Do the Tories have a Sarah Palin?

One shadow cabinet minister has described Sarah Palin as "the hottest governor from the coldest state"!

Time will tell if McCain's electrifying pick will stand the test of time but it has already produced a massive boost to Republican fundraising and neutralised Barack Obama's post-Denver bounce.

Is there a Sarah Palin within the Tory Party?  Not necessarily a woman but a up-and-coming and under-used talent who has the potential to connect with new voters.  Suggestions in the thread below please...

Comments

[Paul]

Annnunziata Rees-Mogg - MP to be for Somerton and Frome looks pretty sharp and determined to me.

[Sammy Finn]

Nadine Dorries. Attractive. Sassy. Real. Funny. She should be Chairman.

[lua]

Clearly Nadine Dorries, she is by far the most attractive tory MP (with some of the most elegant cheekbones ever to have been seen) and is one of the strongest and most determined to stand up for what she really believes in. Palin has nothing on her.

[Andy Strang]

Nadine Dorries PMSL! Seems a pleasant woman but I don't think the Widdecombesque policies are what the country is crying out for.

[David]

Hopefully not; we don't need a creationist anti-abortionist evangelical, thanks.

[Peter Watson]

Unless you get rid of the New World Order placeman Commie Ron it makes no difference. The Tories are not going to get us out of the EU so they can go to hell which appears where they want to be. We should be leasing aircraft from the USA and secure our borders so it makes no difference if there is a Sarah Palin. The Tories have made clear that any one with brains and is a true conservative is a threat which is why Lindsay Jenkins was not selected as a PPC (oh I forgot the Tories are ageist too) and the same for Richard Frampton Hobbs. The Tories are not conservatives they are champagne socialists. Put Boris in charge and get rid of the excruciating Commie Ron and maybe I will vote for you. I write as a paid up member of the US NRA.

[Daniel Emmett-Gulliver]

Julie Kirkbride!!!!

[Richard Holloway]

Do we have someone who thinks the world is 6000 years old? Thank goodness no.

[Anontory]

Cllr Charlotte Quarmby in Wolverhampton. ;-)

[Surrey Boy]

How about the highly rated Theresa Villiers? Oh hang on, the doctors have just arrived to give me my sedatives.

[Nick]

I genuinely don't understand why Conservatives are supposed to support the Republicans. They hold many views - particularly on social issues - that are simply abhorrent. Why would a British Conservative support somebody who is anti-science, anti-abortion, anti-gay rights, anti-healthcare? The Democrats are much more closely aligned with what the Conservative Party believes.

[ACT]

Well, for over-promoted candidate picked solely for vile tokenistic reasons, Tony Lit kinda says, we were there worst, er, first!

[jack]

I cant believe someone managed to get the EU into this thread already!! Lol i give up!

[Sally Roberts]

They may well have - but I bet she isn't on the A List!!!!

[Norm Brainer]

Justine Greening MP

[anonymous]

It HAS TO BE Anne Milton, MP for Guildford an Shadow Health Minister. A former NHS nurse, with huge amounts of charisma and "connectivity". Definately Anne Milton!

[Norm Brainer]

"Why would a British Conservative support somebody who is anti-science, anti-abortion, anti-gay rights, anti-healthcare? "
There are plenty of Conservatives who think that's conservative (even though that sounds as much a contradiction as liberal democrat) and like to create polls to make it seem that we're not all as libertarian as it would appear.

Republicans match with conservative economic policy more, and that's mainly what politics should be about.

[Matt]

When was the last time anyone saw Nadine Dorries? Nadine Dorries IS Sarah Palin.
I can't think of two politicians more alike.

[hj]

Nadine Dorries, without a doubt. Both women appear to be made of steel and compassion.

[Matthew Dear]

Your very own Louise Bagshawe. Many love her as an author; she's getting some great coverage as a "mere" candidate; she's has the rare ability to be outrageously outspoken and yet never, ever hit a wrong note (not so far, at least!)

Her determination is very Palin-esque. Now, is that Sarah, or Michael...?

[Ben Gadsby]

James Brokenshire, MP for Hornchurch now and Old Bexley and Sidcup next. He connects with voters, and carries a higher personal approval rating round here than the Tory brand. Now he's got a seat to stand for - watch out, he's upwardly mobile.

