A-List D-Day

In line with existing policy on the candidates' list, the Conservative Party has decided that it will not publish the names of the individuals who are on the new A-list.  ConservativeHome will attempt - from tomorrow - to publish a rolling list of those people who are told today that they are on the list of priority candidates (background here).

If you know of people who are on the list please email [email protected].

Comments

[Sean Fear]

Are they allowed to tell you if they're on the A List?

[James Turner]

Surely we can be certain that (newly-elected Cllr) Margot James, Nicholas Boles and Sayeeda Warsi are on the list, given their appointments?

Plus I'll be really disappointed if Esther McVey isn't given another crack at Wirral West.

[Suggestion]

Oh great. Another CH attempt to hurt Conservative candidates. Now informed guesses will be published and CCHQ will think that person has told all and sundry that they have qualified for the list. A black mark against a possibly innocent candidate. Further, your doughty band of headbanging dinosaurs who did not attend the PABs, did not attend the Priority Interviews, and who, as demonstrated ad nauseam on the GoldList blog, are very happy to pass judgement on fellow Conservatives they know nothing about based on a paragraph or two, will then carp about them here - giving quotes that the press can use as representing Tory "grassroots" criticism of likely Tory PPCs at the next election.

I know I said I would not post again. But I simply have to register my disgust at how you are treating fellow Conservatives who have made this list and most likely will be keeping their counsel about it.

[Sean Fear]

Being on the A List seems a mixed blessing in one way. I understand that you are expected to apply for almost every seat that comes up. Yet a sensible candidate must know that are some seats which are not suitable for him/her.

[Deputy Editor]

Informed guesses? Huh?

You're right though, CH would truly feel fulfilled if it managed to hurt Conservative candidates and the Conservative party...

[Suggestion]

Sam, come on. You post 'Jane Smith is on the A list'. Jane has not told anybody, the news has leaked. Now it looks to Central Office like Jane is boasting. Meanwhile, your hardcore non-Tory multi-posters like Chad and James etc start writing "Jane Smith. JANE SMITH!!! Why her? She's just a TV executive parachuted in with no real commitment or talent etc etc." Did they attend Jane's PAB, hear her speak, see her deal with the exercises, demonstrate her commitment to the party? Were they there when she aced her PL interview? No. They weren't. But they'll feel free to call her a no-talent puppet Cameroon or whatever who is about to be foisted on an innocent constituency. And the press, who'll be running lots of 'Tories gnash teeth' stories, will be using CH as proofg.

OK, I'm finished, but you guys publishing the names of people on this private list and exposing them to your anti-Cameron motlety crew is just flat out wrong and divisive.

[James Maskell]

I can understand why the Party wont publish the A-List. Would it be possible for the Party to say which constituencies are able to choose from the A-List?

Best of luck to those awaiting results. There are going to be a lot of people upset if they dont get in. To them, my advice is to carry on fighting. I have serious doubts in the integrity of this system to get the best candidates possible. If you think theres been injustice in your interview, then contact Tim and Im sure he'll help you air your grievances (anonymously if necessary).

[Sean Fear]

Suggestion, having done some 'phoning around, it seems that people who have succeeded, and failed, to get onto the list, are quite prepared to talk about it. That suggests that they are not required to keep it confidential.

[Chad]

Suggestion,
Calm down. I'm not in the least bt interested in who is on the list, and you may have noticed that I stopped taking part in the gold-list votes and discussions when I left the party.

I think your criticsm of CH on this issue is unfounded.

[James Maskell]

Well, Chad and me part of the hardcore non-Tory multiposters, anti-Cameron motley crew! It used to be me and James Hellyer, it seems now that James has been kicked into touch and Chad's joined the team! Does this make me the leader of the motley crew? Can we get badges?

I dont do this as a personal thing against Cameron or to harm the Party. In fact I think Im doing the honourable thing by quitting the Party and saying what I think. Politics has a lack of candour and true free thinking is something that is restrained. I feel I am doing the right thing. If you disagree then fair enough, lets argue the points, but lets not go making out I am doing this out of spite.

