ConservativeHome's Seats & Candidates blog

CCHQ must tell wannabe MPs that their chances are slim

One week ago David Cameron invited viewers of Andrew Marr's programme to get in touch and become Tory candidates.  Iain Dale blogged that CCHQ had received 500 to 1,000 expressions of interest.

I hope CCHQ has also told them how hard it will be to get a seat.

When I ran the Conservative Christian Fellowship and met a regular stream of people interested in becoming Tory MPs I like to think I did a good job of putting them off.  I told them horror stories of people who had spent much of their life and wealth pursuing their ambition to reach Westminster.  I talked about the big implications for family life.  I also said that there were many other ways of achieving political change.

In today's Mail on Sunday ex-TV anchor Linda Duberley writes a long article about her frustration at not being adopted by a Conservative Association since Francis Maude helped her become an approved candidate.  As far as I can tell she has only tried for three seats but her anger is obvious: 

"Last Sunday, just when I thought it couldn’t get any more frustrating, I watched David Cameron telling the BBC’s Andrew Marr that the answer to all our political problems was to get more independent, non-political people on to the candidates’ list.  He thought his current list was too full of career politicos and men. I couldn’t help it – I threw my mug of tea at the screen. Was he mad?

Didn’t he realise his list of candidates already has those ordinary folk on it but that very few associations will pick a non-local candidate, particularly one with no experience?  Meanwhile, naive candidates like me, lulled into believing there is a point to joining the list, don’t have a clue how the system works and are destined to spend hours, as I have, neglecting their work, their family and friends for the joys of stuffing envelopes, shoving leaflets through doors and trying to develop a footprint Mr Cameron doesn’t want them to have.

Last year, I had to join the Conservatives before I could go in front of the PAB, at a cost of £225 plus VAT. Now, Mr Cameron says that anyone is welcome, whatever their political background.  How does that work? Will I get a refund?

Also, we are told there is a level playing field. But the past year has taught me that many of the candidates are pre-selected, the procedures a formality.  Even the PAB may not strictly be necessary. I met one candidate who had been invited to compete for a seat before being approved by the board.  Others on the list were openly shocked to hear that I had been delivering pamphlets and canvassing. ‘Why?’ asked one, simply and tellingly.

I’ve written to Mr Cameron expressing my concerns, stating that I believe the Conservative process continues to favour special advisers, single barristers and scions of political dynasties over ordinary people and that he has to decide if he wants Joanna Lumley or Joanna Soap at his side. "

There are ten Tory-held seats currently seeking candidates.  That number will probably double but hundreds of candidates will chase the slots.  CCHQ and David Cameron must tell people that becoming an MP is likely to be a long, hard road and probably fruitless.

Tim Montgomerie

Bill Cash has "very serious questions to answer" about his expenses, says Cameron

The BBC is reporting David Cameron as saying that Bill Cash has "very serious questions to answer" about his expenses.  Meanwhile the Conservative MP for Stone has issued this statement in response to The Telegraph's report:

STATEMENT FROM BILL CASH MP

"Regarding the article which appeared in The Daily Telegraph and other media commentary, I would like to make the following statement:

The tenancy agreement with my daughter was for the period 1 March 2004 to 1 March 2005. It was at a reasonable rent and was cleared by the Fees Office in advance. The flat was also designated as my “second home” in accordance with the rules.

At this time, the rules clearly permitted an agreement of this kind and they were not changed until July 2006. I had moved out of her flat a full year before the new rules came in.

If I had been elsewhere, I might well have had to pay a higher rent and I do not believe that there was any disadvantage to the taxpayer.

I did have a one-bedroom property in Pimlico, but I did not rent it out. I paid the mortgage myself while my son, Sam, occupied it while he was waiting to move into a new home. I did not claim any allowances in respect of that property during the time of my tenancy agreement with my daughter.

I have never exercised my option of claiming parliamentary allowances in respect of my larger home in Shropshire (which for the purposes of the parliamentary allowance system qualifies as a “constituency home” because it is within 20 miles of the constituency boundary) whilst I have been a Member of Parliament and therefore have certainly not made any extravagant or extraordinary claims which others seem to have made.

On leaving the flat at Notting Hill, I stayed in clubs, hotels or with friends when I needed to be in London for parliamentary business. There was, of course, the general election when I had to be in the constituency.

I notified the Fees Office of my movements during that period in accordance with the rules. My staying in these clubs / hotels meant that I was paying less than I would have done if I had been in a rented property at that time. The average per month for the three month period was £612, so the tax-payer was not disadvantaged.

I moved to the flat in Pimlico in August and commenced claiming from the parliamentary allowances in respect of this flat in Pimlico by notification to the Fees Office as required.

My daughter was a councillor in Bridgnorth and was fighting the general election in Salford. She lived at our family home in Shropshire as well as moving around a great deal, including living with her fiancé, whom she married later that year.

Should candidates adopted for hard-to-win seats be released for the new plum vacancies?

There are already ten Conservative-held seats seeking a new candidate for the next General Election.  There will be many more by the time this process has ended.  It's vital these plum seats are filled with good candidates.  All being well they will be Conservative MPs for a long time.

One MP has suggested to me that some of these seats should be filled by candidates already selected for much harder-to-win seats.  This MP believes - correctly - that many candidates would not have settled for their current seats if they had known that the current vacancies would arise.  Rather than say 'tough luck' to them his suggestion was that they be released from their current obligations and be freed to apply for the Tory-held seats.  We need their talents and ability, is his view.

I don't support this.  It's hard on the adopted candidates but there's something not quite right about resigning the seats and people who have put their trust in them.  I also predict that ConHome readers will be impressed by the Best Of The Yet To Be Selected list that we'll be publishing soon. I'm grateful to all the suggestions emailed to me.  There are enough good unadopted candidates to fill the vacant seats.

Tim Montgomerie

There are now ten Conservative-held seats seeking a new candidate

A week ago, I published a list of the five Conservative held seats seeking a new candidate for the next general election.

But a week, as the old saying goes, is a long time in politics and the figure five has doubled into ten vacant Conservative seats after the announcement of five further retirements over the last few days.

So here is an update of all the Conservative held seats which will require a new candidate, taking into account the newly announced vacancies and starting with the safest...

