tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post114885662277506035..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: The Choice Facing Bromley & Chislehurst ConservativesIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1149416448786274992006-06-04T11:20:00.000+01:002006-06-04T11:20:00.000+01:00What's your reaction to the news that Bob Neill ha...What's your reaction to the news that Bob Neill has been selected?<BR/><BR/>As an impartial outsider he's always struck me as a decent guy and from what I've seen of him at London Assembly meetings pretty switched on.<BR/><BR/>With Eric Forth's majority it seems pretty likely Mr Neill is going to Westminster!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1149009600199585992006-05-30T18:20:00.000+01:002006-05-30T18:20:00.000+01:00Iain - when they say constituencies can choose a "...Iain - when they say constituencies can choose a "local" candidate, have they defined it? I mean are you restricted to Tunbridge Wells, or can you stand anywhere in Kent or what?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148998086671236192006-05-30T15:08:00.000+01:002006-05-30T15:08:00.000+01:00"Tim Collins was one of the few tories to increase..."Tim Collins was one of the few tories to increase the majority in 1997"<BR/><BR/>You have been misinformed there. Collins succeeded Michael Jopling in the seat and the majority fell by some 12,000 to around 4,000 in 1997, slipped further in 2001 before being lost in 2005.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148995447630134802006-05-30T14:24:00.000+01:002006-05-30T14:24:00.000+01:00Jonathan Calder has an excellent piece here on why...Jonathan Calder has an excellent piece <A HREF="http://liberalengland.blogspot.com/2006/05/tim-collins-bring-it-on.html" REL="nofollow">here</A> on why Tim Collins possibly did more damage to the Tory Party than any other individual in the 1992-97 Parliament.<BR/><BR/>I'll give you a clue: Back to Basics.Paul Linfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01977920120772282561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148983508556816112006-05-30T11:05:00.000+01:002006-05-30T11:05:00.000+01:00Anonymous said...David Cameron joined Tim Collins,...Anonymous said...<BR/><I>David Cameron joined Tim Collins,Eleanor Laing,Robert Halfon and a few minor local Conservatives for a dinner at the home of Collin's mother who leads Epping Forest District Council.Any clue here? </I><BR/><BR/>Well I seem to remember 200 other people being at this dinner as well. That is hardly a few, for a supper to sort out the future of Bromley & Chislehurst.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148935970474852002006-05-29T21:52:00.000+01:002006-05-29T21:52:00.000+01:00In other circumstances I would loved to have had a...In other circumstances I would loved to have had a go, but seeing as I am not on the A List it's all rather academic anyway!Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148933478085665452006-05-29T21:11:00.000+01:002006-05-29T21:11:00.000+01:00Iain - Interesting that you're not denying an inte...Iain - Interesting that you're not denying an interest either!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148931274343880912006-05-29T20:34:00.000+01:002006-05-29T20:34:00.000+01:00Harry, well I've not read that - and I've not said...Harry, well I've not read that - and I've not said it! Love to know where you saw it though.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148930950034416382006-05-29T20:29:00.000+01:002006-05-29T20:29:00.000+01:00Might be a point to get in touch with the local ne...Might be a point to get in touch with the local newspaper and warn them that their name be taken in vain:<BR/><BR/>http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/article/270406/editor_outraged_at_lib_dems_claim_of_papers_endorsement<BR/><BR/>That as well as get them to expose fake polls the Liberals say have been carried out, scaremongering about closures and threats to pensioners and smear like insinuations towards other candidates.