[John W]

Isn't this article going to appear in an upcoming issue of Just 17?

[James Maskell]

She is the type of neanderthal conservative we shouldnt be around. Sadly Nadine Dorries is a pretty good comparison with her views on abortion. People like Sarah Palin put me off conservatism.

[EML]

I'm afraid every time I see the name Sarah Palin I just think of Michael Palin!

[Francis]

How can the conservative party even dream about supporting the republicans whilst Guantanomo bay remains open and there administration supports "alternative methods" of interrogation?

[Ernest]

I will second the first comment. Annnunziata Rees-Mogg - MP to be for Somerton and Frome. She will need lots of Tory support from both the national and local party members to defeat the present Liberal Democrats MP.at the next election.

[Anon]

What about Esther McVey in Wirral, she is surely an up and coming talent!

[Anon]

What about Esther McVey in Wirral, she is surely an up and coming talent!

[bill acraman]

The last thing the Conservative party needs is a hockey mum from the stone age. Palin is an appalling woman (I expect our own dear Michael Palin to be changing his name any minute) She is the worst sort of fundamental evangelical with absurd beliefs and total inexperience. She believes all abortions should be illegal (even if the pregnancy is caused by rape or incest), that global warming is not for real and that polar bears should be shot so that oil can be drilled for. Her attitudes and inexperience will expose the aged shrtcomings of McCain.
I have no time for the Republican party, which has damaged the world beyond measure in the past 8 years. Like many thinking tories I am an Conservative in UK and a Democrat in USA.

[Louise Bagshawe]

Annunziata, Shaun Bailey in Hammersmith. Wilfrid Emmanuel-Jones in Chippenham, Mragot James in Stourbridge, Charlotte Leslie, Joanne Cash in Westminster North...there are many others. The class of 2010 will do credit to the associations that chose them, I think.

[john parkes]

Do we really need to start looking for `window-dressing` expedients? Before we begin a search for possible role-players, wouldn`t it be a good idea to see if there is a role first? Let`s not be diverted from our main aim, which is to see the back of the national shambles that calls itself our present government. There are plenty of ways open to us without trying to set up an unnecessary treasure hunt to complicate things.

[Louise Bagshawe]

Margot even. Need coffee :)

[Londoner]

What a pathetic subject for a diary post. Come back for holiday Tim, you are needed if this site is not to be done serious damage!

[Mike]

Annunziata Rees-Mogg? Nice to see the Conservative party reaching out to the average guy in the street voter.

[Baked Alaska]

She HAS to be Sarah! A true test would be igloo making and polar bear wrestling - can anyone in Mid Beds arrange this?!

[Matthew Dear]

Now that's an idea, Baked Alaska. I'm in Mid Beds and happy to give it a crack. Sounds like a riot.

[Kerry]

It's great to see more conservative women being recognised for their talents. Promoting sassy, feminine women goes a long way to show that women don't have to sacrifice what it is to be female to be successful. Lefty bra-burning feminists beware! The rise of conservative females like Palin are stamping all over your mantra! I hope the Conservative Party promotes Dorries. It'd be great to see the Dorrieses triumph over the Harmans.

[Jane Gould]

do we NEED a "Sarah Palin"? Do we really want to return to flat earth, bonehead Conservatism?
plenty of up and coming talent - certainly. but we have a solid core philosophy and that's the most important thing.
that, and edu8cated candidates.
BTW - Hazel blears sounds pretty down to earth; but spouts the most appalling rubbish.

[David_at_Home]

You Tories had your Sarah Palin plus a lot more, as party leader from 11 Feb 1975 until 22 November 1990 when, for good or ill, you ditched her.

Such people, men or women, are very rare and only pop up perhaps once or twice a century.

So now you are landed with a vacuous PR man who does not seem to have either policies or beliefs.

Sad? P1ssed off?

There is always the UK Independence Party!

[Arthur Barker]

McCain might have shot himself in the foot over the appointment of Palin. Whereas before there was a clear cut difference between Obama and McCain - the first being a PR and PC led politician with no definite policies with people being asked to support him in the hope he is going to do something while McCain represented the existing order of existing values in conservative American society - now there is little difference as McCain has been told to follow Obama's lead. The result is probably that McCain's support in the election will be less than if he had adopted a more conservative male running mate.