[Loyal]

I agree with Suggestion. There's a big difference between candidates talking amongst themselves and this information being posted online where their candidatures will be chewed over with a combination of hysteria and envy. I have been amazed and repelled by the bile and unpleasantness that has accompanied so many gold list posts and see no way in which this behaviour has furthered the Conservative cause.

[James Maskell]

Also the comment about the treatment I might give those who appear on this site is a bizarre one. When on the Goldlist site have I done that? When have I described any candidate on this site as a "no-talent puppet Cameroon"?

Lets not forget you mentioned me and Chad before we had commented on this thread. If you are to make comments personally about us, at least justify them.

[Chad]

I have been amazed and repelled by the bile and unpleasantness that has accompanied so many gold list posts

It's amazing, as I have said before, the most popular gold-list candidate was Fiona Bruce, who also happens to have been chosen by the party using an open primary.

Many of us have clearly noted that the success of this approach that led to an excellent candidate like Fiona being chosen should be replicated to actually put in place the fine words of Built To Last that clearly states that communities not central control brings equal opportunity.

If you are just a Priti Patel cheerleader ingoring all the comments from those who had first hand experience, then don't worry, I'm sure she'll get picked and achieve an ever bigger swing against her than she *achieved* last time.

[Sean Fear]

Perhaps, it would be best if any item about A List candidates was kept strictly factual, and comments about individual candidates were prohibited.

I'm sure there are people on the List that we will have strong views about, but it would be best not to publish them.

[Biodun]

Suggestion's criticism is not at all unfounded.

Take a look at the gold list threads.
Even those who had larger numbers of Yes voters still had a disproportionate amount of negative, personal and subjective messages posted about them.

Also, on the last A-list thread, we had one anonymous person pretending to be several people who had gone for an A-list interview and "they" were all criticising the process and complaining that everything was biased against them.

The potential for sabotage is just too great.

What is the reasoning behind posting the list of A-list candidates?
Is it to build up the ones we like, tear down the ones we don't or just satisfy curiousity?

If it is just a curiousity isuse, why not post the list of ALL approved candidates instead of just the priority list ones?

[michael mcgough]

Now is the time for all the CLASS A candidates to come out of the closet.

[Chad]

Hi Biodun,

Yes, that is a fair point. Should any should wannabe candidate biatching about the unfairness of the process from today (once they have learned they are not on the list) then they should be simply asked where they openly complained about it before.

[James Maskell]

I think Tim and Sam will be fair. If commenters are being nasty, then action willo be taken. If people are making out they are more than one person though using the same IP address, I would guess Tim or Sam will tell us so we will know not to trust that poster.

If A-List candidates feel they will be OK with their name here then thats OK. They dont have to volunteer their names. If candidates have missed out on the List and are angry and want to get it off their chests, who are we to say no?

As for media reaction, well, tough. Theres no point in denying if there is a serious problem with the system. If theres a serious fault with the system, the best thing to do is to get it out in the open and deal with it. With an organisation like the Conservative Party, the media is the best tool.

[Richard]

"OK, I'm finished, but you guys publishing the names of people on this private list and exposing them to your anti-Cameron motlety crew is just flat out wrong and divisive."

So is the A List.

[Henry Whitmarsh]

The main reason why the anti Cameron anti Tory contingent dislike the idea of the A list is because it is so identified with the new Cameron administration. In one fell swoop he's put together a legacy of Tory MP's who will dominate the party, hopefully for decades to come. I live in a super marginal seat, one already projected to go our way. The losers can bitch and moan all they want, such is life, but if we end up with better candidates and a greater chance of success it has been more than worth it. I'm opposed to euthanasia, but in politics, bed blockers deserve a one way ticket to oblivion.

