Richard SpringHas worked like a beaver behind the scenes to improve the standing of the Conservative Party in the City - and he writes an excellent blog too.
John Randall
Been in the whips office for years and has the rare distinction of being liked by everyone. Enjoys good relations with Labour MPs and whips and is vital in making the 'usual channels work.
Mark PriskCovers the small business portfolio. Is working wonders developing a business friendly platform for the party and building bridges with the small business community.
Hugh Robertson
Covers sport and the olympics. Quiet in approach but highly effective. Seen by some as a future chief whip.
Charles HendryHas beavered away as number two to various Shadow Secretaries for some years. Was superb in the equalities portfolio and has made his mark in the business area, especially on post office closures.
Simon Burns
After a long spell at Health, were he was jokingly known as the Shadow Minister for Sex, Burns has moved back to the whips office. An obsessive Hillary Clinton supporter, but we must forgive him that one defect.
James PaiceHas been the party's agriculture spokesman for more years than he may care to remember. Trusted by the farming community he would make a superb Agriculture Minister.
Alistair Burt
Recently moved back to the whips office to take on a much needed developmental role. Has a wicked sense of humour and served the party well as local government spokesman.
Edward GarnierSpent several years covering Home affairs issues under David Davis and is now responsible for prisons policy. One of politics' genuine nice guys who throws himself totally in whatever portfolio he covers.
Eleanor Laing
Covers womens' issues but IMHO she is wasted in that job. She's a talented communicator and ought to be fronting a serious policy portfolio. She was an excellent SPAD to John MacGregor when he was Transport Secretary.
Hugh Robertson for Chief Whip? Maybe....but not until after he's been Olympics Minister after the next election to rescue the Games from the wretched incompetent complacent useless clutches of Jowell.
ReplyDeletePity we do not see and hear more of them ,replacing Duncan on Question time perhaps.
ReplyDeleteEleanor Laing
ReplyDeleteCovers womens' issues but IMHO she is wasted in that job. She's a talented communicator and ought to be fronting a SERIOUS policy portfolio. (my caps)
My God Iain, you believe in living dangerously! Methinks you've been spending too much time with 'Disgusted Tonbridge Wells'. As my mother would have said "You've got in with the wrong set."
As readers of CH will also know, I have always been a champion of Peter Viggers (Gosport) on Defence issues. Perhaps a little old now for a front bench role but has a huge amount of knowledge and campaign experience in that area.
ReplyDeleteMaybe not "One To Watch" for the future but definitely "Unsung Hero" and I make no apology for my continued support. Grab his knowledge whilst he's still in the HoC.
9 old white men
ReplyDeleteMostly right but Spring is very lazy. Ask anybody in the know at westminster
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect to Mr Randall but isn't "making the usual channels work" part of the problem with politics today?
ReplyDeleteHasn't Mark Prisk got the thankless job of sorting out the incompetence of Cornwalls Conservative Politics. I thought he was the Minister for Cornish Affairs and told to hold the hands of that lot down there by Dave Cameron.
ReplyDeleteI still fail to see why modern political parties have created a ministerial post looking after women's issues. Why the need for such affirmative action? Can women not achieve things on their own terms without artificial help? From all-women shortlists to dedicated positions just looking after women's issues, it strikes me as an affront to equality.
ReplyDeleteI think the position of Minister of State for Men's Issues would create an outcry, much like a White History Month to rival the recently-announced Black History Month.
On the topic of unsung Tory heroes, Tobias Ellwood MP does a good job in highlighting pertinent issues relating to national security, the military and British operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also works hard in his capacity as a shadow minister for licensing, gambling and tourism.
"Trusted by the farming community"
ReplyDeleteSounds like the last person we need there, if we're actually going to wean them off their ridiculous subsidies.