ConservativeHome's Seats & Candidates blog

'One in three Tory candidates are political insiders'

The Independent reports that the number of career politicians is set to soar.

"The survey of 782 prospective parliamentary candidates – 94 per cent of those selected so far, excluding sitting MPs – shows that a greater than ever number are political professionals who have gone directly from university into a political job as an adviser or researcher, and are now in line to enter Parliament. One in three Conservative candidates are employed full time as party functionaries or MPs' advisers despite David Cameron's efforts to recruit more MPs with real-life experience of the world over which they will legislate."

The Independent's Andy McSmith continues:

"The one cheering piece of news for Mr Cameron in the survey compiled by the New Local Government Network think-tank is that 46 per cent of Conservative Party candidates have a business background compared to just 18 per cent of Labour candidates."

Jonathan Isaby listed Tory candidates' business experience last week.

Paul Goodman MP cited the professionalisation of politics as a key reason why he would be leaving the Commons at the next General Election: "Few working business people, lawyers, doctors and, yes, even journalists will long be able to fend off rivals who pledge to be in the House for every hour of the working day to scratch away at the hamster wheel."

Tim Montgomerie

Welsh Assembly Member calls for positive discrimination to favour women candidates

In a post on WalesHome.org, Conservative Welsh Assembly Member for Cardiff North Jonathan Morgan has called for positive discrimination in favour of women candidates at the next Welsh Assembly election.

In echoing the position of Welsh Assembly Conservaitve leader, Nick Bourne, he also backs a move akin to that controversially used to rank the lists for the European Parliament elections - for which in some regions men who topped the regional ballot found themselves ranked lower than women who had won less support from members.

Mr Morgan writes:

"There is no doubt that our party has a poor record in its selection of women candidates. The Assembly group has been under-represented for far too long. In the elections in 2007, our current group was just 90 votes away from being an all male club. For a party that champions equality and wants to prove that it is in touch with the modern world, this is unacceptable. My party, at its grass roots, is dominated by active, enthusiastic and politically astute female members but, for whatever reason, not enough seek selection as candidates and few are adopted.

"While attitudes are slowly changing, there are still antediluvian tendencies within local associations and frankly the party simply cannot afford to wait for a Noachian conversion. We need to change the rules to ensure more female candidates are selected in first place.

"My personal preference as an initial move forward is for the first available slot on each regional list be offered to a female candidate. While there maybe some party members who will view this as a step too far, I feel we can no longer pursue a programme of positive affirmation just to increase the pool of would-be female candidates. We need to get them selected."

Needless to say, I beg to differ with such a proposal - as, I imagine, would most ConservativeHome readers.

Jonathan Isaby

Non-postal open primary announced for Skipton & Ripon - and Bracknell

The Skipton and Ripon Conservatives have confirmed that they will select their new candidate using an open primary - although by way of a public meeting rather than the all-postal ballot as used in Totnes (at a cost of £40,000).

Association chairman Richard Hughes has announced that any member of the electorate in the constituency can register to attend and vote at the selection meeting, which will take place in Skipton on Saturday 26th September:

“No matter who you usually vote for, this is your opportunity to hear from and then pick the man or woman who will fight to be our next Member of Parliament. Our selection process is the most open and accountable of any political party and, as a result, we are confident the right person, who can represent the entire community, will be selected.”

Any eligible voter should email the association if they wish to register to attend.

Skipton and Ripon is one of a number of safe seats for which applications were opened last week (closing next Thursday).

11am update: Of the other seats in the current tranche, Bracknell will, like Skipton and Ripon, have an open primary whilst Dudley North will select via a special general meeting of its association. The decisions on selection methods for the other seats are yet to be anounced.

Jonathan Isaby

Richard Harrison selected for Easington

Richard Harrison has been selected to contest Easington in County Durham.

A past national vice chairman of the Conservative Rural Action Group, Richard took on a dairy farm after leaving school and has now grown it into a successful and diverse rural enterprise, including food production, food processing, commercial and residential property. He recently founded a residential care farm, with a care provider, and is working to provide care and vocational training, including animal assisted therapy, to young people. He has a keen interest in Latin American dancing and is a former cha cha cha national champion.

Easington has been held by Labour since its creation and although sitting MP John Cummings is standing down at the next election, his successor as Labour candidate, Grahame Morris, will defend a notional majority of 18,874 over the Liberal Democrats, with the Conservatives closely behind them in third place. As such It is, on paper, the safest Labour seat in the country.

Heather White: Making the right impression with the people that matter

Today we publish the second in a series of five articles aimed at budding candidates from Heather White, the professional relationship expert and networker extraordinaire who founded Smarter Networking (whose website also includes more free networking advice).

