ConservativeHome's Seats & Candidates blog

Norwich North by-election will take place on 23rd July

The writ has now officially been moved in Parliament for a by-election in Norwich North on 23rd July to replace Ian Gibson, who resigned in the wake of the Labour Party banning him from standing at the general election.

Conservative candidate Chloe Smith has been in place since January 2008 and you can read more about her campaign on her website. It's certainly good weather for campaigning at the moment, as the picture here of Chloe with MPs Richard Bacon, Alistair Burt and Owen Paterson demonstrates.

But no by-election has been called for the other vacant seat, Glasgow North East, vacated by Michael Martin. It was suggested in this morning's Daily Record that the poll there would not happen until November! I blogged at the weekend about the ludicrousness of the situation whereby people are left without an MP for months on end.

Jonathan Isaby

ConservativeHome research highlights the likely surge in female Tory MPs at the next election

I will be making a presentation at the ConservativeHome Inside Cameron's Conservatives conference this afternoon about the likely new intake of Tory MPs at the next election.

If David Cameron is to attain a working majority in the Commons, there will need to be 326 or more Conservative MPs sitting on the green benches; so given that there are presently only 170 (and falling) sitting Tory MPs seeking re-election, in excess of 155 new faces will need to be elected just to ensure the smallest of parliamentary majorities.

So in all likelihood, more then half of the Conservative MPs sent to Westminster at the next election will be new MPs, making it the most extensive influx of new blood onto the Tory benches in history. And since the party starts from such a low ebb, once those MPs have gained seats from other parties, many can expect to remain there for a generation or more.

And one of the most striking features about the new intake is the number of women who are poised to be among its number. My research - highlighted in this morning's Daily Telegraph - shows:

• 13 of the 17 sitting female Tory MPs are seeking re-election;
• 10 women are standing in notionally Conservative-held seats;
• 31 are contesting seats which are, on paper, in the top 116 targets the party needs to win in order to get that Commons majority; and
• 18 further women are standing in seats further down the list of the top 200 targets.

So at this stage, it would seem that in excess of 50 women can be expected to be sitting as Conservative MPs if David Cameron is to form a government - and that figure could rise to nearer 60 or even more, the bigger the swing the party manages across the country. And it should also be borne in mind that is before the next round of selections in the now 13 seats where a sitting MP has announced their retirement in recent weeks.

I have calculated that since women were first entitled to stand for Parliament nearly 100 years ago, only 65 have sat as Conservative MPs; so it is certainly noteworthy that approaching the same number will be elected to sit on the Tory benches in one go at the next election.

And that will have been achieved, of course, without having resorted to discriminatory all-women shortlists.

Watch this space for further conclusions from my research about the next generation of Conservative MPs.

Jonathan Isaby

4,000 people have applied to be Tory candidates since the list was re-opened

David Cameron revealed at his monthly press conference that 4,000 people had now sent in applications to be Conservative candidates after his call for new people to come forward.

He said that extra resources were being put into the candidates' department and that he was impressed with many of the CVs he had seen himself, coming from people from "a variety of backgrounds and stages of life" - such as midwives, nurses, teachers and so on.

He said that extra parliamentary assessment boards are being planned to process the applicants and he defended opening up the list on the basis that since a number of people had decide to stand down, there were more seats available.

Jonathan Isaby

Diary of a PPC: Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South)

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 Iain Stewart, candidate for Milton Keynes South. Having stood in 2001 and 2005 in Milton Keynes South West - which makes up most of the new seat - he was fast-tracked as PPC soon after the last election. Following the boundary changes, Iain is facing a notional Labour majority of 1,497 against the incumbent MP, Dr Phyllis Starkey.

Monday 22nd June

The alarm bleeps into life at the usual 5.45am. It’s never my best time of day but this morning I’m feeling even more sluggish than normal as I got back home late on Sunday after a flying visit to Scotland for a family event.
 
Most days I get the 7am train from Bletchley into Euston for my day job. I’m a headhunter for Odgers Berndtson, working in Virginia Bottomley’s team. In the current climate, our services are much in demand! Working with Virginia is great fun but also incredibly demanding. She is also an unofficial mentor to me, giving me wise advice on my budding Parliamentary career; and she is incredibly understanding when PPC duties intrude into normal work time.

Today I’m also keeping a close eye on the race to become the new Speaker. I had a vested interest in John Bercow winning; my seat is part of a grouping arrangement with his and, with him contesting the next election as a Speaker candidate rather than as a Conservative, that could free up valuable resources for Milton Keynes!! Seriously, I do wish him all the best in helping to restore the battered image of Parliament.

My other distraction today is trying to get to grips with my new iPhone. I wouldn’t say I’m a technophobe but it took me the best part of lunchtime to work out where to put the SIM card!

