Tim Montgomerie writes:
"Other blogs got there first but I am delighted to confirm that Samuel Coates, Deputy Editor of ConservativeHome, looks set to join David Cameron's office as part of the speechwriting team.
At the age of 22, Sam's likely appointment after a number of competitive tests and interviews is a tremendous personal achievement, I wish him every success. His commitment to the social justice agenda and his interest in international human rights will be just two of the significant contributions I know he'll make to Team Cameron.
David Cameron's gain is definitely a big loss to ConservativeHome. Sam has become a very good friend over the two-and-a-half years we have worked together, and I'll miss his company as well as his enormous contribution to this website. Today is a day for congratulating Sam. We'll be announcing the recruitment process for his successor tomorrow."
> The photo of Sam and David Cameron was from a recent 'Day in the life of David Cameron' feature. Sam's namesake at The Times will be pleased that there'll now only be one Sam Coates covering Westminster!
I'm delighted for Sam. He is a really good guy and totally without side. What an exciting challenge for a great young guy. Well done.
Posted by: Conor Burns | July 15, 2008 at 20:15
Glad to see good things can happen to nice people after all!
Posted by: MikeD | July 15, 2008 at 20:15
This is a tremendous tribute to Sam (and real recognition of the importance of Conservative Home, which should but probably won't silence those who have tried to suggest it is not a respected voice). Sam, we will miss you, but I guess you will keep in touch - we may even spot a new anonymous contributor! Enjoy the new job; it's a great opportunity for you, and a really important role. Go well.
Posted by: Simon Chapman | July 15, 2008 at 20:15
Wonderful news / terrible news!
Sam's one of politics' really genuine people. Idealistic, talented, kind and hard-working.
I fear my favourite website will suffer from his loss however...
Posted by: youknowwho | July 15, 2008 at 20:17
I know several people considered for this and I'm happy to say a wise appointment was made. Sam's humble nature hides a surprisingly shrewd intellect. His northernness should balance out the office as well.
I just hope he doesn't get bored!
Posted by: Nick | July 15, 2008 at 20:24
Well done, Sam.
Posted by: Andrew Lilico | July 15, 2008 at 20:27
Well done buddy...
must make you one of, if not the most influential member of CF going...
good lad!
Posted by: Tory Bear | July 15, 2008 at 20:30
Sam, congratulations!
Posted by: Mark Fulford | July 15, 2008 at 20:31
Congratulations Sam, all the best with the new position
Posted by: Paul D | July 15, 2008 at 20:34
Well Done Sam. Congratulations
Posted by: John Leonard | July 15, 2008 at 20:35
How many CH sockpuppets could Sam expose? That’s real political clout ;-)
Posted by: Saltmaker | July 15, 2008 at 20:36
Congratulations to you! Although we will know who to blame if DC does a poor speech...
Posted by: Michael Rutherford | July 15, 2008 at 20:37
Congratulations Sam
Best of luck in the new job, lets get the Conservatives back down to earth and ready for Government!
Posted by: Ben Howlett | July 15, 2008 at 20:37
Congratulations.
Posted by: Dale | July 15, 2008 at 20:39
A good move by Cameron but a loss to this site.Good luck Sam and power to bloggers.
Posted by: michael mcgough | July 15, 2008 at 20:43
Many congratulations Sam! ConHome's loss is definately DC's gain.
Posted by: Matthew Dear | July 15, 2008 at 20:49
Sam is one of life's genuine good guys. It's a incredible opportunity for him. Best of luck, Sam.
Posted by: Louise Bagshawe | July 15, 2008 at 20:49
Many, many congratulations.
Posted by: comstock | July 15, 2008 at 20:50
Very many congratulations to Sam.
Posted by: Graham Smith | July 15, 2008 at 21:08
Congratulation, Sam - a good appointment and a great opportunity for you. I'm sure you'll make a great success of it.
Best wishes in your new job!
Posted by: Richard Carey | July 15, 2008 at 21:08
Well done Sam pretty good for a drop out ;)
Posted by: RobD | July 15, 2008 at 21:09
Congratulations Sam. I've so enjoyed our chats over the last 12 months and you've renewed faith in this tired old Tory! I wish you every success in your new role and trust you will keep a well balanced and rounded aspect to all David Cameron's speeches. We're counting on you - well done! Heather, Dartmouth
Posted by: Heather | July 15, 2008 at 21:16
Good news that someone from the coalface should be recognised!!
Don't forget the strong feelings on the inequality of the tax system Sam, particularly for those on earnings below £15000 p.a.
Posted by: Richard Calhoun | July 15, 2008 at 21:16
Congratulations Sam! Very well done - David Cameron's Office's gain is Con Home's loss and your successor will have a lot to live up to! Good luck and keep in touch.
Posted by: Sally Roberts | July 15, 2008 at 21:19
This really is great news - fully deserved. Best of luck, Sam!
Posted by: Peter | July 15, 2008 at 21:19
Sam, I'm really pleased for you -congratulations! See, we are capable of leaving nice/positive messages on ConHome!