> Last week: Developing and executing a networking strategy

This is the second instalment in my series regarding successful networking for new prospective parliamentary candidates, and probably the most important of them all. Indeed, you can plan and prepare until the cows come home but it is the impression that you make on the people that matter which will leave a lasting impression. It is important that you hit the ground running and appear personable, trustworthy, friendly and someone who gets things done.

Doing the leg-work

As mentioned last week, devising a strategy in advance of going out and meeting new people is worthwhile if you are keen to track your progress and ensure that you meet all of your ‘targets’. This may seem slightly mechanical, but in the world of politics – especially to those only just involving themselves in it – contacts and effective networking are the vital qualities the successful people in this field possess.

Once you have a plan in place, and events to attend, try and find out who will be at each event and prioritise to the single event you plan on going to that day. Don’t think about the future, just relax and look forward to your immediate engagement. Look at who will be attending and try to realistically limit the amount of people you wish to speak to – other than those you already know – to four or five. These needn’t be the most influential or important people at the event, but as long as their association is useful to you then they’re most definitely worth it.

Once you have an idea of your ‘top five’, try and dig a little deeper and ask yourself these questions:

Conservative candidates with experience in business

Over the last few weeks we have published a variety of lists, categorising a number of the next generation of Conservative MPs - the candidates fighting Tory-held or top 200 target seats at the next general election.

There was much demand among readers for a list of those with business experience, which I have attempted to compile below.

It is by no means an exhaustive list of all of those who have worked in the private sector, but rather seeks to identify those who have found themselves making decisions about hiring and firing people etc, having set up or run a business themselves, been involved in running a family business, or held a senior position in a larger business.

If you are a candidate and feel that I should have included you in the list below, please email me.

Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty, pictured right)
Philip Allott (Halifax)
Guto Bebb (Aberconwy)
Tom Biggins (Telford)
Andrew Bingham (High Peak)
Nick Boles (Grantham and Stamford)
Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire)
Conor Burns (Bournemouth West)
Neil Carmichael (Stroud)
Mark Clarke (Tooting)
Diana Coad (Slough)
Oliver Colvile (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport)
Richard Cook (East Renfrewshire)
Kevin Davis (Yeovil)
Nigel Dawkins (Birmingham Selly Oak)
Nick de Bois (Enfield North)
Richard Drax (South Dorset)
Peter Duncan (Dumfries and Galloway)
Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones (Chippenham)
George Eustice (Camborne and Redruth)
Sian Flynn (North Cornwall)
Mark Formosa (Taunton Deane)
George Freeman (Mid Norfolk)
Lorraine Fullbrook (South Ribble)
Richard Fuller (Bedford)
Mark Garnier (Wyre Forest)
Keith Girling (Bassetlaw)
Richard Graham (Gloucester)
Helen Grant (Maidstone and the Weald)
Ben Gummer (Ipswich)
Richard Harrington (Watford)
Rebecca Harris (Castle Point)

Alex Story runs a half marathon and spends the rest of the week continuing to pound the streets of Wakefield in his campaign to be the town's first Conservative MP since the 1930s

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 Alex Story, who has been candidate for Wakefield since June 2007. Aside from having represented Britain at the Olympics as a rower, Alex has worked as a financial journalist and an investment banker. Although Wakefield has not elected a Conservative MP since the 1930s, favourable boundary changes mean that Alex now requires a swing of 8.8% to overturn the notional Labour majority which will be defended by the Labour MP, Mary Creagh.

Friday 14th August

Arrived in Wakefield on the 10am train for a meeting with my agent. The Alan Duncan story is running its course and the public aren’t in the mood for anything that sounds like MPs being unremorseful. And neither should they be. They make life on the doorstep immensely difficult at times because they can’t sensibly be defended.

Our meeting at the Wakefield party's Zetland Street HQ mainly involves dealing with mail and the inevitable glut of conference fringe invitations. By afternoon we are out on the street in Crigglestone with a few activists for a canvassing session. We have been doing this for over two years now and we really enjoy it. It never ceases to amaze me how much we learn from people.

At 7pm we are back at Zetland Street for a meeting with local councillors about how the campaign is going in their individual wards and how resources will be used over the remainder of the campaign. It goes well and there is general agreement. By 9pm we are in “Harry’s Bar”, the Real Ale drinking HQ of the Wakefield campaign team. I can’t really drink too much as I have a half marathon to run in eleven hours time...

Alan Scard apologises for 'attractive women' remarks

Further to my earlier post Alan Scard, Gosport Party Chairman has issued this statement:

“This was a tongue in cheek comment and I apologise unreservedly if it’s caused any offence. As a proud parent of two girls the last thing I would ever want to do is say something sexist. We will choose the best person to represent Gosport young or old, male or female entirely on merit.”