[Chad]

The main reason why the anti Cameron anti Tory contingent dislike the idea of the A list is because it is so identified with the new Cameron administration

What rubbish Henry. The main criticism has been that the policy is the polar opposite of Cameron's pledge in Built To Last that equal opportunity will come from communities not central imposition, and the a-list is a central imposition.

I can't repeat enough that I 100% support the Built To Last pledge on equal opportunity. Unforunately, this a-list approach clearly contravenes that pledge.

[James Maskell]

The A-List guarantees sexual and ethnic minority chances, it does not guarantee the best candidates. Its wrong and should be vigorously opposed. This opposition ot the A-List has nothing to do with my views on Cameron. My opposition is based on principle, not pragmatism.

[Henry Whitmarsh]

We're not talking about local government, we're talking about party politics. All politics is local, and I want the best people doing Conservative politics on the ground, winning seats and forming a new Conservative government. If the A list is the best way of ensuring this takes place, then so be it.

[Biodun]

I'm opposed to euthanasia, but in politics, bed blockers deserve a one way ticket to oblivion.
Nicely put, Henry Whitmarsh!

If candidates have missed out on the List and are angry and want to get it off their chests, who are we to say no?
Well, for one thing if they didn't see anything wrong with the A-List in the beginning, then it's a bit rich of them to complain now just because they didn't get in.

If people want to criticise the List because the party shouldn't be implementing Positive Discrimination, then great!

However, if they're criticising the list because so-and-so of whatever gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, didn't get in, (boohoo) then we are committing the same crime by judging a process by equality of outcome.
It is for this reason alone that I do not see the point of digging through the list to see if people we support got in. We shouldn't care.

[malcolm]

Henry,how could the A list possibly deliver the 'best people' to our party? It is, in its own way as discriminitory and wrong as the old closed minded Conservative Association member who would never consider women for parliamentary careers.

[Andrea]

As much I would like to know who's in the list, I think it's a good move not to publish it.
If new names are added later when the first candidates are selected, those new addictions could be attacked as "second choices" by their opponents if selected later

[Henry Whitmarsh]

17 per cent is a pathetic figure for any democracy. There is all the difference in the world between trying for near equal representation of gender and bone-headed misogynism. There is nothing discriminatory about telling people with those kind of views where to go.

[Sean Fear]

There is more to criticism of the A List than "bone headed misogynism". However, this subject really has been done to death.

[William Norton]

Some passing comments, not aimed at any one, from someone who finds this a bit dull.

(1) Conservative Home is a secret plot to destroy Cameron
Other dangerous ideas with the potential to undermine the leadership and which must be suppressed: televising Parliament and reporting debates in Hansard (voters get to see that some MPs are clowns); party conferences (risk of splits, could look bad on the news); membership selection of candidates (can't trust them, they'll just pick Tories); members' voting for the Leader (party members are out-of-touch and will choose some Neanderthal Eurosceptic) etc etc

(2) CH discussion of the A List will be just a collection of bile
Don't see why Tim couldn't use the same set up as the Gold List thread with prior vetting. If anyone really believes the comments which finally made it on to the threads were extreme and unpleasant, you should hear some of the things said about some of those candidates in any bar at the last party conference...(by their 'friends').

(3) CH publishing attacks on successful A List candidates is a gift to enemy parties
I think Labour and the Lib Dems are quite able to attack our candidates without any assistance from ConservativeHome (or the facts, in most cases). Really - if an individual can't stand the thought of one of the Jameses posting something negative here then you do question whether they should be on the A List or indeed why they are putting themselves forward for Parliament. The stuff posted here is actually quite mild compared to the average East End council election.

CH is not a hotbed of anti-Cameron dissent. The monthly surveys consistently demonstrate strong support for DC, but a number of regular contributors question aspects of DC's strategy, with varying degrees of sympathy. I think that suggests that visitors are representative of Party membership but contributors are representative of Party activists.

I sometimes wonder if some of the more aggressive "Defend Cameron" messages are not in fact UKIP troublemakers - clearly not; it's too clever an idea for them.