Constituency: Sleaford and North Hykeham
County: Lincolnshire
Region: East Midlands
Retiring MP: Douglas Hogg
Notional Majority: 12,687 (24.2%)
Second place party: Labour

Constituency: Skipton and Ripon
County: North Yorkshire
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Retiring MP: David Curry
Notional Majority: 11,596 (23.4%)
Second place party: Lib Dem

Constituency: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Region: South East
Retiring MP: Andrew Mackay
Notional Majority: 10,037 (22.0%)
Second place party: Labour

So here is an update of all the Conservative held seats which will require a new candidate, taking into account the newly announced vacancies and starting with the safest...

Constituency: Sleaford and North Hykeham
County: Lincolnshire
Region: East Midlands
Retiring MP: Douglas Hogg
Notional Majority: 12,687 (24.2%)
Second place party: Labour

Constituency: Skipton and Ripon
County: North Yorkshire
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Retiring MP: David Curry
Notional Majority: 11,596 (23.4%)
Second place party: Lib Dem

Constituency: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Region: South East
Retiring MP: Andrew Mackay
Notional Majority: 10,037 (22.0%)
Second place party: Labour

Christopher Fraser to step down as MP for South West Norfolk

News reaches me via the indispensable Twitter feed of the Evening Standard's Paul Waugh is to step down as MP for South West Norfolk at the general election.

Mr Fraser came under fire from the Daily Telegraph earlier in the week for his claims on allowances to fund trees for his garden and over the fact that he designated his main home as that in his former constituency in Dorset.

Under fire in his local papers, he put out a statement justifying his claims but was still the subject of stories in his local paper this morning.

However, Mr Fraser is saying that his decision to leave the Commons is not related to the expenses stories, but rather is owing to the fact that he is finding it difficult to juggle family life and his wife's ill health with the duties of being an MP.

He has just issued the following statement:

“I have never sought re-selection for South West Norfolk because I have for some time been seriously considering whether to go forward after the next General Election.  My wife’s ongoing health problems and the major operation that she had last year have made it difficult to juggle my family life with my duties as an MP.

"It has been a privilege to serve South West Norfolk, and I have enjoyed the work enormously.   I hope that I have in some small way been able to make a difference for the people who have come to me for help. With great sadness, I have decided not to seek re-selection for the next election. 

“I pledge absolute support to David Cameron and the Conservative Party, and will work between now and the general election for the Conservative government that the country urgently needs. 

“The Lynn News has seen a complete copy of my ACA claims and reported accordingly.  My decision has nothing to do with this issue.  I, like colleagues, have submitted my expenses to the Scrutiny Committee of the Conservative Party, which I believe is the right way forward.”

Jonathan Isaby

Watford's Conservative candidate pledges monthly open meetings with voters if elected

David Cameron has been suggesting to any MPs under fire over expenses that they should hold meetings with their constituents to explains themselves and engage in a dialogue.

So I am interested to hear that the Conservative candidate for Watford, Richard Harrington (pictured), is keen to embrace this spirit of public dialogue on a regular basis if elected at the general election.

He has declared that he will hold monthly meetings for his constituents as part of making the political process more accessible:

“People have a right to question the actions of their MP. Westminster has become a village closed off to the rest of the country and I want to bust open people’s access to the political process.

“By holding these meetings, people will be able to tell me what I am doing wrong and also give me a chance to explain what we are doing right. This way, I hope Watford will have a louder and wiser voice in Parliament.”

Whilst holding a regular surgery for one to one meetings is pretty standard, I'm not aware that this practice is widespread. Are some MPs already doing this or have other candidates made similar pledges?

Jonathan Isaby

Terry Waite poised to stand against David Ruffley in Bury St Edmunds

The East Anglian Daily Times reports this morning that Terry Waite, the former hostage in Beirut and one-time special envoy for the Archbishop of Canterbury, is actively considering standing for Parliament.

Whilst he only says to the paper that he would stand in a seat "in the Suffolk area", I am reliably informed that he specifically has his sights on the Bury St Edmunds constituency where he lives, which is currently represented by Conservative MP and shadow home affairs minister, David Ruffley.

Mr Ruffley has been featured in the Daily Telegraph coverage of how MPs have used their second home allowances, in relation to claims for bedroom furniture and a television, most of which he had to pay out of his own pocket after the Fees Office advised that it could not reimburse the full costs.

Mr Waite says:

“I am not doing this for any personal ambition and in some ways it is burden. It is something I would do if I thought it was in the best welfare of the country.”

“I think I have considerable experience on both national and international matters and I am still deeply involved in social issues, homelessness and penal questions."

“We need a radical re-examination of the party system and while independents might not have all the answers, they could encourage the reform process and show critical thinking not bound by party dogma or the whip.” 

Jonathan Isaby

A preview of the forthcoming by-election in Glasgow North East

Andrew Morrison, an accountant and Conservative candidate for Glasgow City Council, profiles the constituency of Glasgow North East, where a by-election is due to take place over the summer, once its sitting MP, Speaker Michael Martin, resigns from Parliament next month.

Another year, and yet another key by-election in an area of Glasgow neglected by political parties and their media entourage. By the time polling day in Glasgow North East comes, a year will have passed since the SNP’s John Mason won a totemic victory against Labour in Glasgow East. 

The former stomping ground where Sir Teddy Taylor cut his political teeth, Springburn, is in the heart of Glasgow North East. Once the home to many locomotive factories, the area used to produce approximately 25% of all the trains in the world. Maintaining a theme common to most inner-city areas of Glasgow, the community never quite recovered from the decline in heavy industry and manufacturing.

Glasgow North East encompasses some of the most deprived wards in Glasgow City Council on the basis of a host of typical measurements: the percentage of owner-occupied houses, the number of households with no access to a car, the proportion of people who have never worked or claim benefits are all worse than average compared to the city as a whole. In many respects, the area is even more deprived than Glasgow East.

The Telegraph's Simon Heffer threatens to stand against Sir Alan Haselhurst

9.45pm update: Iain Dale has posted the apology and promise to pay back £12,000 issued by Sir Alan Haselhurst this morning and suggest that Simon Heffer's campaign therefore ends before it even started...

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Simon Heffer, the Daily Telegraph associate editor and columnist, is threatening to stand against Sir Alan Haselhurst, the Saffron Walden MP and Deputy Speaker of the Commons, on an anti-sleaze ticket.

The paper is tonight reporting that Simon Heffer - a regular critic of Cameron from the Tory Right who has also been known to speak on a UKIP platform - will stand in Saffron Walden against Sir Alan if he does not repay the £12,000 in allowances he spent on gardening at his Essex home.

