political commentator * author * publisher * bookseller * radio presenter * blogger * Conservative candidate * former lobbyist * Jack Russell owner * West Ham United fanatic * Email iain AT iaindale DOT com
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.
Who says that G. Brown has the monopoly on being Stalinist - with the 'disappeared' etc.
ReplyDeleteOne 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.
ReplyDeleteShame he's useless.
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.
ReplyDeleteThis 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.
Have you approached anyone for comment on this 'story' Iain?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWhat 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 ?
ReplyDeleteToday's bigwigs are in fact very little wigs.
ReplyDeleteKeep the debate going.Excellent new approach.Leigh and Woodhead have the right approach.
ReplyDeleteI'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.
Edward Leigh has the best haircut in politics, whenever he is on TV, his barnet brightens up my day.
ReplyDeleteCornerstone? Tombstone more like
ReplyDeletemachiavelli-the very old jokes aint always the best.
ReplyDeletechin chin
...some of these jokes will be making their final appearance tonight ladies and gentlemen.....
ReplyDeleteEdwina two nights running?
ReplyDelete"The Cornerstone Group of Conservative MPs is working to make the case for a Conservatism founded on patriotism...".
ReplyDeleteYes 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.
about 3 others
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteanon 11.50 right number but lot of noughts missing.
ReplyDeletecould be wrong on this, but im not sure andrew selous considers himself ever to have been a member of cornerstone.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070417/debtext/70417-0007.htm#07041779000383
about 0000000000000003 others. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteA wag and a comediene.Congrats.
ReplyDeletechin chin
Simple questions.
ReplyDeleteDo 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteI love the Cornerstone group. Makes me glad to be a Lib Dem!
ReplyDeleteanon 12:16
ReplyDeleteIs the Conservative Party going to stand by and see the "broad church" become a conformist chapel?
Yes of course!
Conservatives are conformists.
Oh dear - Edward Leigh and the Cornerstone Group.
ReplyDeleteHow pointless are they? Very.
How boring are they? Very.
boyce-i'm sure we all share your joy at you being ld.
ReplyDeletecanvas :your a tough lady but we enjoy your in depth analysis.
ReplyDeleteLAURENCE- One way to resolve Party differneces is to have no beiefs at all .Is this why you are glad to be a Lib Dem ?
ReplyDelete( Doubt anyone esle would have you with that beard)
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!
ReplyDeleteGreat work by Leigh and Woodhead.
ReplyDeleteWould Eton Dave benefit from a good briefing on the subject?
LAURENCE SAID And what’s wrong with my beard?
ReplyDeleteI 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..)
Does Stephen Crabb know that he is in Tombstone?
ReplyDeleteThought Crabb died years ago in a diving accident.
ReplyDeleteWhy 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.
ReplyDeleteSadly for Dave the number who are unhappy with him greatly outnumbers 40.
ReplyDeleteIt's not just Cornerstone!