[Richard]

"And the press, who'll be running lots of 'Tories gnash teeth' stories, will be using CH as proof"

Why not set up your own website?

[malcolm]

Well put as always William.
Henry the Alist is based on discrimination pure and simple. Rreplacing one flawed selection process with another is a mistake I think the leadership will come to regret.

[Deputy Editor]

Perhaps our approach is being confused with Recess Monkey's?

[Richard]

"There is all the difference in the world between trying for near equal representation of gender and bone-headed misogynism."

Why is it that only sex and racial background are taken into account? Why not income or education? Or even political convictions? What about which part of the country you come from?

[Chad]

Or even political convictions?
Yes, the diversity of thought that I have been banging on about, creating opninion that is both diverse and representative of the UK, not just physical attributes.

Were the interview questions and answers written down? Can they be accessed with a FoI request?

[Nicholas Slide]

According to the BBC, Adam Rickett is on the list...

[Sean Fear]

As, apparently, are Zac Goldsmith and Louise Bagshawe.

I shall refrain from comment.

[Henry Whitmarsh]

*Can hear the keyboards being mashed to bits*

[Chris Palmer]

BBC Article on A-List Candidates reveal a few obvious names

[listWatcher]

iain dale NOT on list

[johnC]

It is perfectly valid to attack the A List system, but once selected many of these people will be candidates in important marginal constituencies. We should avoid saying anything about them which will give ammunition to our opponents.

[malcolm]

A good point johnC but it will probably be difficult!

[Annabel Herriott]

As usual, William Norton has poured a bucket ful of common sense onto the anoraks among us. Its just a shame that any media logging in will think we all talk like the JRC at any PPE degree course.

[Pritti Patel Fan]

Priti Patel,Priti Patel, Priti Patel- ra, ra,ra.

Oh PS The Beeb has already published 3 more.

Hope this helps

[clique alert]

Laura Jones AM ?

[Chad]

Aha another telling glaring transgression of the Law-of-Not by Cameron.

When a politicians does not tell you what he is but what he is not just remove the not, and it is very revealing.

Cameron says of the A-List:
"This is not about appearance, this is not about political correctness."

That says it all.

[Edward]

Yeah, cos whatever you think of Iain Dale he's not as good as Adam Rickitts. Right.

[Biodun]

OK, I know I said I didn't want to go down the "how come so-and-so is on the list" route, but COME ON.

How can Adam Rickett be on the list!?

Tim/Sam,
I thought you said the powers that be actually read this blog.
Did they happen to miss that he got the lowest score of ALL the possible candidates?

Is this some kind of sick joke?

[Voice from the South West]

Well if Rickett is on the list it will only reinforce what a terrible, terrible idea the A-List was in the first place. God help the poor constituency associations who are going to have to select from this list.

[Bel]

According to the BBC, Adam Rickett is on the list...

Sometimes I wonder what we are trying to achieve as a party. I can understand selecting a political lightweight if you thought he had the ability to pull voters in and actually win. I don't see this here.

Anyway, must not carp. They probably know what they are doing, but I wonder.

[Biodun]

Instead of listing who the A-listers are, I think a more useful exercise would be finding out which safe seats are selecting candidates in the near future.

Those of us who live in safe seats will have more influence by getting involved with our local associations rather than carping at the poor selection of A-listers.

The simplest solution is not to kick up a fuss, but just pretend that the list does not exist and act as we would with the larger approved list.

[Chad]

Not that I like to disagree, but if you are trying to reach out to young people in Manchester, for example, who up to now have ignored the Tory party, who would you send to get them to listen or generate local press interest?

Iain Dale or Adam Rickett?

[Andrea]

"Instead of listing who the A-listers are, I think a more useful exercise would be finding out which safe seats are selecting candidates in the near future."

I suppose the first safe seats to select will be the newly created ones (by boundary changes) and the ones where the sitting MP has already announced his intention to stand down.