Mr Heffer, currently one of Sir Alan's constituents, writes:

“If he does not, between now and the opening of nominations for the general election, admit error, apologise, pay back the £12,000 and promise to behave, I shall stand against him as an independent. If Sir Alan thinks I am joking, I warn him I am not. I have backers and volunteers. I say this more in anger than in sorrow: we are all angry. Doesn’t he get it?”

Sir Alan could have expected to be a candidate for the Speakership, but the questions raised about his use of allowances are thought to have put paid to such ambitions.

At 71, he is the third oldest Conservative MP and may yet opt to stand down rather than fight another election.

Jonathan Isaby

Diary of a PPC: Richard Graham (Gloucester)

Each week a different PPC provides us with an insight into life as a candidate and gives us a flavour of their own campaign and interests. If you are a candidate and are keen to be featured, please email Jonathan Isaby.

This week - in addition to a Diary from West Worcestershire PPC Harriett Baldwin published earlier -  we are featuring Richard Graham, who is candidate for Gloucester. He will be challenging the sitting Labour MP, Parmjit Dhanda, who has to defend a notional majority of 6,063. You can read more about Richard's campaign on his website.

Monday 18th May

Walk to the station at Gloucester, as I do often early in the morning. The gulls are calling and there’s that lovely fresh May feeling of a day ahead.

This rare tranquility in a candidate’s life is quickly shattered. Sky News rings to ask why there’s a four letter obscenity on my website blog, and did I know that he (the Labour MP) had asked David Cameron to sack me? Pause. I think is this is a nightmare, a late April Fools Day or what? Hoping that some virus hasn't hit the website, I can only say it's a mistake, it's unacceptable, I'm sorry, and it will go immediately. I ring to check if the word is really there. It is. The sentence makes no sense and the offending word certainly isn’t directed at my opponent - but it’s there. I change it to what it should have been (councillor) when updating it late at night. Thought I had saved a draft, but no - I had published. I can only share with other candidates the obvious – you can’t proof read enough.

Various papers and radio grill me and I make calls to apologise to political colleagues, and publish a mea culpa on the web etc. On this day of high political drama at Westminster, with Speaker Martin looking desperately vulnerable, no-one needs this sort of embarrassment.

Diary of a PPC: Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire)

Each week a different PPC provides us with an insight into life as a candidate and gives us a flavour of their own campaign and interests. If you are a candidate and are keen to be featured, please email Jonathan Isaby.

This week we are featuring two PPC diaries, the first of which is here (and the second, from Richard Graham in Gloucester, will follow later). Harriett Baldwin is candidate for West Worcestershire, where sitting Conservative MP Sir Michael Spicer will be standing down at the next election. Harriett, who contested Stockton North in 2005, will be defending a notional majority of 3,053 and you can read more about her and her campaign on her website.

Monday

Andrew Lansley MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health, visits us in Malvern.  As soon as I was selected 3 years ago, I joined the campaign for a new Malvern hospital.  Andrew Lansley was last here in 2007 as part of that effort.  His visit must have made all the difference, as at the end of 2007 it was announced that Malvern would get a new hospital by 2010, on a site that the Primary Care Trust has held for about 30 years. Today he visits the existing hospital to congratulate the Modern Matron, Lyn Ingles and her team, who have opened a Minor Injuries Unit at the hospital this year and kept the hospital clear of infections. He then visits the new hospital building site with the project management team.

I spend the afternoon in Pershore with a team of eight canvassers helping Cllr Ron Davis’s campaign to represent Pershore on the County Council and two of our West Midlands MEP candidates – Anthea Macintyre and Dan Dalton (pictured with me here).

Tuesday

Up to London for a Futurebuilders board meeting. I am Deputy Chairman of this fund which lends money to social enterprises and charities.

Who are the best candidates yet to be selected?

Six MPs have now stepped down since the beginning of expenses-gate.

That means eight plum seats are now needing candidates.

That number may rise to twenty or more if some insidery talk is true.

David Cameron has promised to re-open the candidates list in search of additional people who could fill these seats.

ConservativeHome is putting together a list of the best candidates yet to be selected.

Some of them will be the yet-to-be-adopted original A-listers.

Please email us with suggestions of people for that list.  Please feel free to nominate a friend who you think is impressive or someone who came before your constituency and performed well.  All tips will be treated in strictest confidence.

Tim Montgomerie

MPs Nicholas and Ann Winteron to stand down at next election

Breaking news. More soon.  Between them they represent two of the safest seats in the country.  Six Conservative MPs have now announced their retirement since expenses-gate broke although this may be unrelated.

4.30pm OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Sir Nicholas and Lady Winterton have today announced that they are to stand down as MPs for Macclesfield and Congleton at the General Election.

In a letter to David Cameron, Sir Nicholas said:

"Parliament and my constituency have been my life for almost 38 years (and politics in general for almost 50 years) and in Ann's case for more than 26 years, but when you feel as we do that maybe the years are taking their toll and perhaps we can no longer represent Macclesfield and Congleton with the some level of energy and enthusiasm as in the past, we have reached the conclusion that we should pass the baton to a younger person because both Congleton and Macclesfield deserve the very best."

Full text below.

David Cameron said:

"I completely understand your decision to stand down and appreciate that these must not have been easy decisions to make. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the service, energy and commitment both of you have demonstrated to Parliament and to your respective constituencies. Never before has a husband and wife team served the House of Commons for a total of 65 years and this is something you can both be very proud of."

FULL LETTER FROM SIR NICHOLAS TO DAVID CAMERON

"22nd May 2009

Dear David,

Ann and I have been giving considerable thought in recent months to our future plans. While I remain tremendously involved both in the House of Commons and in my Macclesfield Constituency (and Ann is also much involved too) I am aware that we cannot maintain the hectic pace at which we have lived for nearly four decades and we would like a steadier lifestyle which would enable us to see more of our family, including eight grandchildren, not least at weekends.

Also with all the changes taking place in Parliament and in local government we feel that it is an appropriate time to announce that we do not intend to stand as candidates at the next general election and we will be notifying our Association Chairmen accordingly. However, I would ask that you do not make any public announcement about our decision until we have done this.

Parliament and my constituency have been my life for almost 38 years (and politics in general for almost 50 years) and in Ann's case for more than 26 years, but when you feel as we do that maybe the years are taking their toll and perhaps we can no longer represent Macclesfield and Congleton with the some level of energy and enthusiasm as in the past, we have reached the conclusion that we should pass the baton to a younger person because both Congleton and Macclesfield deserve the very best.

