Four more MPs declare for David Cameron

Three members of Liam Fox’s campaign team (Stephen O’Brien, Oliver Heald and Justine Greening) plus John Hayes MP, a co-founder of the Cornerstone Group have declared today for David Cameron.

Comments

[James Turner]

I knew it!

I wonder if LF is going to stay silent. That's the safest way. He gets a job at the top table either way.

[Jack Stone]

Davis supporters try to smear DC by implying he is some sort of leftie Clarkitte but the fact that he as the support of MP`s from left, right and centre I think shows that he is more of a pragmatist who judges each policy on its merits rather than a ideoligist like some in the party who believes that the Copnservative party have the answers for everything.
I also think that it boads well for the party that he as the breath of this support as I am sure that it will help the party become more united than it as for years.

[Greyman]

I agree with Jack Stone. We need a leader who can convince all sections of the party that he is 'one of them'. Just like John Major.

[Derek]

Very witty, Greyman. Looking at the problems Tony Blair is facing, is a reminder of the revolts that Major had to face. In the end a party cannot be lead where its MPs don't want to go. We must have a leader who is in tune with the majority of the party.

[Sam]

As much as I hate using the "right-left" differentiation to describe Tory MP's, which I habitually criticise myself, I'm surprise by how many MP's from the "right" appear to be "ABD'S" (Anyone But Davis.)

Is there an obvious reason for this seeming grudge- perhaps something I've missed?

It's seriously concerning that if Davis can't even bind up support among the right of the Party post-Fox, what hope will he have of bringing unity should he win?

[James Hellyer]

I think a lot of the hostility to Davis from the "right wing" Mps like Bill Cash owes rather more to his past as a whip when the Maastricht Treaty was being forced through parliament, than any vote of confidence in either man's abilities.

[Cllr Iain Lindley]

If Davis cannot even unite his own wing of the Party then he hasn't got a hope in hell of uniting the Party and winning a General Election.

Only one candidate commands support from across the broad church that is the Conservative Party - David Cameron.

[James Hellyer]

Thank you for that piece of agitprop, Iain. Not having an MP vote for a candidate does not mean that the MP in question would not support the candidate if they became leader, it simply means that for whatever reason they prefer another candidate on offer.

[Daniel Vince-Archer]

"Davis supporters try to smear DC by implying he is some sort of leftie Clarkitte [sic]."

Got any evidence to back up this assertion Jack? Of course not. Why change the habits of a lifetime now eh?

"the fact that he as [sic] the support of MP`s [sic] from left, right and centre... I also think that it boads [sic] well for the party that he as [sic] the breath [sic] of this support..."

Strange how you're not dispensing the same sort of poisonous bile about Cornerstone and right-wingers now, isn't it Jack? I see consistency is just as much a stranger to you as fact, reason and spelling.

"Only one candidate commands support from across the broad church that is the Conservative Party - David Cameron."

I'm sure those swivel-eyed foaming-mouthed right-wing bigots Damian Green and David Willetts would agree with you Iain.

[Cllr Iain Lindley]

Damian Green is a sell-out who took the best job offer. I was told all the way back in June by a prominent Davis supporter - trying to convince me of his broad-church credentials - that Green would be appointed Party Chairman under Davis.

[James Hellyer]

Ah yes, Iain and his anonymous sources. How credible.

[Ted]

Daniel
But have we seen Willetts since his appearance in the undated video (no newspaper with date in same shot)? As for other DD supporters - I've heard rumours about Whips and notebooks...:-)

Seriously though what is heartening is this doesn't look like a straight left/right split - both candidates seem to have a broader backing (though with 105 declared supporters DC does have the broadest I think).

[Iain Dale]

Well here's an Iain who actually knows the truth. Not a single DD supporter was promised any job at all - Damian Green, David Willetts, Andrew Mitchell, Derek Conway...not even little old me. And that's the way it should be.

[Daniel Vince-Archer]

"Ah yes, Iain and his anonymous sources. How credible."

I nearly made this point James H, but didn't want to deny you the pleasure ;-)

Iain clearly thinks that none of Cameron's 'supporters' are gloryhunters motivated by the 'gizza job' factor.

[Daniel Vince-Archer]

And by Iain, I meant Iain L, not Iain D!

[Editor]

For those who don't know - the Iain Dale posting above is DD's chief of staff.

[Cllr Iain Lindley]

The source in question was then CF National Chairman Paul Bristow. I understand Paul is presenting the case for Davis at a meeting in Selby later in the month.

I know several people who can collaberate this story if needbe.

[Cllr Iain Lindley]

I nearly made this point James H, but didn't want to deny you the pleasure ;-)

As I've named the supporter in question, I'm sure you'll be happy to retract your gloating. :)

I'm sure there are some supporters of all sides motivated by a "gizza job" factor.

[Daniel Vince-Archer]

"As I've named the supporter in question, I'm sure you'll be happy to retract your gloating. :)"

Of course. Gloating duly retracted. Although I would just like to point out that gloating could have been avoided if you'd named your source in the first place. And no disrespect to Paul Bristow, but Iain Dale is a much more credible source.

[Cllr Iain Lindley]

Well, true, but he can hardly come on here and say "yes, we promised Damian Green a job", can he? :)

[James Hellyer]

"As I've named the supporter in question, I'm sure you'll be happy to retract your gloating. :)"

I most certainly will not. Someone being involved with a campaign does not mean that they know anything about what actually goes on behind the scenes. If anything, this sounds like speculation dressed up as fact.

Several correspondents have noted that contrary to rumours David Davis didn't offer any MPs jobs to get their support (although in fairness, the opposite was said about certain supporters in their dealings with junior MPs).

I think some of you seriously need to consider the difference between fact and rumour.

[Daniel Vince-Archer]

"Well, true, but he can hardly come on here and say "yes, we promised Damian Green a job", can he? :)"

Surely you're not calling Iain Dale a liar? Tsk tsk! ;-)

[Iain Dale]

Last time I looked Paul Bristow, although a very nice chap and DD supporter, wasn't actually part of our campaign team, so quite how he would know that information is very hard to guess. As I say, it's complete rubbish. End of, as Craig in Big Brother would say!