[Bel]

Iain Dale or Adam Rickett?

Iain Dale, actually.

I don't hold with this view that young people only 'connect' with the young. As far as generating press interest on the streets of Manchester, Adam Rickett will probably swing it. But then what? Having pulled in the 'young' crowds, who is better placed to answer any questions they might have? I would say Iain Dale.

There is a problem with our society if young people only listen to people who are 'like them', or with whom they identify. I would have thought it was better to listen to those from whom you are most likely to learn. We shouldn't be buying into this celebrity culture, celebrating mediocrity in order to win dubious cheap popularity.

[Gareth]

All the headlines are now likely to be dominated by Adam Rickett's inclusion and, I am afraid, that decision is likely to be met with derision. I fear this will turn the whole thing into a terrible own goal.

[Editor]

Some guidelines: ConservativeHome will only publish (tomorrow) the names of people who we know are on the A-list. Any comments in threads like this that are nasty or personal about candidates will be deleted.

[Biodun]

There is a problem with our society if young people only listen to people who are 'like them', or with whom they identify. I would have thought it was better to listen to those from whom you are most likely to learn. We shouldn't be buying into this celebrity culture, celebrating mediocrity in order to win dubious cheap popularity.
You've said it a lot better than I could, Bel.

It's a myth in the same category of
Black people only vote for Black people.
Women will only vote for women, etc.

Call me crazy, but at 26, I'd like to think of myself as youngish, and I don't feel a warm buzz at the thought of Adam Rickett being my MP.

[Chad]

There is a problem with our society if young people only listen to people who are 'like them', or with whom they identify.

I agree entirely, and that is the flawed premise of the A-list diversity.

If you had a group of 3-foot people who had to choose someone to represent them in the 'lifting stuff off the high shelf' contest, would they pick a 3-foot or 8-foot person to represent them.

Light-hearted I know, but if you go along with the A-list then surely Rickett is the right person to talk to the young?

[christina speight]

I would not vote for Zac G: because his whole life is little else but "greenery" and he's wrong, oh so wrong, about it. . I wouldn't vote for a Soap actor. In fact if this blaze of political correctness goes on I wouldn't vote for a party led by Cameron.

The BNP doesn't only appeal to the disposessed working class.

[Shaun]

I'll try not to get personal, but one has to question the objectives of this A-list concept when for example Adam Rickett gets in ahead of Iain Dale. I hope Dale has not been handicapped because of his support for Davis or his candid views on his blog.

MP candidates should not be selected on image, but on how they can connect with (and represent) their constituencies.

[Sean Fear]

"I hope Dale has not been handicapped because of his support for Davis or his candid views on his blog."

I think you've probably answered your own question there. I'd be interested to learn if anyone who was a known supporter of David Davis gets onto the A List.

[Otis]

I didn't make the A-list, but wasn't entirely expecting to as, for reasons I won't bore you all with, I wasn't able to give 100% at my interview. But fuming and whinging about it won't change anything. I'll just get on with it and keep plugging away.

If I had got on, I wouldn't tell anyone anyway. I don't even advertise my place on the pleb candidates' list if I can help it, and now never tell anyone when I'm going for a particular constituency, as that just gives those I might have upset elsewhere, or nearer home, a chance to bad mouth me to their friends in that association. (Yes, it has happened).

[torylady]

Christina Speight says
The BNP doesn't only appeal to the disposessed working class
That is true.
It also appeals to brain-dead bigots who wouldn't know racism if it shoved an axe in their heads and split it in two.

You've already stated in your comments at 16:18 yesterday that you have a problem with the sort of women who want to be MPs.

If all this A-list does, is sideline petty, small-minded people like you, it will be a great success.

[J.H]

Are you Otis as in Otis Ferry?

[Sean Fear]

Perhaps in years to come, there will be more prestige in *not* having got onto the A List, then the reverse.

