ConservativeHome has posted the finalists for East Surrey HERE. As you will see, I am among the six contenders, and very proud to be so, as it is quite a strong field. It's an area I know well, as I live just over the border in Kent.
I hope you will understand if I don't give this blog my usual attention over the next eight days, as I turn my attention to preparing for the selection meeting next Saturday.
Best of luck, Iain. You deserve it. Would gladly vote for you if you stood in my constituency.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that Iain.
ReplyDeleteAll the very best. I hope you are selected.
ReplyDeleteYou'd have my vote as well!
All of which beg the question of how you can blog seriously if you become an MP.
ReplyDeleteIs being an MP less onerous than trying to be one?
Off topic I see that the NI settlement is being accompanied by an £800 million sweetener. Just where is this money being sprung from?
Entirely agreed with torylandlord. Enjoy the next eight days!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck Mr Dale.
ReplyDeleteGood luck Iain....
ReplyDeleteDon't be Rory-stewarted again!
ReplyDeleteDown with Hobbits.
@Trevorsden. Obviously if Iain becomes an MP, the nature of his blog would change.
ReplyDeleteHe could not be quite such a gadfly.
If he gets selected, watch others try to angle for his space.
Good luck.
ReplyDeleteGoodluck, I don't know much about the other candidates, but I think you would be a great addition to the Parliamentary Conservative Party.
ReplyDeletePaul, I was Philip Lee-d, not Rory Stewarted!
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't get it Iain - I'm a great admirer of your blog and publishing interests, and I don't think your contribution to our nation's political life would be nearly as effective as a backbencher than it is now.
ReplyDeleteI also think you're too myopic when it comes to the nonsense about an English Parliament - a surefire way to break up the UK, much more effective even than Labour's awful devolution tampering.
Keep up the good work reporting on the beggars from outside, rather than taking the shilling and toeing the line.
P.S. There's no one more wannabe than a wannabe MP...
I hope you get it, Iain. It's my old constituency, and my parents still live there. You'd make a fine representative for such a traditional Tory heartland. All the best!
ReplyDeleteColin, If they are party members, do encourage them to attend the selection meeting!
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Evening Standard "..many Tories were privately impressed by Mr Blair's recent performance before the Chilcot inquiry.."
ReplyDeletePlease tell me that's not true.
Good luck, iain. May I suggest you take a leaf out of King Alfred's book, as shown by David Dimbleby's excellent new series.
ReplyDelete'The Road to Surrey East - The Story of the (Somewhat Prolonged) Early Political Career of The Lord Dale.'
ReplyDeleteBreak a leg Iain! :)
The shortlist seems to have 2 or 3 who have led a largely political life. I'm not sure they would have made my shortlist.
ReplyDeleteGood luck Iain
ReplyDeleteBest of luck Iain! My fingers are crossed for you
ReplyDeleteSean, I hope you don't include me in that reference. Yes, I have done a lot of things in politics, but I have started and run seven companies too.
ReplyDeleteGood luck Iain. Surprise the selection committee with some good ideas from The Liberal Party of Australia. If Dave borrowed a few ideas from Tony Abbot the Tories would double their lead.
ReplyDeleteNo, Iain, I don't.
ReplyDeleteI don't *always* agree with you, but I think you'd make a very good MP. You have a good combination of inside knowledge and real world experience, as far as I can tell.
Best of luck, Iain!
ReplyDeletebest of luck iain, the tory party would be richer for your presence on their benches
ReplyDeleteGood luck Iain.
ReplyDeleteGo for it Iain! My mum lives in Oxted, wipe the floor with the others! I will bring a band screaming fans to any talk or meetings you attend. Go for it!
ReplyDeleteGood luck Iain!
ReplyDeleteSwot up on the old County Regiment.
ReplyDeleteI am also a great admirer of your blog, just like IvorBiggun. However, I hope you DO get it, Iain, as I believe you would be an excellent MP. You are also correct in your view re an English Parliament, regardless of what IB thinks. And I say that as a Scotsman!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you!!
Good luck from this side of the pond too.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't win, don't give up and certainly don't make any negative statement while the disappointment is still fierce.
ReplyDeleteIn my own proffession, I've known a couple of people who gave up applying for promotion after several disappointments.
I'm sure they regret now that they didn't persevere and, in your case, further applications won't get in the way of your normal professional activities.
Having said that, good luck for Surrey East.
Best of Luck!
ReplyDeleteHope you get the nomination!
It is good to see you going forward, having a go and maybe you will become PPC and voter willing MP!
Politics need folk like you, when you do the newspapers i tend to stop what i am doing and listen. The same with Mathew Parris.
Best of Luck. You are the type of person we need as a MP
ReplyDeleteBest of luck - hope you win
ReplyDeleteThe seat will go to Sam Gyimah - purely because he/she was president of the Oxford Union once.
ReplyDeleteThat's how politics works isn't it?
Good luck Iain, I believe you would make a great MP too. It's really tough when you are up against so many other great Tory hopefuls as well. I would love to see you help modernise parliament.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your attempt I'm sure Parliament would be all the better for your presence as an MP as long as you desist from being "lobby fodder". Parliament's gain would be your reader's loss.
ReplyDeleteBut surely they need a Chelsea supporter as MP - :)?
Following in the footsteps of one G Howe of dead sheep savagery fame!
ReplyDeleteGood luck Iain. Hope you get selected.
ReplyDeleteTerry Justice.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck, Iain.