I dash out the office at 5.30pm to catch the 5.54pm train back home for a Shenley Brook End & Tattenhoe Parish Council meeting. I’ve been a Parish Councillor for the last four years (not claiming any of the expenses to which I’m entitled!) and it is a rewarding role and gives me a valuable insight into local issues. Mention Parish Councils and most people conjure up an image from the Vicar of Dibley but our Parish serves over 20,000 residents and has a budget of approximately £400,000. Tonight’s meeting covers a wide range of topics from awarding grant to a local youth football team to our future business plan. The meeting finishes at 9.45pm and I get home just in time to catch up with the Speaker election on the news.

Hazel Grove now has the youngest Conservative Association chairman in history

As of last night, Hazel Grove Conservatives now have, as far as I know, the youngest Conservative association chairman in history.

Oliver Johnstone is 18 years old and is currently studying Politics and Modern History at Manchester University. He beats the previous record, which was set by James Wharton, who was 19 when he became chairman of Stockton Conservatives in 2003 (and who is now candidate for Stockton South).

He said on his elevation to the chairmanship last night:

''Becoming an association chairman is going to be a big responsibility for me but I relish the opportunity to work with our activists and supporters who are committed to getting more Conservative Councillors elected and Annesley Abercorn elected as our next MP.''

Meanwhile, Hazel Grove prospective parliamentary candidate, Annesley Abercorn (pictured above with Oliver) added:

''Oliver Johnstone is one to watch. He is a very mature young man who has sound judgment and great organisational skills. This appointment marks a great moment for Hazel Grove Conservatives. I think that Oliver will inspire more young people to join the Conservatives locally and I look forward to working with him in the run up to the General Election."

Jonathan Isaby

Chloe Smith finally has a Labour opponent in Norwich North

The Labour Party this afternoon selected a candidate to stand in the forthcoming by-election caused by the resignation of Labour MP Ian Gibson in Norwich North, where the Conservative candidate will be Chloe Smith, who has been in place and campaigning in the seat since January 2008.

According to the website of the Eastern Daily Press, the red rosette will be donned by one Chris Ostrowski, who is described as an "activist from London" whose connections with the area extend to having studied at the University of East Anglia and been seventh on the list of seven for Labour in the recent Euroepan election in the East of England. He was selected at a meeting of around 50 Labour members.

Whilst claiming that he intends fighting "a positive campign", he said on his selection that he will speak out where he thinks that "the threat of Conservative cuts could damage Norwich or hurt the chances of its people".

A poll published on Friday suggested that Labour are poised to suffer a considerable drop in support and lose the seat to the Conservatives.

Jonathan Isaby

13th plum Tory seat becomes vacant with retirement announcement from Penrith's David Maclean

It has a projected majority of 9,307 over the Liberal Democrats and is one of the most beautiful seats in Britain: Penrith and the Border.

Last night David Maclean MP - former Home Office minister and former Shadow Chief Whip - told his local Conservative Association that ill health would mean he could no longer give England's largest constituency the "full pelt" service it deserves.   Mr Maclean has been suffering from multiple sclerosis for some time.

Earlier in the week Mr Maclean left his hospital bed to take part in the vote for Speaker.

> News & Star report.

David Bull steps down as candidate for Brighton Pavilion to head up policy review

Dr David Bull, the former doctor and TV presenter, has today stood down as PPC for Brighton Pavilion in order to head up a Conservative policy review on sexual health with Anne Milton, the shadow health minister.

He explained:

"I am delighted to have been asked to head up this vitally important matter for the future health of our nation. I have long been concerned about the spiralling rates of sexual diseases in the UK, particularly amongst young people.  It is essential that we find policy solutions to tackle this growing problem before it is too late. This is a very important task which will require detailed work and will have far reaching implications.It will command a considerable amount of my time and coupled with my already busy workload which  will mean that I will no longer be able to make the commitments that is required if we are to win back  Brighton Pavilion. I could not have asked for more help and support from my local association, and am determined to continue to help them secure a Conservative MP at the next election."

Carol Ramsden, chairman of the Brighton Pavilion Conservative Association, added:

"We are very sorry to see David step down, but we are proud he will be leading such an important policy area for the party, and understand the demands on his time. David is a huge asset to our Party, and we are pleased he has pledged to continue to work with us to elect a Conservative MP in Brighton Pavilion at the next election."

Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley welcomed his appointment to the policy review, saying:

"I am delighted that Dr. Bull has agreed to lead the policy review on sexual health. The Conservative Party is determined to make public health policy central to dealing with health policy overall and sexual health is a significant part of that. It will be a challenge, but Dr. Bull's medical expertise makes him well qualified to fulfil this task. His involvement is in keeping with our pledge to found our health policies on a robust evidence-base".

