tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post3766472891079083471..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Congratulations to Phillip LeeIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-73539610920437412102009-10-19T01:11:11.336+01:002009-10-19T01:11:11.336+01:00Oh well, better luck next time.
It could be the f...Oh well, better luck next time.<br /><br />It could be the fact that your to nice :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-46133947419676487632009-10-18T19:36:37.469+01:002009-10-18T19:36:37.469+01:00Iain, it was the best thing that could have happen...Iain, it was the best thing that could have happened. You would have been a hopeless politican. Stick to blogging - it's far easier and a lot more fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-64650012359373577842009-10-18T19:02:34.354+01:002009-10-18T19:02:34.354+01:00Genuinely sorry you were not chosen. Try to enjoy ...Genuinely sorry you were not chosen. Try to enjoy the family party. It's probably exactly what you need right now.Nich Starlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04237390959601973501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-69336972906383788302009-10-18T18:55:51.504+01:002009-10-18T18:55:51.504+01:00Proof that open primaries are not always the best!...<i>Proof that open primaries are not always the best!</i><br /><br />Why? What can you possibly offer to prove that Dale would be a better candidate than Lee?<br /><br />What amazing arrogance you display in assuming that because your preferred candidate did not win the whole system is wrong.<br /><br />Dale stood; Dale lost; Dale is perfectly at home with that. He had accepted it with good grace and clearly feels that the selection of a strong local candidate is a vindication of the system.<br /><br />People who demand that the system be altered to deliver their preferred candidate would probably be more at home in the Labour Party than in the Conservatives.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-15303530157860601512009-10-18T18:49:30.823+01:002009-10-18T18:49:30.823+01:00Iain - it is such a shame, you would have made a g...Iain - it is such a shame, you would have made a great MP.<br /><br />A bigger shame that the Heatherwood Hospital issue is actually in the neighbouring constituency of Windsor & Maidenhead, perhaps Adam Afriyie should have attended.<br /><br />Would be good for him to actually do something for a change...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-23060521358116281152009-10-18T18:42:26.445+01:002009-10-18T18:42:26.445+01:00Tough for you, Iain.
I bet that up to half of ...Tough for you, Iain.<br /><br />I bet that up to half of 'em don't 'do' the internet ('I'm terribly frightened about all of that crime on line') and that up to three quarters of 'em don't know the difference between a blogger and a bugger.<br /><br />I'll make a suggestion: stand as an independent!Geoffrey Woollardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11104248572431837837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-73627550716352628092009-10-18T18:36:01.733+01:002009-10-18T18:36:01.733+01:00Iain,
Hard, luck, and while personally I do not t...Iain,<br /><br />Hard, luck, and while personally I do not think you quite have what it takes to be an MP, that is not to say that you haven't got a tremendous amount to offer politcal life in Britain. Don't worry about being an MP and continue to do what you do best - sharing and encouraging all people to engage in politics at all levels.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-40583964475744959932009-10-18T17:17:55.950+01:002009-10-18T17:17:55.950+01:00Sorry to hear that Iain. You'd make a great MP...Sorry to hear that Iain. You'd make a great MP and I'm sure you will. Several opportunities yet!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12090454418304272336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-78638525373223694722009-10-18T17:14:57.588+01:002009-10-18T17:14:57.588+01:00Second posting....
