Cameron's W List
David Cameron's list of Conservative Parliamentary Candidates gets more feminised by the day. A host of women have been selected in winnable seats in recent weeks (see below) to the complete delight of the Tory hierarchy. The imposition of 50 percent women in the final round of the selection contest, alongside primaries has spelled disaster for "Tory Boys" of old.
Whilst no one doubts that Conservative benches in the Commons need more women, in the long term Conservative Central Office is storing up a host of problems for the future. Many able male, non "Tory Boy" type candidates have not made it on the A list. Moreover many decent men who have gone for interviews say the system is unfairly stacked against them and argue that what is in place is de facto discrimination. Some candidates who happen to be male, have a solid record and live locally are also - for unfathomable reasons - being denied a local pass. Across the country, many active Conservatives who deserve a place on the list are feeling resentful and maltreated. Central Office should make every effort to bring them back on board.
Even under the new system of selection, the Tories have made limited progress in selecting candidates from ethnic minorities and have not selected any who have disabilities for winnable seats. Although to be fair Mr Cameron has acknowledged this in a speech on Monday, asking Scope to advise on assistance for disabled candidates.
On the plus side at least some of the women selected are very capable and decent human beings. Laura Sandys, for example who beat off controversial challenger Mark MacGregor is one such example, as is Esther McVey, refighting Wirral West for her second time.
Women Candidates selected in past few weeks are:
Angie Bray adopted for Ealing Central and Acton.
Annunziata Rees-Mogg for Somerton and Frome.
Sarah Newton selected for Truro & Falmouth.
Louise Bagshawe selected for Corby.
Laura Sandys selected for Thanet South.
Esther McVey reselected for Wirral West.
To read more by Watlington, see Watlington.
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An interesting piece - but Watlingon has made a mistake. This piece is not accurate about not selecting a disabled candidate - the Conservatives have re-selected a disabled candiate in Harlow, Robert Halfon, who was also the Tory candidate in 2001 and 2005. He came within 100 votes of winning in 2005,
Posted by: Jim at October 18, 2006 01:21 AM