I hope that during the remainder of this Parliament I can help others in returning to the House of Commons itself some authority, independence and integrity over the executive of the day because the House is currently virtually impotent. Our support for the Conservative and Unionist Party is total and we will continue to do all we can to ensure a great victory at the next General Election whenever it comes.

We wish you every success.
Yours ever
Nicholas."

5pm LINKS

The Daily Mail isn't in any doubt why the Wintertons have gone:

The Guardian: "The husband-and-wife Tory backbenchers were last year found to have breached House of Commons rules after claiming £80,000 in parliamentary allowances for a flat owned by a trust their children control. Details of other expenses were also revealed recently by the Daily Telegraph, including a £67 towel rail, an £18 "toilet brush holder" and a £16.99 "loo handle". But party sources said it was unknown whether the expenses furore had played a part in their decision to retire."

The Times: "Mr Cameron described the arrangement as “indefensible”. The claims were stopped in September, after the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee found that they had been in breach of the rules since July 2006. Shortly after the Commissioner’s report last year, Sir Nicholas told his local paper that Mr Cameron’s “mafia” wanted to force him and his wife out, but insisted he was determined to fight the upcoming election for the Tories. With respective majorities of 11,401 and 8,246 in the 2005 general election, Macclesfield and Congleton are solid Conservative safe seats which will fiercly contested."

Video from inside special meeting reveals that Andrew MacKay was monstered by constituents that he claimed were in his favour

Extraordinary video from the Bracknell Forest Standard from inside last Friday's public meeting.  People shout "all of it" when Mr MacKay discusses repaying part of his expense claims.  Attacks on him are loudly applauded including when one constituent says he has "no sense of right and wrong".  He claimed that three-quarters of the meeting were with him.

Every Tory, Labour and Liberal Democrat candidate should watch this video and worry that this will happen to them if they are ever foolish enough to do what MacKay AND HIS wife Julie Kirkbride did.

Tim Montgomerie

'I won't even claim for a packet of HobNobs'

More than 100 Labour PPCs have signed this declaration:

1. As a parliamentary candidate I will subscribe to high standards of integrity, transparency, accountability and financial economy;
2. I seek elected office not for personal gain but to serve the public and our democracy, which I consider an honour and a privilege;
3. I will publish my expenses online within a month of submitting them and publicise them annually in full to constituents;
4. I will hold regular meetings with my community and will regularly report back to my constituency party;
5. I will apply the principle of best value to all decisions I make which involve the use of public money to cover my duties, including for travel and accommodation.

Other than (3) it's a bit vague for me.  Our own candidates are being much more specific as I posted last week.  Here are extracts from some more declarations:

Leah Fraser, Wallasey and Moreton has this on her website:

Brandon Lewis, Great Yarmouth:

• "I will be completely open about all of my expenses and allowances, publishing full details every year.
• I will only claim expenses for costs I have incurred in doing my job as an MP (e.g. travel costs and office allowances).
• I will never employ members of my family.
• I will be a full time Member of Parliament.
• I will act with honesty, integrity, openness and candour at all times.
• I will serve all my constituents, regardless of their politics.
• I will always put the interests of Great Yarmouth first."

David Gold, Eltham:

• "No more expensive furniture paid for by the taxpayer
• No more claims for food and drinks – not even a packet of HobNobs
• No more Ipods, chandeliers, moat cleaning – not even a mop and bucket
• Only claims for expenses directly linked to the work of being an MP – and then only if a receipt is presented....
• Not claim for a second home
• Not claim for my rail fares to Westminster
• Not claim for food and drinks
• Not claim home utility bills
• Not claim for furniture, clothing, massage chairs or anything unreasonable."

Nick King, Mid Dorset and North Poole: "Any accommodation for which MPs claim should be appropriate to their personal need, in other words, enough for one person only.  If they choose to inhabit a larger property then they should only be reimbursed for the expenses they would incur for a one bedroom home.  They should pay the difference in cost themselves. I also fail to understand why there should be any reimbursement for subsistence.  The food purchased for personal consumption, for example, is the same wherever one lives. Finally, I can not see how or why MPs should need to change the designation of where their main home is situated so frequently.  Circumstances may of course change and therefore there may be a need to move home.  I believe that only in circumstances where this is forced upon an MP by either events outside their control or through changes in the requirements of their office should any form of moving cost be reimbursed. I firmly believe that if you are claiming money from the tax payer this should be fully receipted, the claims published and the reason for the claim justified.  This is what I would intend to do if I become your next MP, regardless of the rules in place at that time."

Ben Jones, Halton:

• "Publish online my full voting, attendance, and speaking records from the House of Commons (and all written questions tabled and motions signed)
• Publish online a diary which details where I spent each day (and night) so that the people of Halton can see where I am working on their behalf
• Regularly update my website/blog so anyone can see what I work have been doing
• Publish contact details which include an "out of office hours" number so that constituents could contact me out of normal work hours
• Publish online my annual tax return/details of all my income (including any other jobs/paid appointments/work etc)
• Conduct regular polls/questionnaires of my constituents to find out their views on key issues- this help me decide how to vote in the House of Commons
• Hold regular surgeries at different times and locations in the constituency so it is convenient for my constituents
• Hold regular public meetings to discuss key issues concerning the people of Halton and account for my performance on their behalf- I would not make speeches at this meeting, but take questions and spend my time listening."

Rene Kinzett, Swansea West: "Only employ staff necessary to assist me to represent my constituents, with more resources being spent in the local area to help my constituents directly; I would only claim for the rent of a furnished flat in the Westminster area and for the travel to London and back once a week during Parliamentary term-time. Nothing more, no furniture, no food, no flat screen TVs and no trouser presses."

Tim Montgomerie

Cameron comes to defence of Julie Kirkbride

Speaking on Andrew Marr's programme this morning David Cameron suggests that her position is different from that of her husband, Andrew MacKay, who has been forced to stand down at the next election.

Mr Cameron's exact words:

"To be fair to Julie she does genuinely live in London, that's where her son goes to school, that's her main home and she does genuinely have a home in her constituency on which she claims a second home allowance. So I do think we have to look at that case separately. Obviously there are some questions raised in the papers today about other people living in the house and she'll have to answer those questions. But I do think the two cases are different."

Tim Montgomerie

LISTEN TO MS KIRKBRIDE DEFEND HERSELF AGAINST A NEWS OF THE WORLD STORY:

What is Jonathan Djanogly hiding behind those gates?