[Derek]

Everyone who has watched Coronation Street will know that Adam Rickett was an actor in the soap. I know nothing about him apart from that. He may be very knowledgeable and make a good MP, or he may not. He certainly deserves a chance and his appearance on TV should not count against him. He should judged on his merits like any other candidate. One thing - he did not get in by being female or from an ethnic minority!

[Chad]

One thing - he did not get in by being female or from an ethnic minority!
Cameron and Maude ruled that 1% of the A-List must have a six-pack so body-builders will get fair representation.

[Bel]

Perhaps in years to come, there will be more prestige in *not* having got onto the A List, then the reverse.

I'm inclined to agree. The public may well get the impression, despite what Cameron says, that the A-List is more to do with what the party wants to look like than anything else.

As a black woman, if I had applied, and got onto the A-List, I might have wondered how much of my success in getting accepted was actually down to my potential as a good MP, and how much to 'other factors'.

[christina speight]

Torylady There's reasoned argument for you - just vulgar abuse.

There is no party it seems now that speaks to - and for - the patriotic people with backbone, who fought a war to save this country and are faced with their former party turning into a wet wishy-washy bunch of neo liberals, rolling in money in their Notting Hill mansions.

This kind of candidate might get a Cameroon government [with the open goal there it should be hard to miss it!] but it would not be a Conservative government!

One loony Green, one child soap actor and one novelist who lives in New York! Meanwhile Iain Dale a great campaigner and owner of Politicos is rejected.

It's convenient - and mindless - to hurl the word "racist" at people you disagree with but the plain fact is that The BNP is saying what many want to hear. Immigration IS out of control and it is the British working class who suffer.

People of my age are rapidly becoming the majority in the country and many of us have been Conservatives all our lives. Cameron is doing much to ensure that [at "best" for him] we don't vote.

As for women candidates - most women have more sense. You only have to look at the calibre of Blair's babes who were the product of positive discrimination.

People like Florence Horsburgh, Lady Astor, Jennie Lee, Margaret Thatcher, and some notable current Tories got there because of their talent.

So far I am telling YouGov that I'm going to vote Tory [as I did in the local elections] but 'm thinking of changing to "other" if they ask me again.

[christina speight]

Torylady There's reasoned argument for you - just vulgar abuse.

There is no party it seems now that speaks to - and for - the patriotic people with backbone, who fought a war to save this country and are faced with their former party turning into a wet wishy-washy bunch of neo liberals, rolling in money in their Notting Hill mansions.

This kind of candidate might get a Cameroon government [with the open goal there it should be hard to miss it!] but it would not be a Conservative government!

One loony Green, one child soap actor and one novelist who lives in New York! Meanwhile Iain Dale a great campaigner and owner of Politicos is rejected.

It's convenient - and mindless - to hurl the word "racist" at people you disagree with but the plain fact is that The BNP is saying what many want to hear. Immigration IS out of control and it is the British working class who suffer.

People of my age are rapidly becoming the majority in the country and many of us have been Conservatives all our lives. Cameron is doing much to ensure that [at "best" for him] we don't vote.

As for women candidates - most women have more sense. You only have to look at the calibre of Blair's babes who were the product of positive discrimination.

People like Florence Horsburgh, Lady Astor, Jennie Lee, Margaret Thatcher, and some notable current Tories got there because of their talent.

So far I am telling YouGov that I'm going to vote Tory [as I did in the local elections] but 'm thinking of changing to "other" if they ask me again.

[Bel]

He certainly deserves a chance and his appearance on TV should not count against him.

I'm not too sure 'deserves' comes into this, as I would say, off the top of my head, using objective criteria (eg working for the party, etc) that others are more 'deserving'.

Still, he's got in, and it remains to be seen which association will take a chance on him, and how he will fare. I wish him the best of luck.

[Spence Morris]

Well done Tory Lady - a sane response to some very unfortunate comments.