Posted by: Justin Hinchcliffe | July 15, 2008 at 21:22
Many thanks for your good wishes, everyone. However I have to announce I've decided to turn the job down, and join the Socialist Workers Party instead.
And I hearby appoint Comstock as my successor, who's first job will be to oversee this blog's move towards a more left wing view point.
Posted by: Dep. Editor | July 15, 2008 at 21:23
Congratulations Sam.
Posted by: Ashley Fox | July 15, 2008 at 21:29
Excellent news for DC; sad for us though.
Very many congratulations.
- and don't forget to slip into one of his speeches an announcement of creation of English parliament ;-)
Posted by: Ken Stevens | July 15, 2008 at 21:32
Many congratulations to Sam.
At risk of repeating what many others have said, I'm absolutely delighted to see such a nice and decent guy in this position.
Again, well done mate and I look forward to buying you a pint to celebrate soon.
Posted by: Dan Hamilton | July 15, 2008 at 21:35
Many congratulations, and well done, Sam!
It would be great if you could blog here occasionally from 'inside the leader's office' - that's only for public consumption, of course.
Posted by: Jill, London | July 15, 2008 at 21:49
Well done Sam.
Posted by: Andrew Woodman | July 15, 2008 at 21:57
What a great opportunity! Congratulations, Sam.
'I shall pass through this world but once... (Attr. to Etienne de Grellet)
Posted by: Patsy Sergeant | July 15, 2008 at 22:02
It would be great if you could blog here occasionally from 'inside the leader's office'
Yes, I'd be interested to hear how you get on, and especially to read one of your speeches.
As Jill points out,though, I realise a fair bit of your new job will require discrection.
Posted by: Comstock | July 15, 2008 at 22:03
Good luck, Sam and best wishes.
Posted by: Roy Wilson | July 15, 2008 at 22:07
Great news for the party and a real tribute to the quality of this blog that one of its 'sons' has been taken close to the centre.
Posted by: Kevin Davis | July 15, 2008 at 22:09
Good luck to Sam, a top guy and a good appointment for David Cameron too.
Posted by: Brandon Lewis | July 15, 2008 at 22:11
Many congratulations Sam - it's thoroughly deserved.
Posted by: Cameron Watt | July 15, 2008 at 22:15
Sam, you've already had my congratulations by private email but I want to add them publicity on here too. You are a top bloke and will go far. Very well done.
Posted by: Geoff | July 15, 2008 at 22:17
Good work!
Posted by: RichardJ | July 15, 2008 at 22:39
Suggest everyone visits Guido tonight. There's a cracking fake picture tale which could have quite an impact on Glasgow East.
Posted by: Steve Garner | July 15, 2008 at 22:39
Congratulations Sam....
LET THE BLOODBATH FOR HIS SUCCESSOR BEGIN!
Posted by: James, Swadlincote | July 15, 2008 at 22:40
Sam has been enormously patient helping me to file posts for Centre Right - in the manner of an air traffic controller dealing with a hysterical passenger accidentally left in charge of an aeroplane.
Now he has the (even) more intellectually satisfying challenge of writing speeches for our next Prime Minister. Hats off to him.
A very good appointment.
Posted by: Cllr Harry Phibbs | July 15, 2008 at 22:43
Congratulations Sam! Well deserved.
Posted by: Adrian Owens | July 15, 2008 at 22:59
Many congratulations to Sam. Team Cameron have just made a very wise addition.
Posted by: Huntarian | July 15, 2008 at 23:00
Many congratulations to Sam. Team Cameron have just made a very wise addition.
Posted by: Huntarian | July 15, 2008 at 23:00
LET THE BLOODBATH FOR HIS SUCCESSOR BEGIN!
James, my CV is almost ready :-)
Posted by: Geoff | July 15, 2008 at 23:00
Many congratulations to Sam. Team Cameron have just made a very wise addition.
Posted by: Huntarian | July 15, 2008 at 23:00
Many congratulations to Sam. Team Cameron have just made a very wise addition.
Posted by: Huntarian | July 15, 2008 at 23:00
Congratulations and best wishes for your new role.
Posted by: Ben Stevenson | July 15, 2008 at 23:10
Many congratulations Sam! Wow ! A speech writer who know where all the bodies are buried under their URLs!!!!!! Go to it lad!
Posted by: Annabel Herriott | July 15, 2008 at 23:18
Many congratulations, Sam.
I completely agree with what has been said already that DC's gain is CH's loss!
Posted by: Philip | July 15, 2008 at 23:23
Congratulations to Sam. A wonderful addition to Team Cameron.
Posted by: Praguetory | July 15, 2008 at 23:31
Congratulations Sam. This is really very well deserved and at the age of 22, a remarkable achievement. Well done!
Posted by: Annesley Abercorn | July 15, 2008 at 23:38
A belated congratulations to Sam. Sam Seaborn, perhaps ;)
Posted by: David (One of many) | July 15, 2008 at 23:46
Well done Sam!!! Your help won't be able to stop us Lib dems preparting for goverment, but fabulous congratulatons all the same! These are excriting times.