A new candidate will therefore be sought for Brighton Pavilion, who will need a swing of 6.6% to overturn a notional Labour majority of 5,867 from second place. Labour MP David Lepper is retiring, but it is an unusual seat in that the Greens are in a strong third place, with the party's leader, MEP Caroline Lucas, intending to stand there at the general election.

Jonathan Isaby

First poll in Norwich North points to a Tory gain

The writ is yet to be moved for the Norwich North by-election (caused by the resignation of Labour MP Ian Gibson), but there is an expectation that the contest will held before the end of July.

However, today the first poll of the campaign has emerged, which points to the contest very much being a two-horse race between Conservative candidate Chloe Smith (pictured) and a yet-to-be selected Labour candidate, with the Lib Dems and Greens trailing in a fight for third place.

The ICM poll - commissioned by the University and College Union - puts the parties on the following percentages:

Con - 34% (+1 on the 2005 general election)
Lab - 30% (-15)
Lib Dem - 15% (-1)
Greens - 14% (+11)
Others - 7% (+4)

ICM Research conducted the poll in Norwich North between June 19th and 21st.

Jonathan Isaby

Group of Tory voters in Spelthorne seeking to oust David Wilshire

The latest edition of the Staines News reports that a fledgling group of Conservative voters in the Spelthorne constituency are seeking to force the local Conservative MP, David Wilshire, to stand down over his expense claims.

My reading of the article suggests that the individuals involved in the so-called "Conservative Anti-Corruption Group" are not existing party members or activists, so it would not appear to be an attempt to force a deselection vote among party members. Rather, it would seem to be a small movement of rank-and-file voters who have the potential to organise against Mr Wilshire in the run up to the general election, assuming he remains as the Conservative candidate.

He came under fire in the Daily Telegraph for his claiming, among other things, £66.66 on a monthly basis for carpets and curtains for his second home. Further concerns were raised by some locally who felt a second home was in any case unnecessary, since his Surrey constituency is within commuting distance of Westminster.

There was also a suggestion that he was inconsistent in his explanation of what he had claimed for, having previously been quoted as saying: “In 22 years of living in London I have always furnished the flat out of my own pocket.”

He has thus far refused to hold a public meeting to discuss his expenses - as David Cameron has recommended to all Tory MPs - saying he would prefer to meet concerned constituents on a one-to-one basis. 

But he has said that he is "embarrassed, sad and sorry for upsetting people" over his claims.

Jonathan Isaby

Will Sir Alan Haselhurst and Sir George Young be the next Tory MPs to stand down?

Just asking.

Diary of a PPC: Caroline Nokes balances her political life with work and family duties during a busy week in Romsey

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 Caroline Nokes, candidate for Romsey and Southampton North. She fought Romsey at the 2005 election - and was only 125 votes away from gaining it from the Liberal Democrats (who have held it since a 2000 by-election). Re-selected to fight the seat again (now renamed after minor boundary changes), Caroline requires a swing of 0.2% to gain the seat at the next election. She is Chief Executive of the National Pony Society and is married to Marc with a daughter, Tabitha. You can read more about her campaign on her website.

Saturday 13th June

Today starts earlier than a Saturday usually would, with my year old nephew demanding attention at 5am! I was on babysitting duty last night, and spent most of the evening pushing his buggy across fairly lumpy ground during the Romsey Show Farm Walk.  The fresh air does not appear to have made Alex sleep well!

10am – To Hunts Farm Timsbury for the opening of the latest stretch of the Stockbridge to Romsey cycle way.  Marc comes with me, snazzily dressed in his “Help for Heroes” lycra.  He cycled to Paris a couple of weeks ago for the charity, and has become a real cycling convert. Unlike me, I think the last time I cycled anywhere it was with David Cameron.

Midday – Then on to Lee Manor for a Conservative Fundraiser to mark the Queen’s Official Birthday, but only a quick stop for me as Tab, Marc and I are also going to Ampfield Church Fete and East Tytherley Fete. Fortunately I love village fetes, and there are a massive amount of them at this time of year.  Bad for the waistline though, with all the cake.

4.30pm – Quick catch up in Port Solent with some of the other Hampshire candidates. Penny Mordaunt from Portsmouth North has arranged for us to get together to swap campaigning tips. Big thank you to Penny!

Simon Marcus adopted to take on Margaret Hodge (and BNP) in Barking

His selection was overlooked because of the European Elections weekend but Simon Marcus has been adopted for Barking.