One must have sympathy for Jonathan Djanogly – or first impressions would have us feel this way. Quite understandably he tells us that he wanted to protect his family from threats received because of his support for constituents threatened by animal rights activists over their links to the animal-testing company Huntingdon Life Sciences. The gates he claimed for gave him reassurance for his family's safety. Most people would probably think this was a perfectly acceptable expense.

However, on hearing Mr Djanogoly’s explanations and reading The Daily Telegraph’s reporting... ["The Conservative MP also claimed £13,962 for cleaning and £12,951 for gardening at his second home, which did not have a mortgage, in just four years."]... it seems that he could be choosing to focus on the gates to avoid commenting on the potentially far more embarrassing expenditure of £1,600 per month for three undefined staff. Mr Djanogly’s gates are reported to have cost £5,000 yet he has reportedly repaid £25,000 to the fees office following discussions last week. If he has paid back £25,000 this makes him the Conservative MP who has paid the highest amount back to the Fees office.

If the gates cost £5,000 what makes up the remaining £20,000 repayment ?

What were the staff employed to do – were they required for carrying out Parliamentary duties as the Green Book indicates they should be? 

If the answers to these questions cannot be found then Mr Djanagly could be in serious trouble with David Cameron’s scrutiny panel.

> WATCH: Jonathan Djanogly says he 'acted reasonably' in claiming £5,000 for automatic gates at his Huntingdon constituency but is "voluntarily" repaying the money

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Update 28th May: Mr Djanogly has provided ConservativeHome with the following statement:

"Following Daily Telegraph’s claims concerning my use of the MP’s expenses, I say firstly that my position remains that my claims were made within the law and within the rules of the second home allowance scheme.

"The Daily Telegraph article led on my spending the allowance on installing my home gates.   This is incorrect, I paid for the gates and their installation myself.  The receipt in question was actually for repairs.  This is an important point given that the scheme allows for maintenance, but not home improvement.  Was it reasonable ? Yes, I believe that following police security advice received, in connection with HLS related threats to me and an attack on my family, it was reasonable.

"The other main suggestion was that I spent excessive amounts on gardening and cleaning.  There is no question that both items are allowable within the scheme; the question is whether I incurred a reasonable amount.  Sensitive to this issue I asked the fees office what constituted a reasonable monthly amount and then kept within that figure.  Again, by stating an overall four year aggregate figure, the Daily Telegraph confused the concept of paying for (not allowed) garden projects and (allowed) maintenance.  In reality I had a gardener come in weekly to cut the grass and undertake basic maintenance.  So I maintain that I have done nothing wrong.

"However, I do appreciate the public concern with this issue and people’s extreme upset at the abuses of the system.  Not only do I share these concerns but I came to see that they actually go beyond the rights and wrongs of individual receipts.  Not least, I am worried to see how this crisis has escalated to threaten Parliament because of MP’s (mine included) neglect over many years to change the system.  I also appreciate that what I and the fees office saw as reasonable, is now being rejected as such by some.
It was on that basis that I decided, given overall loss of confidence in the scheme, to make no claim in this financial year and also to make no further claims under the second home allowance, until the allowances system has been reformed following Sir Christopher Kelly’s independent review.

"I also voluntarily decided to repay a significant sum to the fees office.  All of these decisions were taken before the Daily Telegraph contacted me.

"Finally, I take this opportunity to state my full support for David Cameron’s strong and principled stand on this issue.  As the Prime Minister has dithered on this matter David Cameron has led and I agree with his and my Party’s absolute determination to respond to people’s concerns and reform the expense system."

Andrew MacKay to stand down at next election

From good source.

I believed this was essential and welcome what followed last night's angry meeting with constituents.

On Thursday I said that his departure was a necessary sign that David Cameron was serious about expenses-gate.

Mr MacKay is the fourth Tory resignation.  Already resigning are Douglas Hogg, Peter Viggers and Anthony Steen.

Tim Montgomerie

5pm: From Fraser Nelson at Coffee House: "Only this morning, Andrew MacKay said that he would stand for election again - but after a conversation with David Cameron he has now decided to stand down at the next election. The open meeting he held had several calls for him to go, and there was talk of a petition. The grassroots momentum was significant. This, make no mistake, is a personal loss to David Cameron who relied on MacKay to be his eyes and ears in the backbenches."

5.20pm: Statement from Andrew MacKay: ""Following a conversation with David Cameron this morning I have decided to step down as candidate for Bracknell at the next general election. I believe I could be a distraction at a time when he is working to get elected as prime minister with the good working majority necessary to take the tough decisions to turn this country around. I hope my decision to step down goes some way to showing my constituents how sorry I am about my own situation. I would never forgive myself if my candidature distracted voters from the key issues and particularly David's rousing call for change. It has been both a privilege and huge fun to represent the people of Bracknell for 26 years. I understand why people are angry. I hope my decision to step down goes some way to showing my constituents how sorry I am about my own situation." (FROM BBC).

Andrew MacKay accused of misrepresenting meeting with constituents

During this must watch video Andrew MacKay MP is accused of misrepresenting a meeting with constituents to discuss his misuse of the second homes allowance:

Mr MacKay suggests that three-quarters of the meeting was with him but, suspiciously, the chairman of the meeting refused to hold a vote of the 350 attendees.

ConservativeHome's trusted source at the meeting filed this report:

"Andrew spoke well at the beginning and was listened to without significant heckling or interruption. He was keen to point out that he had effectively exposed himself rather than being fingered by the Telegraph. He also emphasised that it was only his second home claim that was in dispute and all other expenses were exemplary. The BBC reporting of his comments about reselection is accurate. Most attendees were angry and disappointed but it was all terribly British. It's hard to know how he concludes 75% supported him as at least 90% of comments were against - many remained silent however. Even fierce critics voluntarily acknowledged he is an outstanding constituency MP. There were many long-standing political friends and colleagues of Andrew's who are clearly feeling shocked, let-down and with a real conflict of loyalty - personal friendship v party interest."

Tim Montgomerie

7am on Saturday, Updated with Sky video. The Sky reporter says Mr MacKay was "disingenuous" to say that the meeting was with him:

The FT finds support for an Esther Rantzen-style independent candidate if Mr MacKay refuses to resign.

12.30pm, Another video from local newspaper the Bracknell Forest Standard.

