Jonathan Isaby is leaving ConservativeHome

By Tim Montgomerie
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Jonathan will, in due course, announce his plans for the future but I want to thank him for the three years of his working life that he has devoted to ConservativeHome. He finished his last day of duties for this website last Thursday. Jonathan utilised his huge network of Conservative and political contacts for his time as co-editor of the site. It's difficult to think of any Westminster journalist who knows as many Tory parliamentarians, candidates and councillors. Jonathan is liked across the party and amongst many Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians. His birthday bashes and their journey back to the pop music of yesteryear have become cult evenings for many in Westminster.

Two occasions, in particular, from working with Jonathan will stick long in my memory. One was General Election night (an occasion he helped save) when he was shouting out the importance of a swing in this or that seat before any of the TV "experts". Another was a party at 10 Downing Street where the great and good of the Conservative party were gathered. The next day Paul Goodman and I could each only remember a handful of the attendees. Through the combination of his seemingly photographic memory and an extraordinary knowledge of the Conservative Party Jonathan was able to remember and list the name of nearly everyone who was there - including many of the most obscure. He has greatly enhanced ConHome's coverage of parliament since the time he succeeded Samuel Coates and also created the increasingly popular Gazette page of the site.

All the team will miss Jonathan's contributions and we wish him every success in the future.

Jonathan adds:

"It has been a huge privilege to be part of the ConHome team over the last three years, covering the politics and personalities of the Conservative Party in the run-up to the general election and during the first year of the Coalition. Before coming on board in 2008, I hugely admired how Tim - with the help of Sam - had created such an influential website and as I now prepare to move on to pastures anew, I know that it will continue to go from strength to strength in the months and years to come. All that remains is for me to thank my colleagues Tim, Paul, Matthew, Harry, Bryony and Michelle - as well as Lord Ashcroft and Stephan Shakespeare - for all the the support and comradeship they have shown me over the years and to wish them and the site every success for the future."