Sunday, July 02, 2006

Folkestone Selection Update

The final three for Folkestone and Hythe are Harriett Baldwin, Laura Sandys and Damian Collins. The final meeting is on 13 July.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting; I know that both Sandys and Baldwin come across as outstanding. But I was once told by a constituency deputy chairman that he had devised a 'strategy' to avoid a woman being selected. "Have a final shortlist of 3, and include 2 women," he told me cheerfully, "then no one can posibly accuse the association of sexism, but you can almost guarantee the man will be selected - he will stand out to the association as the only man, and the 'we'd like a woman MP' crowd will be split on the final vote."

From the run-up to the last GE I saw that the 'strategy' worked in lots of seats - Broxbourne, Arundel & South Downs, Reading East...

Anonymous said...

I really hope that's not true, because H Baldwin has served her time in a tough seat and is a truly great candidate. Also, she is apparently making waves and is through in several seats, bit like Heaton-Harris.

Don't know anything about the other two, so no knock on them.

Anonymous said...

I think it's a good strategy, Anonymous. I absolutely loathe "positive discrimination". If a woman is good enough, she'll get through without anyone taking her elbow and helping her up on the kerb.

Positive discrimination results in "Blair's babes" and the coven in the cabinet.

Anonymous said...

Does the Deputy Chairman 'nobble' the Executive Committee then? Locally, a selection panel has reduced the list to 6, the Exec will then whittle it down to 2 or 3 before a final vote of all the members.

Anonymous said...

I saw no sign of any 'strategy' to select a man, and I certainly wasn't 'nobbled'! The only concern driving us locally is the need to choose a candidate who can resoundingly defeat the Don't Know Democrats, which I think any of the final 3 are more than capable of doing!

Anonymous said...

i cant believe what i have just read the same is happening in the staffs moorlands 2 women one man and the deposed chairman is pushing for the man who is not on the a list and got in under false pretences!!!!!!!!!!
sent by local tory councillor

Anonymous said...

Just choose the best candidate. Central office should realise the cream, male or female, will rise to the top and they should not press for female candidates, but press for THE BEST CANDIDATE, male female, black, white - thats how we will do well in opposition and have a chance at what we really want government.

Anonymous said...

I sincerely hope H. Baldwin gets whichever seat she wants. I attended a mock husting some weeks ago and she is a classic example of the type of person who will get us back into govt. She communicates warmly, is eloquent, appears completely real and approachable. Both men and women will comfortably identify with her, as well as younger and older voters. On top of all this, she comes across as really knowing her stuff. Good Luck Harriet, and to any constituency which feels safer with a man as their candidate.....you are potentially doing our electability great damage. Having said all that, I know Andrew Griffiths too, and he's also terrific!