Anthony Steen MP apologises for World at One interview

Further to his BBC Radio 4 World at One interview, the outgoing MP for Totnes issued this statement:

"I apologise unreservedly for some of the comments that I made in the interview on the World at One, recorded last night.  I was so  deeply upset with the situation which resulted in me overreacting.  I am sorry that in the heat of the moment I said inappropriate things that weren’t as measured as I would have liked about the Freedom of Information Act, which I entirely support. I may also have given a misleading impression of the agreement I reached with David Cameron in our conversation yesterday. I will have nothing further to say about this matter."

Anthony Steen blames Freedom of Information Act and "jealous" local constituents for his resignation

Jonathan Isaby broke the news yesterday evening that Anthony Steen won't be seeking re-election as Conservative MP for Totnes.

Just interviewed on Radio 4's World at One Mr Steen blamed Labour's Freedom of Information Act for revealing his use of taxpayer-funded allowances for £88,000 of work on his million-pound Devon mansion.

He said that he had felt no pressure from David Cameron but made his decision after taking soundings and finding his constituents "beside themselves with anger".  He accused them of "jealousy".

"What right does the public have to interfere with my private life?" he asked and replied: "None."

Extraordinary.  You won't be missed Mr Steen.

Tim Montgomerie

(I'll post a Listen Again link as soon as I get it).

2.30pm:

Thanks Simon Chapman for the link!

4.30pm: Anthony Steen's letter to David Cameron:

"Dear David,

I have enjoyed every moment working for the people of Totnes for the last 26 years since they honoured me by electing me their MP in 1983.  Prior to that, I was proud to represent Liverpool Wavertree for nine years.

My wife and I are both grateful for the welcome we have always received from the people of Devon, and it has been an honour to represent them.

I am especially grateful to those who came up to me last Saturday offering me their support in Fore Street, Totnes, where I spent several hours.   We are also grateful to all those who have sent emails and letters of support and encouragement.

However, the country is in trouble.  The job of an MP is to fight for their constituents.  The job of the Government is to fight for their people.

Gordon Brown, and his inadvertent allies - the Lib Dems - have to shoulder a huge part of the blame for the situation our country is in.  The best team to lead this country – to fix the Blair/Brown legacy – is without doubt you and the Conservative Party.

I have sometimes been described as unconventional, but I believe I am a principled and independent thinker, one of my fundamental aims being to stick up for the underdog.  My voting record is virtually identical to yours, including on transparency, and I have always supported you 100%.

Although all my reimbursement/claims were within the set guidelines and parameters, and all accepted and paid by the Fees Office, and made in good faith; I have come to the following decision: -

I will not let my work over the last 35 years, and nine Elections, or your work since you became Leader, be undermined by electing someone other than a Conservative MP in Totnes.

I will therefore not stand for re-election at the next General Election, and I will give the new Conservative Candidate for Totnes my full support and endorsement.

Many have suggested that people should not vote for any of the major parties.  They are absolutely wrong.  People must choose based on policy, vision and leadership.  Brown and Labour have muddled policies and no vision.  Voting for the Lib Dems is a back door endorsement of Gordon Brown’s failed Government.  Voting UKIP is nothing more than a protest vote to be enjoyed for a weekend but with a hangover that could last for up to five years.

I will continue to support and vote for you, your Leadership and above all, your integrity.  I will be campaigning with the next Conservative M.P. for Totnes."

Tory candidate Simon Hoare sets out his code of conduct on expenses

Simon Hoare, our candidate in Cardiff South and Penarth has set out his code of conduct on expenses on his website:

"As your MP I would claim my salary, I would need help to run a constituency office and pay for rail travel from Cardiff to London.  I would use the staff allowance in order to ensure that the most able people helped me deliver the first class service you should expect from your Westminster Representative.  But, no member of my family would work for me.  I'd pay for my family's food, pay for my furnishings, utilities and my council tax - these are my cost of living expenses, not the tax payers.  Any claims would be receipted, sent to the local media and put on our website.  I'd never claim something that, in my heart and in my head I could not justify.  I would try to be an Honourable Member."

Full statement here.

Please email us if you know of other candidates setting the pace on this.

5pm: What some other candidates are saying...

Stuart Andrew, our candidate in Pudsey: "I am not a rich man and paying for accommodation in London and in the constituency is not something I can afford without help—I will ONLY claim for Accommodation in London and not for renovations,new bathrooms or new kitchens. I will NOT claim for things like TV’s, Barbeques etc—If I want one I will pay for it personally. I will use my Office expenses wisely so that I can serve you efficiently. I will publish EVERYTHING I claim for on my website. I will vote that all MP’s salaries and expenses should be dealt with by an Independent outside body and NOT MP’s. I know trust in Politicians is very low—but this is my pledge and I will keep it."

Ben Jones, PPC for Halton: "If I were to become the MP for Halton I would:

• Be completely open about all of my expenses and allowances, publishing full details every year
• Only claim expenses for costs I have incurred in doing my job as an MP (e.g. travel costs and office allowances)
• Provide receipts for all my expense claims
• Not employ members of my family
• Only claim expenses in relation to a second home where they were genuinely incurred, not because I was "entitled" to them."

Paul Maynard, Blackpool North and Cleveleys: "If you want to be an MP, don’t do it because you want to be rich. Public service is a privilege. If you want to ‘make a difference’ as so many say they do, that should be a difference to people’s lives rather than your own bank balance. If you behave otherwise, you deserve everything you get. Merely saying it was ‘in good faith’ or ‘within the rules’ is not good enough. What does that mean? Whose faith? And if the rules aren’t good enough in the first place, that is no defence either."

The five (and counting) vacant Conservative seats seeking a candidate

After three MPs made snap announcements over the last 48 hours that they are stepping down at the next election, that brings to five the running total of candidate vacancies in Tory held seats. I assume they will be seeking new candidates after next month's elections.

They cover a wide geographical spread and the details of each are as follows:

Constituency: Sleaford and North Hykeham
County: Lincolnshire
Retiring MP: Douglas Hogg
Notional Majority: 12,687 (24.2%)
Second place party: Labour

Constituency: Skipton and Ripon
County: North Yorkshire
Retiring MP: David Curry
Notional Majority: 11,596 (23.4%)
Second place party: Lib Dem

Constituency: Woking
County: Surrey
Retiring MP: Humfrey Malins
Notional Majority: 6,612 (14.4%)
Second place party: Lib Dem

Constituency: Gosport
County: Hampshire
Retiring MP: Sir Peter Viggers
Notional Majority: 5,730 (13.3%)
Second place party: Labour

Constituency: Totnes
County: Devon
Retiring MP: Anthony Steen
Notional Majority: 2,693 (5.8%)
Second place party: Lib Dem

I dare say that the county council and European election campaigns in these areas may be getting more mutual aid than usual...