[Anon]

"It HAS TO BE Anne Milton, MP for Guildford an Shadow Health Minister. A former NHS nurse, with huge amounts of charisma and "connectivity". Definately Anne Milton!"

Bancroft, is that you?

[James Lynch]

Fiesty, formidable and female! Mid Bedfordshire Member of Parliament Nadine Dorries is an underused asset for the Conservative Party.

Out there in the real world, Nadine's direct approach, along with her campaign to reduce the number of abortions resonated with the concerns of the public.

I'll give you an example. My sister in law, is a working Mum in her Mid 30s with 2 children and is just the sort of swing voter we need to get back on board. I rarely talk politics with my sister in law, but when we have, she mentioned an interview she heard on BBC Radio 2s Jeremy Vine Show with Nadine Dorries MP talking about abortions. Nadine had spoken with real passion and a lot of sense.

So much so, that for the first time she was thinking about voting Conservative again next time.

[Riot Act]

Got to be Nadine Dorries, Debi Jones and Esther McVey.

(All blonde scouse Tories!)

[john parkes]

Nice to see David-at-Home back, offering his one solution to every problem, viz UKIP.
Subscribers might recall that in view of that Tendency`s continuing, substantial contribution made to our discussions, an independent, self-appointed Committee now nominates candidates for the KIPper Awards, in recognition of their marvellous sense of the ridiculous and excellent jokes.
We note, however that the first award winner for Joke-of-the-Day claimed he was not a UKIP member. The criterion for selection is that if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it probably is a duck. In the circumstances, therefore, the alternative "Percy Edwards Memorial Award" has now been devised for presentation to the Subscriber giving the best imitation of a duck.
Senior candidates for the "Founder`s Gold Medal Award for Joke of the Month" are now in close contention. Showing a narrow lead is the Chinese Olympic Synchronised Swimming Team. This is closely followed by the UKIP Defence Policy Document, in recognition of its extensive maritime content. The quality of application of mascara round the portholes is the main factor putting the Chineses into a narrow lead. A distant third lies the UKIP policy for standing in local elections. However this is subject to challenge by the Disciples of Onan on grounds of irrelevance and the latter`s inability to see the joke.
The new "Enid Blyton Memorial Playground Award for Coarse Language (under 8 years old section) is another area where talent will be reconised and a number of front runners are cropping up, with monotonous regularity, some say.
Subscribers will be surprised to hear that the Committee Chairman has withdrawn his entry from the coveted "Windbag of the Year Award". This is to forestall accusations of nepotistic sleaze in the event of his probably well-merited victory, as well as to acknowledge his nervousness at the sight of the hot competition that is already emerging.
This newsletter has been published on the grounds that nothing else of serious importance seems to be going on here.

[Bromley backer]

Bromley's Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe is very similar

[John]

Three blonde scousers? I never thought I would see the day when the party could boast such a grounded connection with real people.
Nadine is the only one who is an MP and is our very own Sarah Palin.

[Bromley backer]

Bromley's Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe is very similar

[Comstock]

How about the highly rated Theresa Villiers?

Lovely, indeed one of the prettiest faces in parliament, but can she cut it as a front line politician?

[Conand]

I do agree with Nick @ 08:19

Louise Bagshawe has said exactly what I wanted to say! (Hence she's a politician)

Although I would add Helen Grant & Dr David Bull. I'm really rather excited about the class of 2010/2009. Bring it on!

[JS]

The question should be 'Does the Conservative party need a Sarah Palin?' The answer must surely be an emphatic NO.

[Julia]

I sincerely hope not. And I have to say that neither Theresa nor Justine bear any similarity to her at all.

Get beyond the looks and into the substance. A gun-touting, ultra right wing, pro-life, bear-hunting Deputy PM would go down like a lead balloon with the vast majority of the UK electorate. Never mind the polar bears.

[In Exile]

Priti Patel. Refreshingly right-wing. Could be great...

[Andrew Bradley]

Can you please name the shadow cabinet minister who referred to Mrs Palin as 'the hottest governor from the coldest state' They will certainly get top marks from me at the Con Home survey.