I have read the link on events...Second posting....<br /><br />I have read the link on events as they happened. Sadly, Iain you did not stand a chance against a local GP. Somehow, local practitioners are seen as having God like qualities. Further, the local hospital being an issue was a further obstacle. Impossible situation but from the minute of proceedings you excelled in your presentation which I would expect from you.<br /><br /><br />Do keep trying Iain and withdraw if you are up against a local doctor again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-14026838085027358422009-10-18T16:20:55.012+01:002009-10-18T16:20:55.012+01:00Iain
You have accepted defeat with grace and dign...Iain<br /><br />You have accepted defeat with grace and dignity- Well i actually would not call it defeat as you made the primary more interesting.<br /><br />Im not a Tory party supporter but if you were in my constituency i would find it hard to vote against you.<br /><br />You are believe it or not more of an asset to the Tory party were you are now- You pioneered Conservative blogging in the UK and nobody can ever take that contribution to the Tory party away from you.DMCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-66162269909982908422009-10-18T15:37:34.651+01:002009-10-18T15:37:34.651+01:00Congratulations to Philip Lee, however, I am sorry...Congratulations to Philip Lee, however, I am sorry that you were not selected, Iain, I think you would make a brilliant MP.<br /><br />Have to say that, for a number of reasons, I find this emerging pattern of selecting doctors as candidates a disturbing one. <br /><br />One of the major weaknesses of our parliament is that it's over-engorged with lawyers and other professionals who have a very poor grasp of the lives of the majority of most of us.<br /><br />Such professionals a clueless about enterprise culture and how to foster this<br /><br />Stuffing parliament with doctors because HO believes they have the moral authority to win elections will simply exacerbate these problems.<br /><br />Doctors are addicted to state funding and big state.<br /><br />Most doctors I know are arrogant elitists who have 'nanny state knows best' stamped into their DNA<br /><br />Unless we recruit parliamentarians from a far more diverse pool of talent, we will both increase the alienation between parliament and people and end up with an even more useless parliament and government than we have now.<br /><br />No more doctors, please.Auntie Flo'noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-54754569201473101872009-10-18T15:15:53.741+01:002009-10-18T15:15:53.741+01:00Proof that open primaries are not always the best!...Proof that open primaries are not always the best!<br /><br />Please don't rule out attempting to stand again - that which does not kill you can only make you stronger. As many people here have said; live and learn.<br /><br />Look at the age of most people on the Tory benches - you've decades left until you can retire!Cardiff Bloggerhttp://cardiffblogger.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-54118402401091888022009-10-18T14:57:23.204+01:002009-10-18T14:57:23.204+01:00Maybe there is more to Mr Lee
That's Dr. Lee....<i>Maybe there is more to Mr Lee</i><br /><br />That's <b>Dr.</b> Lee.<br /><br /><i>than his facile “guiding political principles”</i><br /><br />And what exactly is facile about them? Presumably the fact that Dr. Lee doesn't have the Labour Party's engorged member in his mouth.<br /><br />Labour: you just can' help yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-13675500458393018952009-10-18T14:53:15.353+01:002009-10-18T14:53:15.353+01:00Sorry to hear that you weren't selected.Sorry to hear that you weren't selected.Graybohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07507596426233500709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-41015742014686052462009-10-18T14:47:12.415+01:002009-10-18T14:47:12.415+01:00Politics is now all about honesty and rebuilding t...Politics is now all about honesty and rebuilding trust.<br /> In light of that I feel I have to be honest and say that I'm quite glad Iain remains free to write what he wants in his blog.<br /> A bit selfish of me really. Naughty me. Obviously I'm sorry that Iain's gutted.<br /><br /> Dr Lee sounds like he'll be a great candidate.Conandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18028671462205997161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-23051330472772793772009-10-18T14:45:39.027+01:002009-10-18T14:45:39.027+01:00Hard luck, Iain.
I would rather have you as my MP...Hard luck, Iain.<br /><br />I would rather have you as my MP than the present incumbent. He is Tory, not a conspicuous trougher, but also not very spectacular in any other respect either.<br /><br />I understand there is a Labour marginal coming up at Redditch soon. Why not try that?MikeyPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02628881766409720006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-7566125250107866102009-10-18T14:09:24.615+01:002009-10-18T14:09:24.615+01:00My commiserations Iain but as a supporter of local...My commiserations Iain but as a supporter of local candidates I feel that the constituency might be better served by one than by an outsider.Victor, NW Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14778890471547456396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-48794799319514574762009-10-18T13:29:02.206+01:002009-10-18T13:29:02.206+01:00Well, well, well, these open primaries are not qui...Well, well, well, these open primaries are not quite so lily-white as they claim to be. It seems that in Macclesfield a local candidate was not allowed onto the list of 6 (and our Dave was seeking to bend the rules and add a 7th person to the list).<br /><br />In my view local people, given the choice, would prefer the genuinely local candidate rather than one "parachuted" in from the centre. Open primaries are giving them the choice so a tension arises when a local favourite is not permitted onto the list!Osama the Nazarenenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-19963767400050438822009-10-18T13:10:16.112+01:002009-10-18T13:10:16.112+01:00Hard luck, I think you would have restored some co...Hard luck, I think you would have restored some confidence, do try again. <br /><br />L.A.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-4618536812494817502009-10-18T12:48:47.977+01:002009-10-18T12:48:47.977+01:00Hard luck Iain, better luck next time.