You can watch Mr Scard make his remarks two minutes, thirty seconds into the video below:

Tim Montgomerie

Gosport Tory Chairman happy to adopt woman candidate if she's attractive

The Telegraph has the story:

"Alan Scard, the Chairman of Gosport Conservative Association in Hampshire, is selecting a candidate to replace Sir Peter Viggers as the local MP at the next election. Sir Peter announced that he would quit Parliament after The Daily Telegraph disclosed he had attempted to claim £1,645 in parliamentary expenses for a floating duck house. Asked whether he was happy to support efforts by David Cameron, the Conservative leader, to put more women in Parliament, Mr Scard said: "If they are attractive, yeah I would go for it." "I know it's a sexist thing to say," Mr Scard told Channel 4 News, "but you could get the blokes saying 'Oh you know, I would vote for her because she's really attractive'." However, on reflection, he added: "But then the other women say 'Oh I don't like her, she's too attractive'."

It's a shame Sir Peter didn't buy a dog house. We could put Mr Scard inside it. Inside it for a very long time.

Tim Montgomerie

Want to be the candidate for Bracknell? Macclesfield? Woking? Etc. Apply now!

CCHQ have this afternoon announced nine more seats that will be open for candidate applications:

1. Bracknell
2. Dudley North
3. Macclesfield
4. Penrith and the Border
5. Sleaford and North Hykeham
6. Skipton and Ripon
7. South West Norfolk
8. Woking
9. Wycombe

All but Dudley North (which objected to CCHQ quotas) are Tory-held.

The deadline for applications will be 3rd September.

That Bromsgrove is not on the list will fuel suspicions that CCHQ is co-operating with Julie Kirkbride in her hope to stay as the seat's MP.

Eric Pickles, Party Chairman, will be overseeing the shortlisting for these seats in the latest centralisation of selection power by CCHQ.

Tim Montgomerie

James Gray MP has David Cameron's "strong support"

Two-and-a-half years ago James Gray MP won a readoption vote after months of speculation about his treatment of his ex-wife but his critics have never given up.  Recent questions about his use of expenses and the fact he got remarried threatened to reignite constituency upsets.  A report in this morning's Western Daily Press will give Mr Gray some breathing space, however.

Mr Cameron issued a statement: "James Gray is a hard-working member of Parliament and a valued member of the team at Westminster."

Desmond Swayne MP, the Tory leader's long-serving Parliamentary Private Secretary, added in a message to Mr Gray: "You should be well assured of the leader's strong support."

The Western Daily Press report is not online but you can download a PDF here.

Tim Montgomerie

Tories seek to 'decapitate' Ed Balls, Ben Bradshaw, Alistair Darling, John Denham, Jim Murphy and Jack Straw

The Liberal Democrats may not have succeeded in 'decapitating' key members of the Tory leadership at the last election (Charles Kennedy had hoped to oust David Davis, Michael Howard and Theresa May) but the Conservatives, says The Telegraph's Andrew Pierce, are hopeful that tactical voting and some extra resources could defeat six of Labour's leading faces:

1. Ed Balls, Schools and Families Secretary who has a projected majority of 9,784 in Morley and Outwood and the Tory chosen to operate the guillotine is beer and sandwich Conservative Anthony Calvert.
2. Ben Bradshaw, Culture Secretary, who faces the formidable Hannah Foster and her bid to overturn a projected majority of 9,208.
3. The Chancellor, Alistair Darling, who is defending a projected majority of 7,242 from Jason Rust in Edinburgh South West.
4. John Denham, Local Government and Communities Secretary, defending a majority of 8,484 from Royston Smith in Southampton Itchen.
5. Jim Murphy, Scottish Secretary, in East Renfrewshire is facing Richard Cook.
6. Jack Straw, Justice Secretary, has a projected majority over the Conservatives of 8,016.  Michael Law-Riding is our candidate in Blackburn.

This may be something of a summer season story about this but Andrew Pierce has a quote from a "senior Tory source":

“Certain Labour Party big beasts, and they know who they are, are already experiencing more activity on the ground from us. We are going to make Ed Balls and Alistair Darling and some of their ministerial colleagues feel very uncomfortable. They will not only be fighting their most difficult general election campaign on a national front in two decades but they will also have really tricky contests in their own constituencies.”

The Conservatives are keen to force Labour MPs to spend as much time as possible defending their own backyards and distract them from more strategic campaigning.  I'm not convinced about wanting to oust Ed Balls, however.  He would be a leading champion of Brownite factionalism in Opposition.

Tim Montgomerie

Heather White: Developing and executing a networking strategy

Today we publish the first in a series of five articles by Heather White, the professional relationship expert and networker extraordinaire who founded Smarter Networking (whose website also includes more free networking advice). She has tailored this series for budding candidates - although much of the advice will be relevant to anyone in the political sphere. Today she considers how you should develop and execute a networking strategy; next Wednesday she will give advice about how to make a good impression with the people that matter.

