And how do you rate the Conservative Party's out-of-Westminster leaders?

We've already published the results from the April survey that showed rising member satisfaction with David Cameron and for most of the shadow cabinet.  We also asked what you thought about the three people who lead the Conservative Party in Europe, Scotland and Wales: Timothy Kirkhope MEP, Annabel Goldie MSP and Nick Bourne AM.

Nick Bourne AM, leader of the Welsh Tories since 1999, was least known by respondents.  71% said they did not know enough or anything about him.  Of the 29% willing to express an opinion 22% were satisfied and 7% dissatisfied.  There had been speculation that Mr Bourne might face a leadership challenge after delivering what some thought were below-expectation gains in the May elections but his likeliest successor - Jonathan Morgan AM - told Wales on Sunday that he was 100% behind Bourne's continued leadership.

55% were don't knows about the leader of the Conservative MSPs, Annabel Goldie.  35% were satisfied (10% very) and 10% were dissatisfied.  Ms Goldie hopes she will soon have the opportunity to implement some Conservative manifesto promises.  Refusing to enter any formal pact with any party she has long promised to work with a minority administration - including Alex Salmond's SNP - on implementing Tory manifesto ideas.  Ms Goldie reiterated that promise for yesterday's Scotsman.  Ms Goldie's trickiest decision will be whether or not to proceed with a more separate Scottish party.  In yesterday's Herald, Political Editor Douglas Fraser agreed with ConservativeHome's belief that "splitting could help Tories find their way back from the political wilderness".  Indications are that organised resistance from former Conservative Scottish Secretaries has cooled David Cameron's initial enthusiasm for the split.

Timothy Kirkhope, leader of the Tory MEPs, has a similar dunno rating to Annabel Goldie (56%) but of those willing to express an opinion it is much more negative.  29% are dissatisfied (17% very) and just 15% satisfied.  Awareness of this level of member concern about MEP performance motivated the MEPs' successful attempt to severely limit member involvement in readoption.  ConservativeHome has twice attempted to ask Timothy Kirkhope to answer questions from members but hasn't received any reply.  He is the only elected Conservative to ever decline an opportunity to be accountable to members through the interviews blog.

We'll ask these questions again on occasions.

Comments

[Laban Tall]

Off topic - but have you heard the mp3 or transcript of Radio Five's Jane Garvey describing the BBC on 2nd May 1997 ?

Jane Garvey: I do remember I walked back in - we were broadcasting then from Broadcasting House in the centre of London, all very upmarket in those days - and the corridors of Broadcasting House were strewn with empty champagne bottles. [Hearty laugh from Peter Allen] I'll always remember that. Er... not that the BBC were celebrating in any way, shape or form…

Peter Allen: No no no, not at all...

Jane Garvey: ...and actually I think it's fair to say that in the intervening years... er... the BBC, if it ever was in love with Labour has probably fallen out of love with Labour, or learnt to fall back in, or basically just learnt to be in the middle somewhere which is how it should be. Um, but there was always the suggestion that the BBC was full of pinkos who couldn't wait for Labour to get back into power. That may have been the case - who knows - but as I say there have been a few problems along the way over the last ten years. Wish I hadn't started this now."

http://notasheepmaybeagoat.blogspot.com

http://biased-bbc.blogspot.com/

[Editor]

Fascinating, Laban Tall but please post stuff like this on the frontpage. We'll pick it up there.

[Simon Chapman]

It's good to see CH focussing on the quality of our leadership outside Westminster. It would be even better to see this extended, so that CH could be used as a platform to boost the profile both of the leaders in Wales and Scotland (and Europe too, although I would prefer to see a different one) AND (a word that always appeals oto our Editor) our successful leaders in local government.

It would be great to see a series of interviews: Susan Williams; Stephen Greenhalgh & Sandy Bruce-Lockhart all spring to mind. In Lincolnshire, our new leader since 2005 Martin Hill is doing a good job as well. Others CHomies about the country will I am sure be able to suggest more names. What challenges have they faced? How have they tackled them? What has worked well?