[Chad]

Christina,
(everyone else please ignore)

"There is no party it seems now that speaks to - and for - the patriotic people with backbone"
Try here

[Victoria Street]

The BBC may be right with the three names it's trumpeting, but it is just as likely to be wrong. However, I would hope that CHome readers would have a little more sense than to fall into the media's own spin trap by attacking these individuals who have put their reputations and good names on the line for the sake of the Conservative Party. There are also 97 others on the priority list. We are unlikely to know who they are until some of them are selected. Good luck to them all.

[Henry Whitmarsh]

Christina, I heard "Jerusalem" in my ears as I was stirred to my patriotic core whilst I read your post. If people like you and Chad hate it then it is sure to be a hit with swing voters ie Cameron and the rest of the NottingHill neo-liberals must be doing something right!

[mattsimpson]

BBC are reporting that Maria Hutchings (the mother who confronted Blair at the last election about special schools) and Julia Manning (who contested Bristol East last year) are on the A List as well.

[torylady]

It's convenient - and mindless - to hurl the word "racist" at people you disagree with but the plain fact is that The BNP is saying what many want to hear.

The BNP is a racist party, Christina.
Anyone who denies this is either stupid or terribly deluded.

Your twice-posted hysterical tirade above just exposes you more and more as an old lady who hasn't been taking her medication.

My grandfather did not get injured fighting fascists in the war, so that slow-witted people like yourself could vote the fascists back in again at home.

[Sean Fear]

How did we perform in Bristol East in 2005?

[Michael McGowan]

My father, uncle and grandfather did not figth fascists in the last World War so that supposedly "moderate" Labour and Tory politicians (that means you, Chris Patten) could suck up to Irish Republican fascists back at home.

[mattsimpson]

Sean - Bristol East, we came third, with almost no change from 2001 (only 1 vote less). Labour now have a majority of 8621 from LibDems, we're 2000 behind them.

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/hoc/constituency/0,9338,-765,00.html

[Victoria Street]

Bristol East - Minus 0.7%

[South-East Spy]

My moles report that Conor Burns, two-time candidate for Eastleigh and CWF Executive member, is on the list.

[Terry Keen]

I am delighted that an A list has been compiled.

We should not forget that associations with a strong local candidate will be listened to.

[Chris]

I'd say the only bad thing that can come from the posting of candidates names (and the content already on the goldlist blog) is that all of the candidates are going to be placed under careful scrutiny, viewable by anyone. At the next general election every candidates weak spots, and flaws will be on full display for anyone in the Labour party, or any other party for that matter to read. Obviously as our best candidates they should not have that many weaknesses, but to be honest, who is perfect?

[Tom Greeves]

Louise Bagshawe is very bright and an excellent debator.

[James Cleverly]

I know that this may open me up to a bit of stick, but when was the last time the national press took any notice of anyone's candidate selection?

This list (and before you ask I don't know if I am on it yet) has given a degree of exposure to people who will fight in our target seats well ahead of their opponents.

[Nadim]

Of course you're on it James.

The only things counting against you are your gender, heterosexuality, and able-bodidness.

I mean that nicely.

The sad thing for me is that I will never know if you got on it because you are supremely able, or because you aren't white.

[Will]

" but when was the last time the national press took any notice of anyone's candidate selection? "

All-women shortlists in general, and more recently Labour losing the Blaenau Gwent seat because the didn't select on merit.

[realist]

sure iain dale is a nice guy, but reading all the dedications on his blog about him not getting on, you would think lady thatcher had just died.

am i the only one who thinks iain may have failed to get on the list because he had an apauling result at the general election? If he had been on the A List, going on his 05 performance he could have lost us a safe seat.

[Michael McGowan]

That does really stack up as an explanation if, as appears to be the case, there are people on the A List who also performed badly at the General Election. Sean Fear's post at 15.52 is probably much closer to the mark.

[realist]

a drop of over 6% in a target seat like norfolk north is not at all the same. It was a truely shocking result. He is a nice guy but he clearly didnt have a good excuse when they asked him 'what went wrong' in his A list interview.