The recent expenses scandal and the proposed departures of many MPs, has left many people considering whether to step into the political ring. For some, this is a completely new area and for others it is something that has been dabbled with over time. Moving further than just a toe in the water is not as simple as turning up at your local association though, it requires some serious planning.

While there are obstacles to overcome such as getting CVs together and Parliamentary Assessment Boards (PABs), there is a much wider plan that needs to be instigated if this is a serious career option.

As the founder of Smarter Networking, a company that helps people improve their networking skills, you would expect me to promote the value of building and maintaining good contacts. However it is not just about getting more friends on Facebook or increasing the entries in your phonebook – quality not quantity is the key here.

Ensuring that you are a successful and effective communicator is absolutely crucial when meeting people and determining how they can help influence your future career. It is not just about what you say or how you project yourself but finding out what you need to know and assessing how you are being viewed.

So in the first of my series in improving your networking skills, I am covering how to approach developing and executing a networking strategy.

Politics is one of the most obvious ‘who you know not what you know’ environments out there. It is important, because of the sheer number of people involved in political life from party members, constituents, donors and the upper echelons of the party itself (especially as you get to the dizzy heights of actually being an MP), that you prioritise when you first start out. Knowing who may help and hinder is as important as knowing what to say or what not to say.

Richard Hunt selected for Walsall South

After Thelma Matuk controversially stood down as candidate for Walsall South in June (she said she needed to focus on her business for four to eight weeks, but intended seeking a new seat in the autumn), a new candidate for the constituency has been selected in the form of Richard Hunt.

Richard is a 51-year-old single father to two teenage daughters who is Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of a multinational manufacturing company. He contested Barrow and Furness in 1997 and was a district councillor in Hart (in Hampshire) between 2000 and 2006.

Walsall South has been held for Labour since 1974 by Bruce George, who will defend a notional majority of 7,910 over the Conservatives: Richard requires a swing of 10.4% to take the seat.

Jonathan Isaby

Former Welsh Woman of the Year Karen Robson selected for Cardiff Central

Last week the Conservatives in Cardiff Central selected Karen Robson as their candidate to contest the seat at the next general election.

A former Welsh Woman of the Year (in recognition of her work on disability rights), Karen fought the Cardiff South and Penarth constituency at the 2007 Welsh Assembly election, achieving a swing of over 5% from Labour to the Conservatives. Originally from Durham, she has lived in South Wales for over a decade and has worked for a variety of public sector and community-based organisations seeking to help disadvantaged people.

She says of her politics:

"My passion is speaking up for those who don’t have a voice... This year my interest in voluntary work and making a difference took me to Rwanda with another 104 Conservative volunteers... I’ve worked with voluntary organisations and charities for many years and am frustrated that the key work they undertake isn’t always acknowledged, nor supported by the Government... My passion is ensuring that everyone is given the opportunity of fulfilling their potential, that when we think of improving services or our quality of life we think of the least advantaged first. My priority is Social Justice."

Cardiff Central had a Conservative MP until 1992, when it was won by Jon Owen Jones for Labour; he held the seat until 2005, when it was gained by Jenny Willott for the Liberal Democrats. She will defend a majority of 5,593 over Labour.

Jonathan Isaby

John Bradley: How Conservative social action is making a difference in Glasgow

John Bradley is the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Glasgow Central.

David Cameron remarked after his first walkabout in Glasgow as Tory leader how delighted he was not to be headbutted. This was not a slight on the good people of Scotland’s biggest city – this was a self-deprecating nod to the fact that the Conservatives have, for many years, not been very popular in Glasgow.

I was not so lucky as the party leader. The first time I went leafleting in Glasgow, I made a schoolboy error. I started at the bottom of a block of flats, and worked my way up. This meant that by the time I came down again, the residents at the bottom of the building knew there was a Tory in there. Unfortunately one resident threw a leaflet back at me wrapped around dog excrement – so I suppose it was natural that when I embarked on social action projects in the city it began with environmental clean-ups. After all – the less mess in the street, the fewer potential missiles to be aimed at me!

And what a transformation occurs in a community’s perception of politicians when they engage in local projects.  Oliver Letwin said recently that it’s a delusion to imagine most people are concerned with detailed policy. Perhaps he has a point. In Glasgow people are most concerned about things that affect their daily lives – like the litter in their streets and graffiti on their garden walls. Social action in a community like that is a no-brainer. You have to get involved. And it is incredibly satisfying. Bringing in local communities, and seeing their delight at what all of us have achieved at the end of a day’s work is simply magnificent.