He issued this statement:

"I am delighted to have been selected for Barking. Labour have represented Barking for sixty years and it is still one of the most deprived areas in London. Does anyone need more proof that Labour isn’t working? The people of Barking deserve better than a party that talks about about equality, justice and fairness while locking people into state dependency, poverty and social breakdown. Our party has so many of the answers to the problems facing our communities such as failing schools, anti-social behaviour and social mobility that has ground to a halt. Barking deserves to be on the wining side for once and I will do my best to put it there."

Marcus will have his work cut out to oust Margaret Hodge.  She has a projected majority of 11,358 but with the BNP making this seat a top target (they have about 16% of the vote compared to the Conservatives' 18% from the last General Election) anything could happen.

Tim Montgomerie

Thelma Matuk stands down in Walsall South - but will be looking for another seat in the autumn

ConservativeHome can reveal that Thelma Matuk - who has been candidate for Walsall South since September 2007 - stepped down yesterday. Like several other candidates who have resigned since the recession started to bite, she has said that she needs time to "get things back on track" in her trouble-shooting business in these difficult economic times. She told me:

"The recession has been problematical, and since I'm not married I've only got my sole income to support me... I've got to devote some time to my business - I'm going to focus on that for the next four to eight weeks".

It was then that she indicated that she fully intends finding another seat to fight at the next election later in the year.

"I'll start all over again applying for seats in the autumn. I'm still very keen on politics and am very ambitious".

When I put it to her that it might look like she was deserting a difficult seat in order to try and apply to one of the more attractive seats where an MP was retiring and bequeathing a Conservative majority, she denied that this was the case:

"I hope people won't jump to that conclusion... When I was selected nearly two years ago, I couldn't have known that the recession would hit in the way it has".

Three weeks ago, Tim pondered whether candidates adopted for hard-to-win seats should be released for the new plum vacancies, but concluded that they should not.

Jonathan Isaby

P.S. As of 8.45pm this evening, CCHQ had still not removed Thelma Matuk's profile from Conservatives.com, despite having put out the advert seeking a new candidate earlier today... It was removed within minutes of us publishing this post!

A mixed bag of seven seats seeking a candidate

CCHQ has today advertised for a candidate in seven seats. None of the recent retirement seats are included, but there are two where candidates have recently stood down in seats within the top 200 targets.

The deadline for applications is June 29th.

In order of where they appear on the target list, they are:

Dudley North - Conservative target 106; notional Labour majority of 4,106 over the Conservatives. This is where John Perry recently stood down. Sitting MP - Ian Austin.

Walsall South - Conservative target 194; notional Labour majority of 7,910 over the Conservatives. This is where Thelma Matuk stood down. Sitting MP - Bruce George.

Edmonton - Conservative target 251; notional Labour majority of 10,312 over the Conservatives. Sitting MP - Andy Love.

Hartlepool - Conservative target 331; Labour majority of 7,478 over Lib Dems (Con in 3rd place). Sitting MP - Iain Wright.

Sedgefield - Conservative target 364; notional Labour majority of 18,198 over the Conservatives. Sitting MP - Phil Wilson.

Cardiff Central - Conservative target 394; Lib Dem majority of 5,593 over Labour (Con in 3rd place). Sitting MP - Jenny Willott.

Easington - Conservative target 413; notional Labour majority of 18,874 over Lib Dems (Con in 3rd place). Sitting MP - John Cummings (retiring).

(All target numbers and majorities based on the figures compiked by Profs Rallings and Thrasher of the University of Plymouth)

Jonathan Isaby

Ian Taylor MP becomes twelfth Tory MP to announce decision to leave Commons in recent weeks

ConHome has just learnt that Ian Taylor, MP for Esher & Walton, is to stand down at the next General Election.

With David Curry, also leaving the Commons, Mr Taylor is one of the parliamentary party's last EU enthusiasts.  Ken Clarke MP and John Gummer MP will be even more isolated in the next Parliament.

Very popular in his constituency and a leading authority on science and technology, Mr Taylor has campaigned in favour of Heathrow expansion in recent years.

He leaves behind a projected majority of 7,727 over the Liberal Democrats.  There is no suggestion that his stepping down is related to expenses-gate.

Tim Montgomerie

7pm: PDF of Ian Taylor's resignation letter.

Diary of a PPC: Sir John Major supports Annesley Abercorn (and his Routemaster bus) in Hazel Grove

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 Annesley Abercorn, candidate for Hazel Grove in Stockport, Cheshire. The seat was held by the former Conservative Vice-Chairman, Sir Tom Arnold from 1974 to 1997, and it is currently held by Liberal Democrat Andrew Stunell, who has a notional majority over the Conservatives of 7,694. Annesley requires a 9.9% swing to take the seat. Annesley was selected as the Conservative candidate in December 2007, works as an adviser to Oliver Letwin MP and is Chairman of The Bow Group. You can get in touch with him through his Facebook page or campaign website.