I find it ...Hard luck Iain, better luck next time.<br /><br />I find it quite fascinating that Open Primaries much prefer local people. You and many like you have been banging on about that for quite a long time.<br /><br />In the West Country IF the conservatives do not have 'local' candidates as opposed to 'blow ins' or people whose 'in the auntie or granny lived or lives in the constituency' you have no chance whatsoever.<br /><br />But Cameron has been warned so many times.<br /><br />So, iain, it has to be a Norfolk/Suffolk seat for you!strapworldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18228784526399929300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-53618862040364177542009-10-18T12:46:32.556+01:002009-10-18T12:46:32.556+01:00I sympathise with your disappointment, Iain, but I...I sympathise with your disappointment, Iain, but I'd like to see a bit more analysis of the result. It is generous of you to praise Philip Lee, but why did he win? What did he say/not say that you didn't? Were there policy differences? Was he more local? Which factors do you feel came into play in the choice?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-34068036424145804122009-10-18T12:19:58.535+01:002009-10-18T12:19:58.535+01:00Some people are better placed to be able to take 5...Some people are better placed to be able to take 5 years out of a proffesion than others. One reason why we have so many lawyers. GPs are now getting so much money that like lawyers they can earn a life times worth of money in a few years then go into politics without having to worry too much about earning a living after.<br /><br />Those of us with jobs rather than careers have no chance. Not only do we not move in the right circles to come into contact with the right people to get a start on the ladder we could after 5 years find ourselfs unemployed and near unemployable.Ron Toddnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-79502238132366317652009-10-18T11:42:29.025+01:002009-10-18T11:42:29.025+01:00So all the time and money that UK plc spent traini...So all the time and money that UK plc spent training up this GP have been a total waste then.<br /><br />If we had one term MPs who solely wanted to take 5 years out and serve their country then it would make sense but as it is, sense it does not make.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-75493605901449018332009-10-18T11:36:12.757+01:002009-10-18T11:36:12.757+01:00Agree with Plato, perhaps it's better that you...Agree with Plato, perhaps it's better that you're doing what you do from outside the tent.Twighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16698620636313191152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-24663817039339670882009-10-18T11:24:07.597+01:002009-10-18T11:24:07.597+01:00Maybe there is more to Mr Lee than his facile “gui...Maybe there is more to Mr Lee than his facile “guiding political principles” <br /><br />• the value of small government<br />• the value of low taxation<br />• the importance of personal responsibility<br />• the value of liberty<br />• the supremacy of the Nation state<br /><br />I wonder how many Tory candidates at the General Election will be standing on a similar empty and prejudiced platform. Most of them I expect. The principles are easy to demolish and no doubt thoughtful commentators in Bracknell and elsewhere will do so. But for now let me just comment as follows:<br /><br /> Insufficiently interventionary Governments caused the financial crises in the United States and Britain. Smaller government would have made this worse not better.<br /><br /> Everyone would like “low taxation” but in a mixed economy taxes have to be at an appropriate level to maintain life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all – and you can’t leave those things to the market!<br /><br /> “Personal responsibility” is easy for those like Mr Lee (and Mr Dale!) who are professionals, personally committed to public service and comfortably off. It’s a bit more difficult for an ill-educated and socially-deprived single mother on a sink estate.<br /><br /> “Liberty” is a subjective concept. A basic principle of any society is that freedoms have to be curtailed to some extent. And that is the job of Government. To “value liberty” is a platitude – to propose where the line between personal freedoms and the public good should be drawn is much more difficult. Real Politik!<br /><br /> The “Supremacy of the Nation Sate” is another platitude and facile code for being a Eurosceptic. At the heart of the modern world is the principle that whilst the Nation State is of course supreme there is an unavoidable need for partnerships across national borders. Whether it is the UN or NATO or the EU some surrendering of national sovereignty is not just essential - it is morally right.Paddy Briggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17847108655078927970noreply@blogger.com