Jonathan Isaby

Anthony Steen confirms he is stepping down at the next election

8.45pm update: David Cameron has paid a warm tribute to Anthony Steen in accepting his decision to stand down, thanking the the Totnes MP for his "many years of public service" and making special mention of his long-standing "desire and ability to stand up for the underdog". Click the letter on the right to enlarge.

7pm update: Anthony Steen has confirmed that he is standing down at the next general election.

Speaking exclusively to ConservativeHome, he said:

"The real issue is who can fix the country, and I have become a distraction, so have decided that I won't stand again. I don't want to risk the party losing the seat, so it is in the best interests of the party that I go.

"There has been no pressure from my association; they have been marvellous: members have been very put out by the Daily Telegraph coverage.

"I've had a very good innings, there's no bitterness, no anger, but as the saying goes, all political careers end in tears."

===

Yesterday Sleaford and North Hykeham MP and former Cabinet Minister Douglas Hogg announced he would be standing down at the next general election in the wake of the furore over his expenses claims for - among other things - moat cleaning.

We speculated that Anthony Steen, the MP for Totnes, could be next - and this afternoon he looks set to make such an announcement.

Sky News is reporting that Mr Steen is expected to announce that he will be retiring at the next general election, citing "authoritative sources".

It was Mr Steen's claims for the upkeep of his Devon home and garden which had attracted controversy, with him telling the Western Morning News that he would be willing to pay back 10% of the £88,000 or so that he had claimed for work including "guarding shrubs from rabbits, inspecting trees, redecorating, moving boulders, fencing off fields, overhauling a private sewage system and sowing grass seed".

Mr Steen has been MP for his Devon constituency (formerly known as South Hams) since 1983, having been the last Conservative MP to represent a Liverpool constituency: he represented Liverpool Wavertree from 1974 until 1983, at which election the constituency was abolished.

The Totnes seat has a notional majority of 2,693 for the next election after minor boundary changes and will presumably select a new candidate in the summer.

Jonathan Isaby

Douglas Hogg standing down at next General Election +++ Anthony Steen could be next

More on Mr Hogg later.

ConHome is also hearing of serious concerns from within the Totnes Association regarding the behaviour of Anthony Steen MP.  Members are "unhappy" I hear and moving towards deselection.  The Western Morning News noted his imaginative use of expenses yesterday:

"TORY MP Anthony Steen last night said he "set his own rules" in deciding to claim almost £88,000 in taxpayers' money for work on his million-pound Devon mansion.

The Totnes MP told the Western Morning News that no-one in the Commons "knew what the rules were" so he took the decision to claim for maintenance and gardening work and not mortgage costs.

Mr Steen ran up a bill of thousands of pounds on work which included guarding shrubs from rabbits, inspecting trees, redecorating, moving boulders, fencing off fields, overhauling a private sewage system and sowing grass seed.

Last night, he said he "got it wrong" and was prepared to pay back to the taxpayer around 10 per cent of the £87,729 he claimed for the upkeep of the house, which the Daily Telegraph estimated was now worth around £1.5 million."

The Telegraph has published a full list of Tory MPs under investigation.

Tim Montgomerie

3.15pm: Douglas Hogg MP's statement (from The Times): "I entirely understand the public anger that has erupted over expenses. The current system is deeply flawed; we parliamentarians have got it wrong and I apologise for that failure which is both collective and personal. In view of David Cameron’s campaign for an early election - which I strongly support - I have decided that now is the time to tell the Sleaford and North Hykeham Association that I will not be standing in the coming election. This will give them time to select a new candidate to best represent local and national interests.”

4pm: Interesting postscript from ConHome regular Graham Smith and member of Douglas Hogg's Association:

"Senior officers of Sleaford and North Hykeham Conservative Association apparently met with Rt Hon Douglas Hogg QC MP on the afternoon of 14 May 2009, following which they issued a statement of complete support for their MP.

At Douglas Hogg's instigation, the officers called an Executive Council meeting for this coming Saturday, so that Douglas could make a short speech and answer questions. This was a positive action.

I understand that George Clark, Association Chairman, intended to move a motion of support for Douglas at the close of that meeting (although another source informs me that the Conservative Agent tried desperately hard to dissuade him from such a course of action).

In any event, that meeting of the Association's Executive Council has now been cancelled.

Whilst there is no doubt in my mind that Douglas has suffered unfairly at the hands of a baying press, the situation was not helped by senior Association officers making such a fullsome statement of support on 14 May 2009. The correct course of action at that time would surely have been to offer local members the opportunity to hear and reflect on the facts of the matter, in order to reach a considered and informed judgment?

In my view, issuing the press release and calling for a motion of support within such a short timescale (and at a time when they should instead have been listening to the concerns of local people) was a serious error of judgment by the Association's senior officers.  Local members will know this is not the first occasion on which the Association's current Chairman has come into conflict with the Conservative Agent and Senior Councillors.

Had Saturday's meeting not been cancelled, I was minded to call for the Association's Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Treasurer to resign.

Indeed, I still think that should happen in order that we may proceed with selecting a new candidate by way of the open primary process. Having been on the receiving end of misleading literature published by another political party, the thought of going into a General Election campaign with the same senior officers at the helm terrifies me."

Local Association officers back Douglas Hogg MP

Officers of the Sleaford and North Hykeham Conservative Association have backed their local MP Douglas Hogg MP after last week's revelation about his expense claims for a moat.

The President and Chairman of SNHCA have issued a statement on their website (click on the image on the right to enlarge the statement).  A peek at the antiquated nature of the Association website will give you all the proof you need that this is a complacent Association.

Earlier today six local councillors backed Andrew MacKay.

Association officers are at odds with the mood of Tory activists in general.  Both Mr Hogg and Mr MacKay were near the top of Conservative members' deselection league table.

Tim Montgomerie

Peter Lyburn's week as candidate for Perth and North Perthshire is dominated by the Scottish Conservative Conference coming to his constituency

Each week a different PPC provides us with an insight into life as a candidate and gives us a flavour of their own campaign and interests. If you are a candidate and are keen to be featured, please email Jonathan Isaby.