Monday

I wake up early to meet Oliver Letwin at Euston station before heading up to the North West of England for one of his Shadow Cabinet regional tours. I am very grateful that as part of his North West tour, he is going to visit the Hazel Grove constituency. As I grab my rail tickets, I’m conscious of the fact that I’m probably one of the few candidates who still qualifies for a Young Person’s Railcard but I am grateful for the discount which adds up quickly through regular train travel between London and Stockport.

It turns out to be a really good day for my campaign. Oliver being here just makes such a big difference. We visit Romiley Primary School where there is a fantastic reception: Oliver has been here before in fact - during the 2006 local elections, the school was threatened with closure and relocation by the local Lib Dem council in order to cope with increasing pupil numbers. A fantastic Conservative campaign to save the school prevailed which was led by our Association Chairman, Cllr Syd Lloyd. When Oliver last came, he was refused entry because it was election time. This time we got in and the local press have shown an interest. The school now has an impressive brand new extension to cope with the increasing pupil numbers. Most importantly, the school has not had to move and the local community around it is in tact.

Later, Oliver and I visit the Furniture Station near Hazel Grove train station who specialises in rejuvenating donated second-hand furniture and kitchen appliances for people on low incomes. A whole house can be furnished for less than £40 and I think the lads there do a fantastic job. On my way out, I spot a redundant 1950s ‘Hoover’ vacuum cleaner that is not fit for purpose. As someone who collects all sorts of weird and wonderful things, I ask them if I could buy it and they say yes!

We then head to Bredbury Hall, a lovely country hotel in the constituency, for a fundraising drinks reception at which Oliver is speaking. As usual, he is very impressive, giving us an insightful account into the state of British politics today and detailed answers to questions from Association members. We raise nearly £1,000 and everyone seems to have had a great evening.

Tories begin Norwich North campaign with attempt to kill off third parties

Within minutes of Ian Gibson announcing his resignation as MP for Norwich North key Tory strategists including Stephen Gilbert, Oliver Dowden and Andy Coulson were in a conference to plot tactics to win the seat for the Conservatives.

Yesterday the Conservatives distributed their first election leaflet across the seat.  See PDF here.

The Tories' first task is to kill off a third party challenge.  The Greens, in particular, score well in other parts of Norwich.  The leaflet contains the chart above and the Conservative candidate Chloe Smith's top message will be that only a vote for her can send the clear message of voter anger to Gordon Brown.

The other thing I like about the leaflet is the byline below In Touch; 'This leaflet has not been paid for by the taxpayer'!

Go to CampaignTogether to register your willingness to help fight this seat.

Tim Montgomerie

10am: I am currently unable to publish comments to this post for some unknown technical issue. I've raised the issue with the California-based blog host and when they wake up (!) I hope I'll be able to approve the comments already left.

BNP plan General Election campaign in Labour heartland seats

Two of Britain's leading authorities on the BNP have written for NothingBritish.com about What The BNP Breakthrough Means For British Politics.

Rob Ford and Matthew Goodwin, both of Manchester University, note that the BNP intend to target Labour seats at the next General Election:

"The forthcoming general election will almost certainly see BNP strategists turn their guns with renewed vigour toward Labour’s industrial heartlands. We now know that the BNP performs strongest in economically deprived areas that have - or are close to - large Muslim communities and where there are large numbers of less skilled and less educated working class males (in other words, traditional Labour Party supporters). The BNP will have been emboldened by their ability to make gains at Labour’s expense, will take comfort from the fact that UKIP have no ‘ground game’ and seldom perform as well in national elections, and so the party will look toward constituencies such as Barking (where they polled 17% in 2005), Burnley, Dagenham, Dewsbury, Dudley North and those around Stoke-on-Trent as prospective sites for a second place finish or, quite possibly, the election of the first BNP Member of Parliament.

Griffin will seek to learn from the mistakes of the earlier National Front (NF), which in the general election of 1979 got ahead of itself by standing over 300 candidates (polling a meagre 1.3 per cent). The BNP are more likely to run a smaller but more targeted campaign focusing on areas where they know they will do well, and drafting in footsoldiers from other areas in an attempt to exploit Labour’s disarray at the grassroots."

Read the full piece here.

Zehra Zaidi records the exhausting - but successful - final week of the Euro-election campaign in South West England

Zehra Zaidi was one of the Conservative candidates for the European Parliament in South West England at last Thursday's election. She records here her final week on the campaign trail and reflects on the results...

Monday 

The final week of the European and local campaign kicked off on my birthday.  Lots of fantastic birthday wishes left me smiling and on a high, but there was no time for celebrating as I headed off for a busy day of Gloucestershire campaigning.