John Lamont MSP selected for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

Tuesday 2.30pm update:

John has confirmed that, in line with David Cameron's previously stated position, he would resign from the Scottish Parliament in 2011, if he is elected to Westminster:

"David Cameron says that anyone holding a dual mandate must "give up the other seat at the first available electoral opportunity". I am not taking anything for granted, but if I am elected as a Conservative MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk I will step down as an MSP at the next electoral opportunity - the Holyrood elections in 2011."

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Following the recent resignation of previously-selected candidate Chris Walker, Conservatives in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk yesterday selected John Lamont MSP to contest the seat at the next general election.

John needs a 6.5% swing from the Lib Dems to win the constituency (which he also fought at the 2005 general election) and take his seat at Westminster. Significantly, at the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, it was John who won the Roxburgh and Berwickshire seat (which makes up more than 60% of this Westminster constituency) on a swing of no less than 9.4% from the Lib Dems. He is currently the Shadow Minister for Community Safety at Holyrood.

He said on his selection:

"I am greatly honoured to have been selected as the candidate to represent the Borders in Parliament. I promise to continue to work as hard as I possibly can to stand up for the Borders on the issues that matter to local people.

"It is important to note that regardless of whether I am at Westminster or the Scottish Parliament, the service that I provide to my constituents will not change. I will continue to hold surgeries throughout my constituency; my office in Hawick will remain; I will continue to distribute regular newsletters; I will continue to knock on doors; and I will continue to live in Coldstream. The letters after my name might change but nothing else will."

If John is successful in his bid to win the seat from Michael Moore at the general election, he will be the third Conservative MSP (after Ben Wallace and David Mundell) to be elected to Westminster.

Jonathan Isaby

Alan Wright hits the ground running in his first full week as PPC for Hartlepool

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 Alan Wright, who was selected as candidate for Hartlepool earlier this month. Alan is Hartlepool born-and-bred, with a high local media profile as a former BBC presenter in the area and as a columnist in the Hartlepool Mail. He now runs his own media consultancy business and is an accomplished after-dinner speaker. He will start in third place, with Labour MP Iain Wright currently enjoying a majority of 7,478 over the Liberal Democrats.

Sunday August 9th
It’s been a full four days since my (pleasingly) unanimous selection by the Hartlepool Conservative Association and it’s been a whirlwind ever since. We made the front page (and most of page 2) of the Hartlepool Mail last Thursday and the response since has been fantastic. I’ve even had a complaint from my local Civic Centre that their switchboard is melting with calls from well-wishers who want to talk to me. There’s obviously a belief around that PPCs automatically get an office suite and a team of staff supplied by the local council – dream on.

Bit of time off today with a trip out in glorious sunshine to Durham County Cricket Ground with our two grandsons, Joshua (9) and William (5). They love it – cricket coaching, a picnic in the park next door, and then watching the big match. William (pictured) soon gets into the swing of raising his 4 and 6 boundary card at frequent intervals. I love coming back here to the Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street. In a previous life in the early Nineties, I was Chief Executive here when we built the new ground. Then, it was just a pitch and a portakabin; now it’s a glorious international ground. Even better, three Durham lads (Collingwood, Harmison and Onions) are in the England team – even though they are getting roundly stuffed by Australia. Without the Durham set-up though, they may never had aspired to the top.

Anne McIntosh facing deselection vote in Thirsk and Malton

Back in November 2006, Anne McIntosh was selected to fight the newly created seat of Thirsk and Malton, which takes in part of her own disappearing Vale of York constituency after forthcoming boundary changes.

To win the nomination for the seat, she surprised many observers by beating John Greenway, the sitting MP for Ryedale, who currently represents two thirds of the new constituency.

However, it would seem that relationships with her senior activists have hit something of a low, since news reaches me that an extraordinary general meeting of the association has been called for Wednesday 2nd September to consider the following motion:

"That this General Meeting of Members of the Thirsk and Malton Conservative Association do hereby deselect Anne McIntosh as their Parliamentary Candidate for the forthcoming Parliamentary General Election. "

It comes not long after two other Conservative MPs (Richard Ottaway and Anne Main) successfully fought motions from their associations over their continuing as the parliamentary candidate for their constituencies - although in this case I understand that there is no connection with allegations about the MP's use of parliamentary allowances.

One well-placed insider tells me that it is a case of relations between Anne McIntosh and her association officers and executive members having "irretrievably broken down", and that things have come to a head with the decision to push it to a deselection - although there is a reluctance on the part of those behind the motion to discuss further details.

I called Ms McIntosh for a reaction at lunchtime on her mobile and she told me that she would call me back "in an hour" on a landline. She is yet to make that call, more than three hours later, but I will add her reaction, if I get it, and any other developments as they emerge.

Further updates appear below...