As someone of mature years I would like to put in a word for Theresa May particularly when she is on the front bench dressed in leather.

I am not aware that any of our top ladies were beauty queens though.

Don't like the names of Mrs Palin's kids- you would think they were born on a hippy commune. If she has another perhaps that would be called Swampy or perhaps Tundra because of where she roughly hails from.

[anon]

What we need are some real political couples in the Party - a Tory Bill and Hillary (with less of the sleaze and scariness) so to speak.

The Wintertons are the nearest we have at the moment!

Perhaps conhome should do a feature on upcoming political couples...

[Harry Fulton]

Justine Greening MP is one to watch. Very good communicator on TV. However, she needs further training if she wants to (say) wow a Tory Conference. However she is erudite, clever, and 'in touch' - the makings of a great politician.

[London Tory]

Anne Widdecombe, surely ?

She would be the moose that went in one of Palin's burgers.

[Gareth]

I do hope not. Creationism makes me queasy (when I'm not laughing out-loud at those stupid enough to believe in such nonsense).

[Clucking Fist]

I sincerely hope not - we dont need any more backward, socially conservative God-botherers - Anne Widdecome fills that role

[Justin Hinchcliffe]

I love everything about Sarah Palin; she's young, smart, energetic, not afraid to take on the vested interest groups (especially the oil companies), fights against corruption in her own party and is pro-life (a plus in my eyes).

Do we have a Sarah Palin in our Party? I think it's too early to say. I can't say I've been impressed by many of our female MPs - that's sure to change after the next election.

Nadine Dorries name keeps being mentioned here. ND is no Sarah Palin. She supports abortion in principle and, basically, isn't very bright. As a pro-lifer, I am embarrassed by her; I cringe everytime I her her speak on the subject. Maybe Philipa Stroud (PPC, Sutton and Cheam) will be our next Palin?

[Adam Smart]

Nadine Dorries last seen in the back of a yellow cab, heading for the airport, ripping off her wig and glasses, throwing her gun out of the cab window and yelling down a mobile phone at Con Home editors for blowing her cover. You mark my words, she will be seen back home out and about soon.

[Anne]

It would make more sense to find a Hillary Clinton or Nancy Pelosi. Palin stands for everything I thought David Cameron was trying to say the Conservative Party no longer wanted to be associated with: narrow minded evangelical right wingers who want to make a party which is exclusive rather than inclusive, dogmatic rather than responsive and dangerously deluded in its arrogance. I also don't know why Conservatives should support the Republicans - the Democrats are far from getting my unqualified support, but of the two they are much more libertarian, egalitarian and rationalist in their outlook while still believing in individualism. And that's the Tory party I want to support.

[anon too]

"Perhaps conhome should do a feature on upcoming political couples..."

"Official" or "unofficial"?

[Sally Roberts]

I must say it would be refreshing to have someone who was unafraid to say they shoot and wear fur!

[Andrew Nicholas]

JS sums it up perfectly. We are way ahead in the polls, why fix what ain't broke.

The US says it is fighting fundamentalists on behalf of the free world and then the Republicans choose one as vice-presidential candidate!

Sarah Palin would be unelectable anywhere but the US.

[Terry]

Surely the name "Conservative Party" needs to be ditched and its members should choose a new one which properly reflects what it stands for. Sarah Palin is definitely a Conservative but if the Conservative party doesn't want her this is only because it has ceased to be Conservative.

[Yolanda]

I just think the democrats are so bad for hounding that young 17 year old girl, its absolutely terrible

[Mara MacSeoinin]

Appointing Palin as his running mate was one of McCain's most calculated and cynical moves yet - he'd only met the lady once, for less than an hour, before. Hopefully similar levels of calculated vote-snatching skulduggery won't be exhibited by the Conservatives this side of the Pond.

[graham wood]

Norm must be a no Brainer - he says:

"Why would a British Conservative support somebody who is anti-science, anti-abortion, anti-gay rights, anti-healthcare? "

Palin is brilliant. She knows plenty about, and fights for, the real science of technical exploration of oil and gas resources as Governor in Alaska - not barmy EU style "renewables"

Anti abortion? Absolutely for that is the only moral position to take on the issue.
Abortion is murder - or infantacide aka as
obamacide. Stand by your convictions Sarah for they are on target!