Much of the day was spent in Stroud. Delivering leaflets in Cam & Dursley with the local PPC Neil Carmichael was a lot of fun.  After one final steep climb in the torching heat, we headed to the Old Spot Pub in Dursley for a quick refreshment.  Afterwards, I had a phone-in radio interview for Bristol University Radio to do in my oven-like car.  We proceeded to Stonehouse to canvas for the superb local candidate, John Jeffreys.  The day ended with birthday cake over my laptop – how many emails can you get in a day?

Tuesday

Traffic problems can seriously frustrate one’s day as I found out today.  To make matters worse, my Tom Tom was playing up.  Luckily for me, I love maps and plotted out alternative routes in the good old fashioned way.

The day began in South Gloucestershire at the majestic Tudor House Conservative Club in beautiful Chipping Sodbury.  Whilst delivering and slightly out of breadth, I got a media call (not easy to take in the heat on a pavement holding bundles of leaflets!).  Many residents were out in their gardens and plenty seemed to want to chat about Europe.  One lady asked me what UKIP actually stood for besides one or two simplistic messages and what their MEPs actually did in Brussels? 

Next stop was Kingswood to help Chris Skidmore, the local PPC.  We had a storming delivery session, getting through more than what had been planned.  Chris has put in a lot of hard work in Kingswood and it is showing – some of his campaigns have really hit the nail and the jobs club has been a great success.  I then made my way to Bristol for the last in a series of public hustings - this time at the Counterslip Baptist Church.

Zehra Zaidi was one of the Conservative candidates for the European Parliament in South West England at last Thursday's election. She records here her final week on the campaign trail and reflects on the results...

Nigel Adams: How my website redesign was inspired by candidates running for the US Congress

Nigel Adams is the prospective parliamentary candidate for Selby and Ainsty in North Yorkshire and explains here how he was inspired to get his website redesigned after researching those used by candidates running for Congress in the US.

Any candidate running for public office knows that the internet has become an increasingly powerful tool in communicating with voters.

That’s why I wanted a complete redesign of my standard website template which I had run since being selected as the PPC for Selby & Ainsty in 2006. I gave the job of redesigning my new website to Paul Campbell at Effective Group (UK) and his brief was to ensure that the site should not only look good but also attract the eye of non-political surfers, attract potential volunteers and potential donors.

Because Selby & Ainsty is a reorganised seat, the site also had to be informative. I wanted a blog, but with a difference... so rather than have the usual candidate’s blog of where I’ve been and what I’ve done today, I asked a local young resident, Rachael Hudson, to be the site’s blogger, giving her take on the issues of the day both national and local. Much of the inspiration for the site came from researching and analysing endless websites of US Congress candidates which I thought were way ahead of UK campaign sites.

The 'A' List would appear to be dead

Responding to today's thread on Woking an impeccable source at CCHQ called me to pass on two things:

1. All of the seats selecting in the autumn will be free to choose from the whole candidates list.  Members of the 'A-list' (or Priority List to give it its official title) will not have any special advantage.  Associations were once required to pick from the List but there have been a series of dilutions of it - ending in today's news.
2. The delay to selections will allow local people in Woking, Bracknell, Wycombe etc to apply to join the candidates list, pass a Parliamentary Assessment Board and so on.  It will also give CCHQ the space to process the reported 3,000 people who have expressed interest in becoming a Conservative candidate since David Cameron re-opened the list.

In response to (1) I asked if this meant that the "A list' had been "retired"?  It will still exist in a filing cabinet somewhere in CCHQ, I was told, but that filing cabinet isn't going to be accessed.

Tim Montgomerie

Totnes selection formally announced

This from CCHQ:

"ADVERT: TOTNES

The attached constituency has already been finalised by the Parliamentary Boundary Commission.
 
To establish the composition of the constituency, go to the Parliamentary Boundary Commission website - www.statistics.gov.uk/pbc <http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pbc>.  The degree of change is indicated, minor means the index of change is less than 20%.
 
·       The closing date for these applications is midday on Thursday 18th June.
Only applications on the standard CV template (attached to this email) will be accepted.  Please only use this template.
·       Those applying will need to demonstrate a strong local link to the constituency.
·       Once complete, TWO signed copies of the standard CV template should be sent to Gareth Fox at The Candidates Team, CCHQ, 30 Millbank, London    SW1P 4DP.  You must comply with this.
·       The CV should run to no more than 2 pages plus the 1 page cover sheet. Any CVs submitted that do not meet this criteria will not be accepted.  These pages must be stapled.
·       Please do not include photographs on your CVs.
·       Emailed CVs are not acceptable, they must be hard copies.
·       Please make sure you put the correct postage on your envelope."