Leyton and Wanstead PPC Edwin Northover welcomes the prospect of Harriet Harman's husband being parachuted in to contest the seat for Labour

There has been much speculation in the papers (here for example) over the last few days about the Labour Party parachuting in Jack Dromey to replace Harry Cohen (who is retiring from the House of Commons) as the party's prospective parliamentary candidate for Leyton and Wanstead. Dromey is the deputy general secretary of the Unite trade union, a former Labour Party treasurer and husband of Harriet Harman.

Edwin Northover, the Conservative candidate (pictured) has just been in touch to say that he would welcome this prospect:

"The Labour Party just don't get it. Harry Cohen is standing down over criticism of his enormous expense claims and the Labour hierarchy are considering parachuting in Jack Dromey of all people! Yes, this is the same Jack Dromey that, despite being the Labour Party's Treasurer, claimed he knew nothing about the loans-for-peerages scandal. It is the same man that claimed he knew nothing of secret donations to his wife through proxies. And it is the very same man that remortaged his house to the tune of £40,000 to finance Harriet's bid for the deputy leadership: £40,000 which she "forgot" to declare.

"Labour can't trust any locals to stand in this seat as Waltham Forest Labour Party is disintegrating. But if they think local voters will choose Harriet Harman's husband to prop up her leadership campaign then they're more divorced from reality than we thought they were."

Jonathan Isaby

 

Martin Bell and Terry Waite forge alliance to target Alan Duncan and MPs with a "dodgy record" on expenses

Terry Waite has already said he is considering standing against Bury St Edmunds' Conservative MP David Ruffley as an Independent. Now today's Mail on Sunday reveals that the former hostage has teamed up with Martin Bell in an effort to target Alan Duncan - the MP for Rutland and Melton and Shadow Leader of the House, who had to apologise this week for saying (in a secretly-recorded video of private comments) that MPs are forced to live on "rations" and are treated "like s**t".

Mr Bell - who ousted Neil Hamilton in Tatton in 1997 and sat as an MP for one term - has not said that he would necessarily stand himself, but discloses that he and Mr Waite are setting up "an unprecedented network of independent parliamentary candidates" to stand in seats where the sitting MP has a "dodgy record" on expenses.

Hazel Blears, the ex-Communities Secretary and MP for Salford, is also a target in their sights, with Mr Bell suggesting that up to 25 "local hero" candidates could run in seats across the country. He summarised the conditions for an independent candidate to be successful thus:

"You have to be well-known...you need a good cause and a flawed incumbent".

Jonathan Isaby

Selection procedure agreed for candidates in Northern Ireland

At the beginning of the year, I wrote about how the party would be seeking a broad range of candidates to stand in Northern Ireland under the joint Conservatve-UUP banner which saw Jim Nicholson elected at the European election.

Since then, new applicants to the candidates' list from Northern Ireland have been attending parliamentary assessments boards - including one held in Belfast itself - and the selection process continues apace.

A joint statement from the chairmen of the Northern Ireland Conservatives, Tim Lewis, and the Ulster Unionist Party, David Campbell, now indicates how the selections will proceed:

"The process for selection is one in which the memberships and constituency associations of both parties will play a key part. In accordance with the agreement reached between both parties, selections will run on a twin-track process. Both the Conservative Party and the Ulster Unionist Party will embark on procedures, in accordance with their own rules of selection, which will result in all Conservative and Ulster Unionist associations presenting a shortlist of one candidate each for consideration. The shortlist of candidates will be subject to the agreement of both Party Leaders. All successful candidates at this stage will be considered by the Joint Committee, which will determine the final list of the preferred candidates. Special meetings of the Ulster Unionist Executive and the Northern Ireland Conservative Area Council will then ratify all candidates."

In other words, each party will separately go through a process in each of the eighteen constituencies to select one person as its shortlisted nominee for that seat, with the Conservative and Ulster Unionist Joint Committee agreeing which eighteen of those 36 names will appear on the ballot papers (subject to each party's governing body approving that decision).

At the European election, Jim Nicholson topped the poll in five of the Westminster constituencies, which augurs well for the general election and, as previously stated, any MP elected under the Conservative and Ulster Unionist joint banner will take the Tory whip and be eligible to serve in a David Cameron Government.

I have long been excited about this deal with the UUP and look forward to being able to report news of candidates being selected over the coming weeks and months.

Jonathan Isaby

Anne Main MP faces deselection vote this evening... AND SURVIVES

The result will be known at about 10pm.  We'll record the outcome then.  My one source tells me she is likely to survive but the Association is divided.

10.05pm: Anne Main has survived the attempt to deselect her.

10.25pm: A very good inside source tells me that Mrs Main's victory was emphatic; 144 140 votes to 20.  The Chairman and officers who instigated the deselection will now lose their posts.  Local supporters of Main will be urging CCHQ to raise the threshold for triggering these kind of contests.  They worry that the negative publicity surrounding the internal dissent has been a massive gift to the St Albans Liberal Democrats.  