Posted by: Gloy Plopwell | July 15, 2008 at 23:52
Congratulations! I guess we now know who to blame when Cameron makes a poor speech ;-)
Posted by: Voice from the South West | July 15, 2008 at 23:54
Well done Sam. I'm confident you will do very well! :-)
Posted by: Dave | July 16, 2008 at 00:01
Well done Sam. I expect we will see your reincarnation as Toby Lightwater - nice little earner,too.
Posted by: griswold | July 16, 2008 at 06:30
Congratulations.
Posted by: Cllr. Paul Kennedy | July 16, 2008 at 07:30
I add my congratulations to the many already expressed.
Posted by: MartinW | July 16, 2008 at 07:51
Well done Sam.
Now you can be an even bigger part of our shared Conservative Future. Good Luck for all of us.
Perhaps you should sneak a code word into speeches that only us Conservative Homies know about ;)
Posted by: Serf | July 16, 2008 at 08:02
Many congratulations Sam. You'll be missed.
Posted by: Alan S | July 16, 2008 at 08:30
Reluctant to enlargen his head further but it's clear looking through the unanimous comments that Sam's chickens are coming home to roost (in a good way!). Just shows you don't have to lie, cheat and suck up to make your way in politics. I suspect Spelman would have at least some people by her side now if she'd been more interested in people she met on her way up...
Posted by: Kate | July 16, 2008 at 08:36
Well done and good luck Sam.
Posted by: a-tracy | July 16, 2008 at 08:56
Hmmm. So, Sam, you left university before completing your degree and have now landed one of the top jobs in politics! I'm looking forward to outlining that career trajectory to my students...! You free for our careers fair?!
Posted by: Giles Marshall | July 16, 2008 at 09:09
Congratulations Sam, ConHome's loss is definitely Team Cameron's gain.
Posted by: Patrick Cusworth | July 16, 2008 at 09:16
DC now gloats at the theft of S Coates,
as his speeches will thus reach new heights.
By eloquence enhanced, shall The Cause be advanced
and the nation soon put back to rights.
But what of what’s left, of S. Coates’ skills bereft?
A Dep Ed you need to fast seek.
Advertise quick, or the Ed will get sick
from edding a seven day week!
Posted by: McGonagall of the South | July 16, 2008 at 10:33
Well done Sam, I hope the job goes well it does sound like a terrific opportunity.
Posted by: Graham D'Amiral | July 16, 2008 at 10:42
Brilliant McGonagall, and so true!!
And thanks to everyone for their kind comments on this thread. It's a real testimony to Sam that he is held in such high regard by so many good people.
I apologise that we weren't able to make the announcement sooner. Although we knew the appointment was likely for quite some time we couldn't formally announce until some i's had been dotted and t's crossed.
Posted by: Editor | July 16, 2008 at 10:46
Great news! Keep my fingers crossed for him!
He'll be our man in Number 10 soon... ;)
Posted by: Peter_M | July 16, 2008 at 10:58
Great news. Congrats to Sam.
He'll be a great representative of 'Blog World'.
Posted by: Conand | July 16, 2008 at 11:24
I'd like to add my congratulations. Quite impressive for a 22-year old!
But don't spend your whole life in politics. After a couple of years, it's good and important to do something in the "real" world.
Posted by: Goldie | July 16, 2008 at 15:37
Very well done Sam.
Posted by: Tony Arbour | July 16, 2008 at 17:15
Congratulations Sam and many best wishes.
Posted by: Rachel Joyce | July 16, 2008 at 17:56
Well done, Sam. I hope DC benefits from your honesty.
Posted by: Thomas Cahill | July 16, 2008 at 18:05
Sam, Many congratulations and good luck in your new job.
Posted by: Paul, Southampton | July 16, 2008 at 19:36
This is very good news for Samuel and I wish him the best of luck.
Sam and Tim are both to be congratulated for making this website what it is - I'm sure the gravitas ConservativeHome has in addition to the core role Sam played in getting the site into that positon helped him land this exciting new job.
Posted by: Andrew Morrison | July 16, 2008 at 19:59
Well done Sam, heard the news from my brother in Kent who heard it from Ingleton in Yorkshire! We liberal Catholics love you too.
Stephen Dawson
Posted by: Stephen Dawson | July 16, 2008 at 23:22
Well done Sam. But is he a good enough speech writer to smuggle in little clues that he wrote it?
Posted by: Mark Wadsworth | July 17, 2008 at 15:48
Our congratulations go to David Cameron for selecting such a talented, thoughtful, committed person as Sam Coates as his speech writer.
Congratulations to you too Sam for having the qualities of integrity,and rock solid core values wrapped in a packet of insight wit, good humor, cultural conectedness and genuine compassion that have brought you to the attention of Britain's next P.M.
Posted by: Paul & Nuala O'Higgins, Stuart, Florida USA | July 18, 2008 at 18:17
Best of luck in the future in DC's office. Can't wait to hear a knock-out speech by you smashing across the dispatch box!
Posted by: Ulster Tory | July 22, 2008 at 18:47
Well done Sam--and well done Sam's former boss for your part, and new boss for good judgement.
(P.S. When Huntarian said "many congratulations" (s)he really meant it!)
Posted by: James M | July 29, 2008 at 23:04