Anti gay rights? Homosexuals don't have any more "rights" than other minorities.
Palin is a Bible believing Christian therefore her beliefs (and mine) are incompatible with the "gay" ideology.
Again, she has more guts to stand by her convictions than the army of UK sycophant MPs who support this disgusting crusade.
Healthcare - she does support this - but not Hilary Clinton's half baked proposals.

Best of all Palin is a God fearing woman which is more than can be said for the majority of the weak minded members of the Tory party

[Bullingdon Bumbuster]

How's about Elthams's David Gold...a mind like a steel trap and charismatic to boot...

[Justin Hinchcliffe]

I think Graham Wood must be a troll.

[Doug]

I hope there isn't a Sarah Palin the Conservatives or at least one who never gets near the top of the party. Would we really want a member of the Tory party who had been a member of the SNP, an anti-Unionist party, just as Palin was a member of the Alaskan Independence Party? Irony or ironies that Palin is described in the same nonsense manner Blair was and which was criticised by many on the right including myself. As for neutralising the Obama bounce that's just nonsense unless you believe the CNN poll which had absolutely no undecided (a poor poll if ever there was one). Both the CBS and USA Today/Gallup polls which were conducted after the Palin announcement saw Obama's lead increase to +8 and +7 respectively.

[Patsy Sergeant]

I agree with Justin Hinchcliffe's conclusion about 'Graham Wood'!!

I also agree with Andy Strang @ 7.13, David @ 7.27. But I also agree with JS @ 11.47!!

[Sir Hillary]

"One shadow cabinet minister has described Sarah Palin as "the hottest governor from the coldest state"!"

One Shadow Cabinet Minister has been borrowing form "Meet the Press" - where that old Alaskan bumper sticker was given a new airing on Sunday.

Nothing new under the sun, even in Alska.

[Schlieffen Plan]

Is Palin an Usherite or not??? Being a pro-gun, anti-abortion, climate change sceptic is one thing...which I agree with but trying to argue that the earth is just 4000 years old and that T-Rexes shared a cabin on the Ark with Brontosauruses just makes you look dumb....

[Sally Roberts]

"T-Rexes shared a cabin on the Ark with Brontosauruses...."

I remember T-Rex - but that was in the very early 70s not 4000 BC!

Anyway as anybody knows this is the real story of what went on on the Ark!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Log_of_the_Ark

[AS]

Michael Gove, Sayeeda Warsi, Justine Greening.

[Philip Jackson]

"The US says it is fighting fundamentalists on behalf of the free world and then the Republicans choose one as vice-presidential candidate!"

Certainly the stupidest comment to appear for a long time (and that's up against some pretty tough competition). When the TINOs put evangelical Christians on a par with Al Queda and the Taliban, we must know that BBC-worshipping moronity has infested the left of our party like a virus.

[Morus]

Chloe Smith, PPC in Norwich North, would be my suggestion.

[Marissa]

"She supports abortion in principle and, basically, isn't very bright. As a pro-lifer, I am embarrassed by her; I cringe everytime I her her speak on the subject."
Justin, what stupid thing to say! As a passionate pro-lifer who believes life begins at conception I can only applaud Nadine for forcing the issue back on to the agenda. Traditional pro-lifers have alienated the general public and forced the issue into the margins. All polls suggest that the vast majority of the general public are put off by the dogmatic views of the pro-life lobby, however, over 70% want to see a reduction on the timescale. Not only does logic say: saving some babies is better than none. Far more importantly Nadine got the topic out there to be debated again, which has been the major challenge in the UK. The amount of media attention Nadine has generated on the issue has done more for the pro-life lobby than any Conservative has done in the last 40 years. Nadine is far from stupid. Think about it, Justin: a sassy, down to earth, ex-nurse starting the debate on moderate lines gets the public listening and engaging on the issue and inevitably leads to the 'thin end of a wedge' argument emerging. I think she's shown exceptional discernment.

The fact that you don't consider any of the female Conservative MPs very impressive is more telling about you than them.

[Votedave]

Theresa Villiers.

[Not Ulster Tory. Promise.]

That Ulster Tory bloke looks like he could be pretty dynamic.

