Thursday, June 07, 2007

And if One Green Bottle...

I read in the Daily Mail this morning an article that said that Edward Leigh is chairman of the Cornerstone Group of more than 40 Conservative MPs. 'I'm sure there aren't 40 now', I thought to myself. So I went to check on the Cornerstone 'Rogues' Gallery' HERE. Indeed, it seems that Cornerstone now has a mere 28 members. Several have joined the ranks of the 'disappeared'. Robert Goodwill, who used to be a member - disappeared. Angela Watkinson - disappeared. Andrew Selous - disappeared. Can anyone identify the rest? Who will be next? I understand there will be another high profile disappearance in the coming weeks. The party bigwigs are said to be none too enthusiastic about frontbenchers being members of Cornerstone.

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Who says that G. Brown has the monopoly on being Stalinist - with the 'disappeared' etc.

Anonymous said...

One of them is Laurence Robertson the useless Tewkesbury MP. Why did my former colleagues ever select him. Ashamed to say I was on the selection committee which selected him (although proud to say I did all I could to stop him). But for the shire county set if you're not gay, or a women with kids (oh the horror of it) then you get selected by default.

Shame he's useless.

The Huntsman said...

It would be damaging to the Conservative Party as a whole if the leadership, which in the recent Grammar Schools debacle has shown itself intolerant of dissent, is seen to be trying to stifle legitimate and intelligent debate by having the Whips make midnight calls on members of the Cornerstone Group one by one, or if that perception is given.

This is a disquieting story and you will be doing a good service if you follow it up with further enquiries to see why people have left.

Iain Dale's Rabbit said...

Have you approached anyone for comment on this 'story' Iain?

Anonymous said...
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Newmania said...

What do you have against Cornerstone Iain .?The only one of them I ever met was Johns Hayes and seemed a good sort to me. What exactly is the problem with them , social Conservatism must surely remain represented in the Conservative Party ?

Anonymous said...

Today's bigwigs are in fact very little wigs.

Anonymous said...

Keep the debate going.Excellent new approach.Leigh and Woodhead have the right approach.
I'm sure we can all agree that the Woodhead approach carries slightly more weight than Dave's.
The number of members is a side issue-that the debate continues is important.
Well done ID.

Anonymous said...

Edward Leigh has the best haircut in politics, whenever he is on TV, his barnet brightens up my day.

Anonymous said...

Cornerstone? Tombstone more like

Anonymous said...

machiavelli-the very old jokes aint always the best.
chin chin

Newmania said...

...some of these jokes will be making their final appearance tonight ladies and gentlemen.....

Anonymous said...

Edwina two nights running?

Anonymous said...

"The Cornerstone Group of Conservative MPs is working to make the case for a Conservatism founded on patriotism...".

Yes I can see that Dave won't be having any of that sort of thing in the Conservative Party. If Dave forces a chice, I'm with Cornerstone...and I suspect others will be as well.

Anonymous said...

about 3 others

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

anon 11.50 right number but lot of noughts missing.

Anonymous said...

could be wrong on this, but im not sure andrew selous considers himself ever to have been a member of cornerstone.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070417/debtext/70417-0007.htm#07041779000383

Anonymous said...

about 0000000000000003 others. :-)

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

A wag and a comediene.Congrats.
chin chin

Anonymous said...

Simple questions.

Do we live in a democratic society?

Is the conservative party going to stand by and see the "broad church" become a conformist chapel?

Are Conservatives weak and afraid to kick the Cameron man into touch?

Ken Clarke proved yesterday that HE IS the man to lead the Tories.

Anonymous said...

One interesting aspect that no one has picked up on is the proportion of the MPs listed on the Cornerstone webpage who were first elected in 2005. The Group appears to enjoy disproportionate support from newly elected Members.

Laurence Boyce said...

I love the Cornerstone group. Makes me glad to be a Lib Dem!

Manfarang said...

anon 12:16
Is the Conservative Party going to stand by and see the "broad church" become a conformist chapel?

Yes of course!
Conservatives are conformists.

Anonymous said...

Oh dear - Edward Leigh and the Cornerstone Group.

How pointless are they? Very.

How boring are they? Very.

Anonymous said...

boyce-i'm sure we all share your joy at you being ld.

Anonymous said...

canvas :your a tough lady but we enjoy your in depth analysis.

Newmania said...

LAURENCE- One way to resolve Party differneces is to have no beiefs at all .Is this why you are glad to be a Lib Dem ?
( Doubt anyone esle would have you with that beard)

Laurence Boyce said...

No, I’ve got loads of beliefs. Not sure they all coincide with Lib Dem ones though! And what’s wrong with my beard? You can hardly even see it in that photo. And where’s your photo? Go on – dazzle us with your beauty!

Anonymous said...

Great work by Leigh and Woodhead.
Would Eton Dave benefit from a good briefing on the subject?

Newmania said...

LAURENCE SAID And what’s wrong with my beard?

I could answer with greater confidence if you told me which way up the photograph is . I by way of contrast have the body of Michelangelo`s David and the fair visage of Paris but I am unable to supply a photo today

( ahem..)

Anonymous said...

Does Stephen Crabb know that he is in Tombstone?

Anonymous said...

Thought Crabb died years ago in a diving accident.

David Lindsay said...

Why would Cornerstone MPs want to be on Cameron's frontbench? Why are these 28, at least, still even in his party? Assuming that the "disappeared" have not actually changed their views, then the "over 40" should secede, or at least resign the whip until things improve. At the very least, the 28 should do this.

Anonymous said...

Sadly for Dave the number who are unhappy with him greatly outnumbers 40.
It's not just Cornerstone!