CH is a localist site - this would be a good way to emphasise the importance of local government and showcase good leaders.

[Editor]

Thank you Simon. Are you offering to help with this?

:-)

[Deputy Editor]

As well as interviews, Platform pieces are always welcome from Conservatives in local government. Email [email protected]

[Simon Chapman]

Yes.

[Editor]

Excellent Simon. I'll be in touch...

[Jennifer Wells]

What a rubbish (and deserved) low rating for Timothy Kirkhope.

[Matt Wright]

The comment about Nick Bourne is a little unfair. Welsh Conservatives did well in the Assembly elections in gaining a numner of first past the post seats and causing a number of others to become highly marginal.

Matt

[HF]

If Kirkhope refuses to answer any questions from this site he should be automatically removed from the next MEP list.

Yes he has a right to decline to answer some questions but not all questions.

Please publish the questions he has declined to answer.

[James]

I would agree with Matt regarding Nick Bourne. While a net gain of one seat in the Assembly itself was a little less than we were hoping for, much of that was down to the vagaries of the electoral system there. What the Welsh Conservatives have done very successfully is recovered the position in individual constituencies such that they are well-positioned for a general election - much better than in Scotland, say.

[Praguetory]

Many of us held back on attacking the disastrous/anti-democratic MEP selection proposals because of the local elections. This poll supports the theory that the current delegation of MEPs is not up to scratch. So, what next?

[Editor]

We haven't sent TK any questions HF - only asked him if he would take any questions.

[Don Hoyle]

Blair, Praguetory, is beavering away in Europe at this very moment, signing this country away to Europe using the 'constitution' "that is not really a constitution or even a treaty, just a few silly, little minor clauses".

With a few honourable exceptions Tory MEPs are in support of the 'constitution', as witnessed by our own MEP speaking at a do in Milton Keynes, the other week.

"So, what next?" you asked.

"Sack 'em," I answer.

[Vote Freedom]

When readint the list of names my only thought was "who are they ?" And I would say htat is the problem they and the conservatives will have. Because unless they get known outside of the tory circles you have no chance of winning.

Not that you deserve to win anyway. Considering the shambles of a debate yesterday where you couldn't even decide what to call the muslim bombers in case you offended them. Where as I saw nothing on actual policy on how to tackle them.

Actually I have seen very little if any policy on anything.

What do the Tories stand for or are you just standing in the shadow of Blair ?

[Andrew Woodman]

Which MEP was that Don?

[Don Hoyle]

J Elles

[Ash Faulkner]

I've been pretty impressed by Goldie from what I've seen of her. I don't hear about her on a daily basis though, so I'm not sure how well perceived she is in Scotland. I can't see I see or know enough of the other leaders, though.

I agree with the comments about opening CH up to devolved/local leaders, that'd be a really good idea.

[davidlogan]

I agree with Matt and James about Nick Bourne. He has been a tower of strength to the party in Wales,having taken over at a hugely difficult time and seeing us back to a position of respect that we just did not have five years ago.

Five constituency wins is a great position for an Assembly election. Several will also come back at next GE; eg Aberconwy,where Labour are dead and buried after losing Bangor and Bethesda in boundary changes, and Plaid will not have the luxury of such a locally popular and well known candidate. Montgomery is there if Glyn Davies goes for it. Delyn and Vale of Clwyd are not far off.

[Annabel Herriott]

Jennifer Wells, where do you come from? I am in Yorks and Humber. If you were from up here, you would know that Timothy Kirkhope was a) our local MEP, and b) that he works bloody hard.
For size, try Kirkhope Commission on Asylum, which even the Sun approved of, and Kirkhope Commission on Immigration Policy which is ongoing. Also try championing the cause of women car drivers to continue to have lower insurance premiums, as they cause far fewer accidents. While you are on, try opposing the EU Constitution, or succeeding in getting Leeds Bradford Airport to be allowed to operate 24/7 thus increasing the benefit to our area.
He is also on our Northern Board, and helping to increase conservative interests in the North.
Being negative for no reason apart from trolling is sooooooooo boring!!