[graham wood]

Yes we do need an intelligent, conviction politician, with Christian principles, and a good track record of positive and successful policies achieved - all of which Palin has.
Being a creationist, anti abortionist, and anti gay marks her out as a true Conservative - not like the pink weakling imitations in the current Tory party

[graham wood]

Jack comments:

"I cant believe someone managed to get the EU into this thread already!! Lol i give up!

It was Peter Watson who is right to note Tory deviousness on the EU
Why in this thread? Because the EU membership question is THE elephant in the room, and in effect is our central government with Westminster acting merely as a minor regional assembly.
Tell me Jack, if the Tories will not get us out of the EU what mechanism is in place to enable us to do so? Can you "vote" for these unelected and unaccountable snouters?
Its the central question because in reality membership of the EU is steadily taking away our ability to decide ALL OTHER questions. Now do you get it?

[Terry]

Graham Wood: you are no troll. To your credit you stand as a Conservative with Conservative principles. The reason why you get abuse for your views is that certain people seek to impose a non-Conservative social agenda on the rest of the party. There are 2 options for me and you: fight back, or withdraw with our votes to an other party. I hate to resort to abuse so I won't - being purely factual, a liberal social agenda is being/has been foisted upon this party, contrary to the historic Conservative social tradition. Now, if Cameron and his mates were to say explicitly that all social traditionalist should leave the party, then fair enough - but we have to assume that until then we are welcome and therefore will fight for what is right and what the silent majority agree with. The moral liberalists do not represent the best way forward for the nation and we need the courage to stand up for what is good and right.

[RichardJ]

While I agree with Nadine Dorries on the abortion issue I agree with Justin that, frankly she is an embarrassment.

Here is just one example:

http://devilskitchen.me.uk/2008/04/nadine-dorries-is-liar.html

[kath]

Does it matter, get on with some serious issues, not how pretty a woman is. Will I do at 72

[Upnorth]

Any Americans on here please VOTE OBAMA! The Republicans need to be taught that Conservatism does not mean god, guns and destroying the planet!!!!!!!

That is all.

[Philip Walker]

Like Justin Hinchcliffe (1302), I have doubted Nadine Dorries’ pro-life credentials. I understand she is pro-early abortions. Therefore she wouldn’t value human life from conception. But that shouldn’t minimise the good she’s doing in her efforts to reduce the upper time limit – that might not be all we’d want, but 12 weeks or even 20, would be better than where we are now and save at least a few babies.

Any Tory ‘Sarah Palin’ would obviously be socially conservative and therefore have to be prepared for attack from the anti-conservative media such as the BBC and Guardian, who’d rake through their lives looking for misdemeanours (however long ago) and reasons to hound them out or prevent them holding office.

[Philip Walker]

Like Justin Hinchcliffe (1302), I have doubted Nadine Dorries’ pro-life credentials. I understand she is pro-early abortions. Therefore she wouldn’t value human life from conception. But that shouldn’t minimise the good she’s doing in her efforts to reduce the upper time limit – that might not be all we’d want, but 12 weeks or even 20, would be better than where we are now and save at least a few babies.

Any Tory ‘Sarah Palin’ would obviously be socially conservative and therefore have to be prepared for attack from the anti-conservative media such as the BBC and Guardian, who’d rake through their lives looking for misdemeanours (however long ago) and reasons to hound them out or prevent them holding office.

[labradoodledoo]

RichardJ - No, you do not agree with Nadine's position on abortion in any way whatsoever, quite the opposite.
I do and I know that when an MP takes a stand on such an issue they have to withstand an avalanche of abuse and personal attacks.
I imagine yours scored pretty low on the Richter scale.

[Peter Berrow]

I'm sorry Anne but the Democrats are not more Libertarian in view as Republicans. As for do we have a Sarah Palin, well I think our system stops us having one as she got where she is by fighting against the party elders and we don't in reality allow anything like that to happen?

[Norm Brainer]

"Any Tory ‘Sarah Palin’ would obviously be socially conservative"

but, why?
The question was to find an " up-and-coming and under-used talent who has the potential to connect with new voters."

Which given the poll that was made to find authoritarian views only had a -1% approval, there is no "silent majority" in the party that you (or someone else above) claim.