All other selections are on hold until September although Woking is protesting at that.

Diary of a PPC: Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire)

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 Andrea Leadsom, who is candidate for the newly-created constituency of South Northamptonshire. Andrea fought Knowsley South in 2005, but in this new seat she will be defending a notional Conservative majority of 11,356 in a seat which takes in a chunk of the existing Daventry constiruency and a smaller part of the current Northampton South seat. You can read more about Andrea and her campaign on her blog.

Monday 1st June

What a week! The countdown to the County and European Elections and also exam week for my sons.

Made a vast breakfast for my three kids then rushed through the school run so I could get to Moreton Pinkney in time for a coffee morning with one of our five East Midlands MEP candidates, Fiona Bulmer.  I was her host for the day - our job was to knock up our Conservative supporters and to make sure they turn out on Thursday.

After an hour at the coffee morning with local supporters, we set off to canvass the village in glorious sunshine. The expenses scandal is the biggest topic on the doorsteps, but we were also asked by a lady farmer what Conservatives would do about Bovine TB...

A quick lunch in Towcester followed by an afternoon of canvassing in West Hunsbury that left us sun burned and footsore.  We certainly found a lot of Conservatives who were considering voting UKIP in frustration at European red tape as much as the MPs' expenses scandal.

Time to nip home and kiss my 5 year old, Charlotte, good night before going out to the opening of the new Towcester Medical Centre.  Had a good chat with the senior GP partner about our recent campaign to stop the Government from taking away GPs' right to dispense from their surgeries.  He told me that the dispensing income is essential in order to cover the costs of the surgery.

Then it was time to pick my sons up from tennis at school and hear about the first exams, before a snatched meal with my husband, Ben, and onto the computer to blog my fury about the D-Day celebrations – how can France hold a commemoration of the Normandy landings without inviting the one Head of State who actually served in WWII?

Woking Conservatives want to defy CCHQ and select a candidate now

Last week I reported that all selections for the current vacancies (bar Totnes) would not be taking place until September.

Yet now I learn that the Conservative Association in Woking - where Humfrey Malins announced his intention to retire in March, long before the current expenses furore - is set to refuse to go along with the request from CCHQ to delay their selection, a timetable for which was decided long go.

Party Chairman Eric Pickles is due to go to Woking tomorrow to meet the Executive in order to argue the case for the delay; but I learn that the association chairman has informed him that they want to carry on with the selection in July as was originally planned and that there is no point in him travelling to Surrey to meet them to discuss the matter any further.

I gather that an advertisement had already been approved by the candidates' department some time ago which the local association still wants to be sent to everyone on the candidates' list (and not just the A-List) this week, as originally planned.

Whilst party HQ is evidently keen to leave the selection until new applicants to the candidates' list have had the opportunity to attend a parliamentary assessment board, the Woking Conservatives fear that a delay is an unnecessary risk: the already selected Liberal Democrat candidate is a long-standing local councillor and there was only a small gap between the two parties at the most recent council elections, so they believe the new Conservative candidate should have the longest possible run-in to the next general election campaign.

I also gather that some local activists were annoyed at being told local candidates would not be considered under any circumstances if they hadn't already been through a parliamentary assessment board by April - only to now be asked to delay so that people with no record of involvement in the party whatsoever can put their names forward.

Jonathan Isaby

Calling all Candidates: Please send us your biographical details!

As part of the Inside Cameron's Conservatives conference being held on June 30th, I am taking a close look at those hoping to be part of the new intake of Conservative MPs after the next election. Candidates should have received two emails from me so far and most have now responded; however, there are still a few who have doubtless been busy with election campaigns over the past couple of weeks who are yet to reply to me.

So candidate, please can you email me as a matter of urgency with those details (and the photo) which I am seeking, else your entry in the brochure which attendees at the conference will receive will be startlingly devoid of information.

Below is a sample of how the information will be presented:

Nick de Bois - Enfield North

Personal Details
Selected: 1999
A-List: No
Joined Party: 1992
Mentor: David Burrowes MP
Previous candidacies: Enfield North 2001 and 2005
Birth: February 23, 1959 (Ely, Cambridgeshire)
University: CCAT, (now Anglia Ruskin University) Cambridge HND Business (1981)
Career: PR Officer Advertising Standards Authority, 1982-84; Rapiergroup, 1984 to present (led management buyout in 1989)
Local Government experience: None

Contact Details
Website/Blog: www.nickdebois.com
Email: [email protected]

Policy Interests
Foreign Policy and Security; Health

Profile
Nick de Bois looks set to show that persistence pays off as he aims to take Enfield North at third time of asking, with a little help from the Boundary Commission, whose new boundaries would have delivered a Tory victory in 2005. He joined the party when his then local MP, John Major, was Prime Minister, and served as association deputy chairman in Huntingdon in the mid-1990s. The principal shareholder of an award-winning communications company which has 80 employees and offices on both sides of the Atlantic, he hopes to bring to Westminster his experience of the business world, having witnessed - and felt the effects of - both success and failure over the years. He explains: "I am driven by my sense of good fortune and a wish to ensure others grow up in an environment where they too can have genuine choice and opportunity."