This week's diary is written by Peter Lyburn, candidate for Perth and North Perthshire, where the sitting MP is Pete Wishart of the Scottish National Party. Peter needs a swing to the Conservatives of 1.7% to overturn the SNP's 1,521 majority. Perthshire born and bred, he is a manager in an environmental consultancy and recycling business, and contested Dunfermline West at the 2007 Scottish Parliament election. You can read more about Peter on his website.

Monday 11th May

One of the benefits of living further north is the amazing number of daylight hours that we get. It is great when you get out of bed at 6am to have full rays of sun blazing in. This week ahead will be the busiest and dare I say it, one of the most important, in the first steps of my political journey. Scottish Conservative Party Conference is happening in my constituency, in the beautiful city of Perth.

This blog is read by peoples the full length and breadth of the UK and there has long been a myth peddled across the UK that we, as a party, struggle or are not relevant in Scotland. If you were working in the admissions team for conference I can assure you, you would not harbour that view for long. The conference hall will be packed to the rafters - something I am told has not happened since the charged days of Thatcher in our now abandoned City Halls.

On Saturday, I spent the day with my team putting up schoolchildren’s artwork behind the glass of empty shop units on Perth’s high street. It was an idea I had after a few people started complaining about the sorry looking units, especially the Woolies store. Anyway, this morning was spent putting the artwork back up after the ‘sticky glue’ turned out to be not so sticky. We abandoned the new advances made in adhesives and reverted to good old-fashioned blu-tac. That seems to have done the trick – hopefully!

The expenses row bubbles on. I heard a Tory MP on Radio 4 last week say, as a rule of thumb, you should only claim for items you would be happy to appear in your local press. I couldn’t agree more. My own opinion is that Westminster could learn a thing or two from the Scottish Parliament: a fully published, receipted system.

Evan Price: A busy week on the European campaign trail in Wales - although it's hard to escape the issue of MPs' expenses

Evan Price is Number Two on the Conservative Party's list in Wales at next month's European election. Here he records his experiences on the campaign trail around Wales during a week where MPs' expenses has dominated the news agenda.

The Conservative Party has never won the popular vote in Wales. Labour has won it in every year since 1922. The fact we think we might be able to beat them in the elections to the European Parliament on 4th June is testament to the progress we have made in Wales since our wipeout in 1997.

If we do complete that historic win, Gordon Brown will be the first Labour Prime Minister to ‘lose’ Wales. As an incentive to Conservative supporters there is almost nothing more likely to get them going than that prospect. And with the Welsh economy in the doldrums - having gone backwards in the last 10 years - there is very real anger on the streets.

Sadly that anger is, at least in substantial part, directed at MPs' expenses. During the course of the week this issue has grown to dominate the news agenda like no other political story I can remember. The Daily Telegraph’s disclosures reveal a culture that is, including on the doorsteps I’ve visited this week, unacceptable. The purchase of furniture, furnishings, and food and the so-called ‘flipping’ of the choice between properties for their first home, are the things that anger people the most.

Monday

I jumped on the motorbike to meet Dick Wishart in Llangollen. I changed out of my motorcycle gear and we drove to Flint to meet Francis Maude. Then we drove to Holywell to see a factory owned by Kingspan where they make insulated panels for industrial buildings. This being the Delyn constituency, we met Antionette Sandbach, our PPC (pictured). After some discussions about what the company does and how it does it, we toured the factory. Essentially, the company takes sheets of steel and fixes them on either side of a foam to create an insulating board to be used on commercial premises. It is developing all sorts of other ‘green’ solutions for industrial buildings and it was a very interesting tour.

William Hague gets a golden response from the voters of Gibraltar

Mike Dolley is fourth on the Conservative Party list for the South West at next month's European Parliament election - a region which includes Gibraltar. Here he reports back on William Hague's recent campaign visit to Gibraltar.

Just over a week ago I penned my first article on our South West Euro campaign in Gibraltar. I outlined the history of our involvement and I reported on high profile visits to the Rock by Mark Francois and Michael Ancram. I signed off by pledging to report back on the forthcoming visit by Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague.

Anyone who has ever been involved in organising a visit like this knows just what a challenge it presents. Detail is everything and as I learned in the TA, “prior preparation and planning prevents p*** poor performance”. So William’s visit had to be scheduled and reconnoitred in the minutest detail. And Gibraltar takes its politics very seriously – particularly when anticipating a visit by a man they all expect to be Foreign Secretary in David Cameron’s first Government.

When William landed at Gibraltar airport, the photographers were there to catch him, framed against the Rock in that dramatic pose that anybody who has ever landed in Gib will immediately recognise (The runway isn’t the longest in the world so passengers are normally wide awake as they come down the steps from the plane!). We wanted to maximise use of his time so from the airport he was whisked straight to the Garrison Library where nearly 100 local members, supporters and friends were waiting to welcome him.

Diary of a PPC: Karen Lumley on a week in the battle to oust Jacqui Smith in Redditch

Each week a different PPC provides us with an insight into life as a candidate and gives us a flavour of their own campaign and interests. If you are a candidate and are keen to be featured, please email Jonathan Isaby.

This week's diary is written by Karen Lumley, candidate for Redditch in Worcestershire, where she will be challenging the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, who has been MP for the seat since 1997. Karen stood in the seat in 2001 and then gain in 2005, when the seat was retained by Labour with a majority of 2,716. Boundary changes reduce Jacqui Smith's notional majoirty further to 2,163 (based on the Rallings and Thrasher figures), meaning that Karen needs a swing of 2.6% to gain the seat. You can read more about Karen's campaign on her website.

Monday

The first bank holiday in May. Have had a brilliant weekend at our caravan but now it's back to work with the team in Redditch. I am meeting Betty for lunch today. Betty is one of my “stuffers” and also one of those who organises my ladies' luncheon club. We are looking at a new venue today but when we get there we find that it is closing down! I am really behind Jeremy Hunt's campaign to save our local. I’m afraid that the pub we visited today is yet another victim of this Labour Government...

We have county elections here in Redditch as well as the Europeans so are busy trying to increase our representation. We have an excellent team of candidates and I’m hoping they will all win. We have two out of the eight seats at the moment, so I am hoping for great things. We are out this week with Brandon and Jane and guess what one of the main issues is on the doorstep is tonight? Yes, it’s our MP’s expenses and that bath plug is raised again and again. It saddens me that the public perception of politicians is so low at the moment, especially when I am out with my councillors and council candidates, who all work so hard for their local communities. We have a good team out, as you can se,e and it is a pleasure to be out and about with them.