Maybe this social conservatism has been around in the party for a long while but it does not fit and is hypocritical.
ie. you want to meddle with businesses less, but people's lives more? and assume that you live a perfect life and will never be touched by authoritarian rules, so it's OK to restrict everyone else.

[graham wood]

Terry. Thanks for your supporting comment -"You are no troll" OK!.
I believe you are correct in saying that the party seeks to impose a non Conservative social agenda on the rest of the party. Indeed so - the electorate is equally discerning in spotting no essential differences between Newlab and NewCon!
Both are 'statist' parties, but by far the biggest uniting factor is, yes you've guessed it, broad agreement between both on membership of the EU which is progressively destroying our democracy, economy, liberal free trade culture, and costing an arm and leg. Take but two recent examples of EU driven damage inflicted on DOMESTIC and internal matters of real importance to ordinary people.
1. Post Office closures resulting directly from an EU "directive" about which the government can do nothing.
2. As if the housing market problems are not enough they are excerbated by the EU's directive which, we are told, could force tens of thousands of sellers to take their homes off the market when, from October, it will be illegal to sell homes without an (Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
Directive 2002/91/EC.
So it is not only social policies, but interference in ALL policy areas.
DC has promised a post Lisbon referendum - but we wait to see whether he will forget all about it, if or when he gets into government. His track record of honouring promises on EU matters is not encouraging!
To return to Palin and the US election - would she, or either party agree to governance by say, Canada, or Mexico in the same way as the UK is governed by Brussels?

[David_at_Home]

Graham [email protected],

"DC has promised a post Lisbon referendum "

Has he? Where and when?

If only this were true, I might even consider voting Tory at the next General Election. In fact I would vote for the Devil himself (or even Gordon Brown!) if this were to trigger a course of events which might allow us to leave the political EU.

[graham wood]

"DC has promised a post Lisbon referendum "

Has he? Where and when?

David. Whoa! Don't get too excited - you know what politicos promises are like before a possible general election. They are like confetti before the wedding.
The promise was made by Wm Hague in October or November last year - I quote:
"So let everyone be clear: A Conservative government will hold a referendum on any EU treaty which emerges from the current negotiations (Lisbon). And I can tell you today that we will go further: the next Conservative government will amend the 1972 European Communities Act, so that if any future government agrees any treaty that transfers further competences from Britain to the EU a national referendum before it could be ratified would be required by law"

There is an important rider to this statement which many regarded as tongue in cheek by WH, in that of course no further "treaty" would ever be required by the EU post Lisbon as it contains all the powers it needs for full executive government of the UK and member states. Lisbon in effect is not a treaty but an instrument of government. The Irish saved us, temporarily, from a ghastly prospect.
I do hope you will keep pressing DC as to whether he intends to honour this clear pledge about which I and many others have deep doubts, but glad to see your closing comments on your voting intentions!

[Steve]

"What about Esther McVey in Wirral, she is surely an up and coming talent!"

Are you having a laugh?!?!

[David_at_Home]

Graham [email protected]

"David. Whoa! Don't get too excited ......I do hope you will keep pressing DC "

Thank you for clarifying the small print.

So, after all, I will keep up the pressure on DC and every other member of the Lib-Lab-Con by continuing to vote for UKIP, the only party for which I have voted since Maastricht.

[Joe Cookson]

'The last thing the Conservative party needs is a hockey mum from the stone age';
better that than an upper class twit who belongs in the 1930s...

Does the party have a Sarah Palin? No, because we've forgotten what Conservatism is about. Can't wait for us to remember!

[Dominic Paul]

I agree with Peter Watson Lindsay Jenkins stands head and shoulders over anybody in the Conservative party she has been the best candidate the Conservative party was afraid to select. Lindsay is a prolific speaker with brains and ability and would wipe the floor with any of the Shadow Cabinet as she did a few years ago ripping apart Theresa Villiers in knowledge and delivery. Not many candidates would have half the experience and knowledge Lindsay could contribute. And in answer to Comstock regarding Theresa her outings on question time have been embarrassing.

[Edward Huxley]

Don`t think we need American style politics here with running mates etc. However, Sarah Palin was reported on the BBC 6`oclock news as saying she is not a believer in man made global warming.

Bully for her. a sensible poliician!