Jonathan Isaby

By-election imminent in Norwich North

Our candidate in Norwich North, Chloe Smith, is about to be in for a busy time.

Labour hold it with a projected majority of nearly 7,000 but the current Labour MP Ian Gibson has been expelled from the Labour Party for questions over his use of expenses.

He has just announced he is going to stand down immediately and there are rumours he may stand as an independent.

Poor Stephen Gilbert isn't going to get his post-elections rest!

Paul Goodman MP to step down at the next General Election, fearing Parliament is becoming a shadow of its former self

Paul Goodman MP, former editor of The Telegraph's comment pages and currently a frontbencher within the local government and communities team, is to stand down at the next General Election.  Mr Goodman entered the Commons in 2001 and now sits on a projected Conservative majority of 7,012 in Wycombe.

He sets out his reasons in an article for his local newspaper and you can read the full text on ConservativeHome.

Cynics will think there is something suspicious in Paul Goodman's decision, perhaps related to expenses.  I don't think so.  He first talked to me two years ago about stepping down and confirmed his inclination a few weeks ago.

Paul Goodman uses his resignation article to explain that he is concerned about the drift of politics.  He is worried that the quality of Parliament is in decline. He sees power flowing from backbenchers to the executive. From politicians to the media. From Westminster to the European Union.  His particular new worry is the effect of expenses-gate on the quality of MPs:

"In an act of class revenge, Gordon Brown pushed through Parliament a measure compelling the remaining MPs who work outside the Commons to declare how often they do so. The result will be a further injection of state power and patronage – the medicine that’s sickening the patient.  The spirit of the age is against citizen MPs, and few working business people, lawyers, doctors or (dare I say) journalists will long be able to fend off local rivals who pledge to be in the Commons for every hour of the working day.  Parliamentary elections threaten to become dutch auctions of self-abasement. In the short term, a few older MPs with knowledge of the outside world will hang on.  But some of their younger colleagues will quietly leave, telling friends that the loss of earnings is the last straw that broke the camel’s back – on top of vanished privacy and declining status.  And, in the medium term, much future talent will avoid the Commons altogether. Most of the rest will get in quick, scramble to the top, and get out quicker.  The Commons’ institutional memory will weaken.  With a number of exceptions, MPs will become cowed and toiling drudges.  Fringe eccentrics and exhibitionists will provide the necessary colour, coming and going like celebrity TV contestants – briefly exalted and just as swiftly toppled.  Forceful Ministers and effective Select Committee Chairmen are likely to be scarce in such a shallow pool."

I wish Paul had stayed to fight to reverse the trends he sees but I understand his decision.  The Conservative Parliamentary Party will lose a very good man.  I enjoy Paul Goodman's company a great deal.  He was a great encourager to me personally in the early stages of the social justice agenda.  By all accounts he is a good constituency MP.  I'm particularly disappointed that he won't become the minister for community cohesion.  Paul is one of the party's leading thinkers on Muslim affairs and he'll leave a big hole in our capacity to get on top of issues of integration and extremism.  I wish Paul and his wife Fiona, and their young son, every success in what comes next in their life.  I'm very sad at his decision.

Tim Montgomerie

> Before Paul Goodman's decision there were already ten Tory-held seats seeking a new candidate.

> 6/6 update: Iain Dale talks to Paul Goodman MP about his resignation.

Cameron says Bill Cash has given "full answers" to questions over expenses

Mr Cash - put under pressure by David Cameron last week - will repay £15,000. Letter below from David Cameron to Bill Cash (click to enlarge).

Rupert Matthews: An eve-of-poll update on the European campaign in the East Midlands

Rupert Matthews is a freelance historian who has had over 150 books published. He is one of the MEP candidates for the Conservative Party in the East Midlands Region.

It has been a real rollercoaster of a ride these past few weeks on the campaign trail. We got off to a flying start with successful campaign launches in each county and effective campaigning from every association – then everything got overtaken by the whole expenses thing.

I won’t bother rehearsing what has been going on with that as I am sure that most readers of ConservativeHome have been out on the doorstep and know full well the strong feelings of the public. However, it is worth delving a bit below the surface to try to figure out what is going on with voting intentions. I will therefore highlight two incidents from the East Midlands that might give clues as to what may happen tomorrow.