<BR/><BR/>Expose the liars and the voters will then not be fooled by them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148930846906653592006-05-29T20:27:00.000+01:002006-05-29T20:27:00.000+01:00I did read somewhere that you fancied a bit of a g...I did read somewhere that you fancied a bit of a go actually.Harry Hayfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07507866938834105572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148927229124272202006-05-29T19:27:00.000+01:002006-05-29T19:27:00.000+01:00Fan though I am of Howard Flight, I fear that sele...Fan though I am of Howard Flight, I fear that selecting him for B&C would A - spark a hissy fit from Michael Howard, and B - allow the Socialists to trot out the 'same old evil Tories' line. I would think it would be in Mr Flight's <I>long term</I> interest to lay comparatively low for now.Croydonianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14670533609622717223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148925218428387442006-05-29T18:53:00.000+01:002006-05-29T18:53:00.000+01:00Tim Collins was one of the few tories to increase ...Tim Collins was one of the few tories to increase the majority in 1997, however he let things slip over the following years and wasn't seen very much in W&L once he became a shadow minister. This allowed the Libdem to race arround the seat. He was told several times that he needed to be seen more often, or else could lose the seat. However he (& some of his local party) probably thought that a national swing would see them right. Others like David Davis & Theresa May raised their local profile. They increased their majorities and he lost his seat. <BR/><BR/>No doubt a London seat would suit Tim Collins but whether he deserves it is another matterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148922770444084922006-05-29T18:12:00.000+01:002006-05-29T18:12:00.000+01:00Tim Collins is not the person you want in a fight ...Tim Collins is not the person you want in a fight with the LibDems, he completely screwed up westmerlond & lonsdale. He didnt even see it coming, he had no feel for his constituency, and allowed the liberals a free reign.<BR/><BR/>It was him, and him alone that lost that seat, he is specifically the kind of person we dont wantAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148922228416389832006-05-29T18:03:00.000+01:002006-05-29T18:03:00.000+01:00If Tim Collins is looking for a winnable seat to f...If Tim Collins is looking for a winnable seat to fight might I suggest Westmoreland & C - think it needs only a tiny swing to go Conservative. C'mon Tim show your local committment and take the fight to the Limps in your old seat. Win it back. <BR/><BR/>The Limp Dems are praying that DC parachutes in an outsider & one they have beaten once already (who also looks & sounds very "old, pre DC Con") would be a bonus.<BR/><BR/>If DC wants a win he must look to Upminster. What matters here is not getting another witty speaker to Westminster (we do have enough already), all that matters is winning. To beat the Libs go with a safe local worthy. Who cares if he/she is never heard of again, what matters is winning the by-election and giving us +ve poll momentum and -ve mo to the Libs and Blair.<BR/><BR/>Get your westminster stars elected by selectng them for safe seats at the General election. The lib dems will make this a Local contest. The Cons must fight them with their own tactics not play into their hands.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148919167092344842006-05-29T17:12:00.000+01:002006-05-29T17:12:00.000+01:00Dale for Bromley!Dale for Bromley!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148912841449745912006-05-29T15:27:00.000+01:002006-05-29T15:27:00.000+01:00"Follow the Money" Although Betfair have only rece..."Follow the Money" Although Betfair have only recently opened a book on the B&C By-Election and to date a modest £1000 worth of bets have been matched, the current odds are approx:<BR/><BR/>Tories 1-4<BR/><BR/>LibDems 5-1<BR/><BR/>Although there's many a slip'twixt cup and lip, I believe this is what the racing fraternity would refer to as a one horse race!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148911529108090152006-05-29T15:05:00.000+01:002006-05-29T15:05:00.000+01:00Not Collins - please. He may well be sound, but h...Not Collins - please. He may well be sound, but his attempts to be a blue Campbell/Mandelson grate terribly.Croydonianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14670533609622717223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148910327268079902006-05-29T14:45:00.000+01:002006-05-29T14:45:00.000+01:00Positively i think the choice should be of two ver...Positively i think the choice should be of two very different Conservatives:-<BR/><BR/> Howard Flight or Derek Laud<BR/><BR/> Howard Flight is very hard working:- When he was placed in one of the shadow treasury positions a couple of years ago. I wrote to him (e-mailed him) about my concern of the tax credit abolishion on shares and the effects it had on pensions now and in the future. Howard Flight would be a good parliamentarian to follow in the vein of a master.