Tim Montgomerie

Scottish Tories choose ex-Sunday school teacher to fight clean and honest campaign in Glasgow North East

Friday update: Today's Scotsman hints at potential clashes between Ruth and the SNP candidate, David Kerr, contrasting the facts that she is a lesbian and he is an member of Opus Dei.

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Former Sunday school teacher, Territorial Army volunteer and journalist Ruth Davidson has been selected as the Conservative candidate for the Glasgow North East by-election.  The seat - vacated by the Speaker - has not been contested by the Conservatives since 1997 when our candidate won 6% of the vote.  The SNP's David Kerr is expected to be Labour's main challenger for the seat. 

She has kicked off her campaign with this pledge to fight honestly and cleanly:

"I, the undersigned, pledge in the Glasgow North East by-election campaign:

• To show by our actions that politics need not be a dirty game, but can be a clean and positive activity, engaged in genuinely for the good of all.
• To tell the truth about what we stand for and have achieved, and about what others stand for and have achieved.
• To refrain from personal attacks.
• Not to mislead the public about who is doing well and about who is likely to win in these elections.
• To make only honest and reasonable promises.
• To fight a clean, positive and honest campaign around the issues that concern the people of Glasgow North East.
• To be honest about public spending, and not to scaremonger in ways that may frighten the most vulnerable members of our society, such as children and elderly people.
• To take money only from organisations and individuals whose motives in giving us money we do not have reason to suspect.         
  

We encourage voters:

• To expect from us decent and honest behaviour, as candidates and as their elected representatives.
• To ask Parties operating in this by-election whether they have signed up to the Pledge or not, and, if not, to encourage them to do so.
• And to help us enforce this Pledge, by reporting truthfully to us and to the media any apparent breaches of it."

Michael Crick predicts a record-breaking 140 to 150 MPs of all parties will step down

The previous record number of retirements at a post-war General Election was 1997 when 117 MPs stepped down.

The current number of announcements is already 102.

Newsnight's Michael Crick notes Eric Pickles' prediction that 17 more Conservatives will go.  He suggests 30 to 40 more retirements from the Labour Party.  Adding in a few Liberal Democrats, Irish and other MPs he gets to 140 to 150.  Some, he says, predict the fall away may get to 200.

Read Crick's full analysis.

UNCONFIRMED: Michael Ancram set to step down

ConservativeHome has learnt that Michael Ancram, MP for Devizes, is likely to announce his retirement imminently - perhaps even today.

If confirmed Mr Ancram will leave behind a projected majority over the Liberal Democrats of nearly 11,000.

A Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office during the beginning of the peace process, Mr Ancram helped William Hague steer the Conservative Party through the very difficult early years of opposition as a popular Party Chairman.  In 2001 he stood for the Tory leadership, warning against Michael Portillo's candidacy as an attempt to fight stardust with stardust.

He has not been uncritical of David Cameron's leadership in recent times and has courted controversy by advocating talks with Hamas and through his own expense claims.

Eric Pickles recently said he expected fifteen to twenty more Tory MPs to retire before the next General Election.  We can hope that these others will follow Mr Ancram's lead and step down in good time for a successor to be chosen and to 'bed in'.

More soon.

1pm: The Telegraph has confirmed our intelligence.

4pm: Michael Ancram's statement:

"I have for the past six years successfully been on medication for coronary problems. I have however recently had to consider the effects of the pressures of another five years of parliamentary and constituency duties upon my health.

"I have also taken into consideration the fact that I will be almost 65 at the time when the Election is likely to be held. I have reluctantly concluded that for the sake of my family and myself the time has come for me to stand down.

"This has not been an easy decision. I speak for my wife Jane as well when I say that the seventeen years during which I have represented the Devizes Constituency in Parliament have been the happiest and most fulfilling of our political lives.

"We have appreciated with genuine affection all in the constituency who have unfailingly treated us with courtesy and warmth even if politically we did not always see eye to eye.

"I hope they will feel that I have worked conscientiously for them as I have always tried to do, even when I was heavily involved in the peace process in Northern Ireland or as Conservative Party Chairman or indeed when I travelled a good deal as Shadow Foreign Secretary and Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

"It goes without saying that until the Election I will continue to work as before, both in Parliament and locally, for all my constituents.

"Thereafter it is Jane's and my intention to share our time between Scotland and Wiltshire so that we can maintain the many friendships we have made over the years and continue to enjoy Wiltshire life.

"This is a sad day for Jane and me and we thank everyone for their understanding."