[Paul Kennedy]

As in other walks of life, I somehow doubt if the "high flyers" and "most favoured" will appear on any list nor attend a formal selection process of any sort.

Good luck to all those selected, by whatever means, but remember, most if not all political careers end in disappointment or failure.

[Goldie]

The A List should be published. This gives sufficient time to weed out any bad apples.

[Deputy Editor]

Paul, you will be delighted to hear Fiona Bruce is on the list!

Also, breaking news is that Warrington Council is going to be run by a LD/Con coalition of sorts (heavily favoured towards the former) with Fiona on the executive with responsibility for Finance, and another Con Cllr has responsibility for a portfolio involving Children and Education.

[Deputy Editor]

As far as I can see this hasn't been reported anywhere yet....

Women2Win have revealed the names of 11 women selected for the priority list (and whose details have been given to the press):

Angie Bray - Dep Leader of the London Assembly Con Group.

Fiona Bruce - fought impressive campaign in Warrington South, runs a legal firm, came top of CH's GoldList

Suella Fernandes - was Leicester East PPC

Sayeeda Warsi - CP Vice Chair for Cities, former Dewsbury PPC

Maria Hutchings - outspoken woman with autistic son who was taken under Michael Howard's wing, famously challenged Blair on telly

Margot James - CP Vice Chair for Women, first prominent lesbian in the party

Katy Lindsay - Hull East PPC

Julia Manning - Bristol East PPC, optometrist

Philippa Stroud - Birmingham Ladywood PPC, Director of the CSJ, came second on GoldList

Hannah Hall - Luton North PPC

Dr Fiona Kemp - Truro & St Austell PPC

[Paul Kennedy]

Certainly am Sam, not unexpected and thoroughly deserved.

Indeed, interesting times in Warrington.

With regards to finance, Cllr Walker or Cllr Bruce, bit of a "no brainer" really. Alas I can only look on from the sidelines.....at the moment.

[Michael McGowan]

Realist, were you actually at the interview? If so, how do you know that he didn't have a good excuse when they asked him what went wrong? There is rather a lot of assertion, and not too much fact, being deployed to justify a rather flawed selection process. Fiona Bruce does seem a good choice. But then she has already proved that by being picked by an obviosuly transparent and meritocratic open primary.... rather than in a smoke-filled room at CCHQ by Dave, Francis "Let's shaft the membership" Maude and their cronies and bag carriers like Bernard Jenkin.

[Daniel Vince-Archer]

I think the Editor (may songbirds chirrup merrily wherever he may go) summed it up pretty well on Channel 4 News just now - it simply isn't fair that the likes of Adam Rickett are given a shortcut to a target seat at the expense of loyal servants of the party who have worked tirelessly to advance the Conservative cause.

The inclusion of Howard Take Flight on the priority list is particularly disappointing.

[Nadim]

It will be interesting to see how many A-listers were predicted on the Gold list.

It might show how much CH bloggers have in common with CCHQ... it may be more than you think!!

[James Maskell]

The papers will have a pound of flesh tomorrow when they get stuck in. The worst bit comes through when a dark part of someones past comes to the public light. Have these priority list people been fully checked out? Bad apples if they havent disclosed had better tell the Party sharpish. The media can see everything, it just needs time.

Good news about Maria Hutchings. Good to see the Party welcomed her. Kudos to Howard!

[Bel]

it simply isn't fair that the likes of Adam Rickett are given a shortcut to a target seat at the expense of loyal servants of the party who have worked tirelessly to advance the Conservative cause.

Exactly. So is experience and past service to count for little in the brand new, shiny Conservative Party?

I am not really comfortable about people reaping where they haven't sown. What about those who have worked tirelessly for the party, even in those dark days when admitting to be a Tory was tantamount to social suicide? As a party, we should not take our most loyal supporters for granted, and that is what I fear this A List has done in some cases.