<BR/><BR/>I am not a high net value individual or an opinion former of great significants but the guy wrote back to me in some depth about his plans in the future to raise the profile of this distorting labour government initiative. I think the bloke would be good to follow in Eric Forth's footsteps in B & C as he has good intelectual rigour - principle and loyality given the the A & C treatment before the last election.<BR/><BR/>Alternatively i would like to see a Derek Laud become the member for B & C - Why? He peronifies everything DC is trying to change the party for the better - He is also acceptable to the public, intellectually dynamic and principled. He would divery the tory party on two obvious fronts and has good party experience and contacts.<BR/><BR/>The person i would like least of all to run in B & C is that Tim Collins - the personification of Terresa May's Nasty party or that's how he presents himself- he is the worsed person to present at a by-election i can think there might be. He is a hatchet man - a norman tebbit like creature - he may be useful in government but in oppisition he is useless. To use the cameron phrase he is an analogue politian in a digital age!!! Until he undergoes an upgrade his worth in a by-election is as useful as a boat with holes in it.<BR/><BR/>Andrew JonesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148910292402915542006-05-29T14:44:00.000+01:002006-05-29T14:44:00.000+01:00What about Howard Flight? According to the telegr...What about Howard Flight? According to the telegraph, he is letting his name go forward. He would be the prefect man to take overthe mantle of Forth. And he is on the 'A' list.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148908563348176902006-05-29T14:16:00.000+01:002006-05-29T14:16:00.000+01:00Iain, I agree that the Tory Party cannot and shoul...Iain, I agree that the Tory Party cannot and should not take this By-Election for granted, but neither should it become neurotic about the prospects of losing it.<BR/><BR/>Let's be clear - it's at worst a two horse race between them and the LibDems and with the current opinion polls showing them enjoying twice the support of the support of their opponenents nationally,coupled with Ming's well reported difficulties, it remains very difficult to see how the Tories could lose in their heartland - it will surely take a great deal more than some swish LibDem campaign offices to convince the B&C electorate differently.<BR/><BR/>My advice someone to pick someone sound, safe and local.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148907604672661232006-05-29T14:00:00.000+01:002006-05-29T14:00:00.000+01:00media savvy' and in a phrase you have summed up th...media savvy' and in a phrase you have summed up the reason for the general public turning off politics.<BR/><BR/>The public are fed up of spin (they can now read between the lies), they want conviction politics with hard and fast policies. Actions not words.Anoneumousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09825132566496729272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148902724094722612006-05-29T12:38:00.000+01:002006-05-29T12:38:00.000+01:00If Tim Collins fights Bromley and Chislehurst in t...If Tim Collins fights Bromley and Chislehurst in the same way he fought Westmorland and Lonsdale then we can kiss goodbye to another safe Conservative seat. I also feel that he hasn't been able to accept himself personally that one of the reasons behind his defeat was his own actions and performance, and it looks like he hasn't learned from his defeat either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148901564279025922006-05-29T12:19:00.000+01:002006-05-29T12:19:00.000+01:00Good lord. Whoever would have thought there could ...Good lord. Whoever would have thought there could be another ridiculous egomaniac called John Hemming(-Clark) in this world? Surely <A HREF="http://hemmingsway.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">one</A> is enough?<BR/><BR/>As for the ridiculous egomaniac you mention, I simply can't *ahem* <I>imagine</I> who you are referring to!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148901261449357772006-05-29T12:14:00.000+01:002006-05-29T12:14:00.000+01:00Liz Truss has been the one touted by some newspape...Liz Truss has been the one touted by some newspapers as the frontrunner.<BR/><BR/>Tony Flaig....no!James Maskellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15441611588943798565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1148897928904862112006-05-29T11:18:00.000+01:002006-05-29T11:18:00.000+01:00I assumed Liz Truss would be applying given she's ...I assumed Liz Truss would be applying given she's an A Lister, a woman, and Bromley is virtually next door to where she is a councillor in Greenwich making her (sort of) local.dizzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04250325010662356883noreply@blogger.com