I've been asked to go on
Newsnight tonight to talk about the A List. I'll be on in a discussion with Sayeeds Warsi. I've thought long and hard about whether to do it. Don't expect toys to be thrown out of prams, but I have a few points I want to make. I don't normally get nervous about interviews...but...
Be firm. You won't be diminished if you are principled. Crawling impresses nobody.
ReplyDeleteThis could be a mistake. If you really want to become an MP: pull out of the interview.
ReplyDeletecame on to say......and Nell had already said it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, I haven't been reading your blog long enough to have an opinion on you personally as a potential MP, but the contrast between, the talk about decentralising the power to choose MPs through the use of primaries- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/04/12/ntory12.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/04/12/ixhome.html
ReplyDeleteand the grubby reality which sees the power going to a self perpetuating elite within the party, is frankly staggering.
Good luck, I haven't been reading your blog long enough to have an opinion on you personally as a potential MP, but the contrast between the talk about decentralising the power to choose MPs through the use of primaries- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/04/12/ntory12.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/04/12/ixhome.html
ReplyDeleteand the grubby reality which sees the power going to a self perpetuating elite within the party, is frankly staggering.
Good luck on the programme Iain, I hope you put your (very understandable) disappointment over in a dignified way that does you credit, and that any criticism of the leadership is calm, measured, fair and above all, doesn't undermine your future prospects!!
ReplyDeleteI have to almost agree with the anonymous post. The Beeb want you on to counter Warsi, who has got on the list (despite her views on homosexuality and lack of speaking prowess).
ReplyDeleteYou are being lined up to be the anti-establishment interviewee. I would honestly pull out.
Parachuting chosen candidates into safe seats against the will of the local party members will destroy the local party organisation.
ReplyDeleteIt hasn't done the Labour Party an awful lot of good.
But then, Dishy Dave is following the Blair path to power - he even posed with Cameron's Coven of Councillors today. Follow him at your peril.
A great dresser, eh, Iain?
ReplyDeleteVery dignified performance on Newsnight - Thought the referee analogy was fab.
ReplyDeleteShe's not wrong - that tie was great!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea of publishing the list, actually.
Iain
ReplyDeleteSorry you did not make the Conservative Party Candidate List.
The English Democrats would welcome you as a candidate for the next General Election !
Regards
Steve
Iain - loved the tie!
ReplyDeleteShort but sweet in the end.
Thought you did very well Iain, got some points across without seeming bitter or angry! (as i am sure you arent).
ReplyDeleteCome and apply for my less marginal seat and id love to have you as candidate!...
Good show. You have my sincerest sympathies for not being selected for the A-list; I'm sure most online Tories agree you deserve to be on. I'm sure you'll get a winnable seat.
ReplyDeleteJust watched Newsnight and I thought you came over very well, Iain. You made the right critical points without being destructive towards the party.
ReplyDeleteIain
ReplyDeleteSaw it.
I thought you were digified and persuasive.
I have to say (and I know you won't want to comment) but I am worried that, much as I want a change, there is too much central control freakery going on here.
Shades of Campbell?
John
The video of the interview is here.
ReplyDeleteWhat made me laugh most about the clone who was up against you that she kept referring to the first class list quality of people on the A list and in effect puffing herself up. This has the potential to result in lots of Tory constituency partys rebelling and following the Blenau Gwent approach. Not good for your party and not good for democracy.
ReplyDelete