Tim Montgomerie

Carnivals, canvassing and tackling binge-drinking all feature in this week's diary from Caroline Righton, PPC for St Austell and Newquay

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 Righton, who has been candidate since Decmber 2006 for the newly created Cornish marginal of St Austell and Newquay, which comprised parts of three existing seats - Truro and St Austell, North Cornwall and South East Cornwall. She is not up against an incumbent MP and at the elections in June this year, the Conservatives were marginally ahead of the Liberal Democrats. You can find out more about her campaign on her website.

Saturday August 1st

The weather sets the agenda and torrential rain has made everyone involved in tourism fretful. Mark and I get up early and help serve breakfast to sodden cliff-top campers. Later, our day will end with an incognito walkabout in Newquay to see the problem of late-night revellers.

In between we canvass with regular teams in St Austell in the morning and Newquay in the afternoon. I love canvassing. It’s the most affirming “what it is all about” bit of the job. We do a couple of hours every day. You can’t come away from canvassing in any doubt about whether you are doing well or not, especially in Cornwall, where people are very political and very un-apathetic.

Canvassing sessions take a theme. This morning it is ‘faith” and I’m asked several times if I am a Christian? I am. Where do I worship? All over, but especially on the beach in the early morning, walking the dog. In the afternoon, in Newquay – it’s Europe and whether Mandelson wants Blair to be EU president.  

At lunchtime we drive across from the south to the north coast dipping into St Dennis village Garden Show. St Dennis is in the heart of Clay Country and has a strong community. We’ve recently fought off the imposition of a huge mass burn incinerator on the edge of the village. Today though that threat is not present and young and old provide produce, bakes and makes.

Later we witness Newquay at night. Local residents feel under siege as the town’s population grows from 21,000 to more than 120,000 and local services such as police and fire struggle to cope. The town is at the frontline of a national epidemic of binge-drinking and we see youngsters trying to buy booze when they are clearly under-age. I feel for the staff in shops and bars dealing with abuse and as a mother I worry about the safety and health of the lads and lasses heading out on the town, clearly with their drinking heads on. I worry too about Newquay’s reputation taking another kicking from the national media as it seeks a solution.

The fight for the Yorkshire marginals

Earlier in the week I wrote about how the party is targeting seats in the South West of England.

Today, the Yorkshire Post focuses on the battleground constituencies falling within its jurisdiction, most of which fall within West Yorkshire. The party currently holds just one seat in that county - Shipley, gained by Philip Davies in 2005.

And of the target seats which would deliver a Tory majority of the Commons of around 40, all but three of the thirteen constituencies in the Yorkshire and the Humber Region are in West Yorkshire:

3. York Outer
21. Colne Valley
24. Calder Valley
58. Cleethorpes
69. Brigg and Goole
76. Bradford West
80. Halifax
82. Dewsbury
95. Leeds North West
100. Keighley
107. Elmet and Rothwell
111. Pudsey
133. Batley and Spen

(NB Figures based on notional results calculated by Professors Rallings and Thrasher of the University of Plymouth and including some newly-created seats)

The Yorkshire Post contrasts how the parties are funding their campaigns in these crucial seats:

Anthony Steen to continue reporting to David Cameron on the issue of human trafficking

At the beginning of this week, Anthony Steen's successor as Conservative candidate for Totnes, Sarah Wollaton, was anointed after winning the all-postal Open Primary.

But whilst the Totnes MP will be leaving the Commons at the general election, David Cameron has paid particular tribute to his work on the issue of human trafficking - he founded and chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the subject - and has asked him to continue reporting to him personally on the issue.

David Cameron's letter to Mr Steen is as below (click to enlarge):

Jonathan Isaby

Neil Mahapatra selected for Sedgefield

Conservatives in Tony Blair's former constituency of Sedgefield have selected Neil Mahapatra to contest the seat at the next general election.

Aged 29, Neil studied Biological Sciences at Oxford, where he was President of the Union, before embarking on a career in investment banking. He was later a Fulbright scholar at Harvard, where he attained an MBA and was captain of the debating team. He now works for a family investment office specialising in making investments in fast-growing companies in Europe and Africa, whilst on the political front he has experience working for Andrew Mitchell and the shadow DfID team and has twice taken part in Project Umubano in Rwanda.

Sedgefield has been represented for Labour since the 2007 by-election by Phil Wilson, a former aide to Tony Blair, who won that contest with a majority of 6,956 over the Liberal Democrats. 

Neil said on his selection:

“It is an honour and a privilege to be selected for Sedgefield, and I will not let the Conservative supporters in the area down. As Tony Blair’s former haunt, the constituency has traditionally been a Labour heartland - that should change: at a time when the North East has been ignored by the Labour party (GDP is lower than anywhere else in the UK), it’s important to help voters in Sedgefield understand that the Conservatives represent a compassionate, viable alternative that can really focus on regenerating the area and creating jobs. I look forward to the campaign.”

Jonathan Isaby