Exeter vs. Bristol
In this evening's Evening Standard there is an interesting piece in Londoner's Diary as to how Bristol graduates are taking over the media and political world. Key Bristol influencers include Will Lewis, new editor of the Daily Telegraph, and Ed Vaizey MP, senior adviser to David Cameron.
But if Bristol is noted for its celebrities, a short look at political biographies and some googling on the internet reveals that Exeter University seems to have spawned a younger generation of right wing - often Neo-Con - Tory activists at different levels of the party. At MP level there is Andrew Lansley, James Brokenshire, David Burrowes and Jeremy Wright, an ex-Chairman of the Exeter University Conservative Association (EUCA).
Meanwhile Tim Montgomerie, editor of ConservativeHome was active in EUCA. Like Mr Burrowes, he is a leading proponent of social justice/neo-con ideology. Add to this melting pot Sajid Javid - also ex-Exeter and one time candidate for Brent North. Mr Javid, a Director of Deutsche Bank is very close to Mr Montgomerie and thought to be offering assistance to some of his internet ventures. Robert Halfon candidate for Harlow and Director of the lobby group Conservative Friends of Israel was another ex-EUCA Chairman. Ian Stewart, a solid former Exeter University right winger, was formerly head of the Tories' Parliamentary Research Unit. Mr Stewart is now third time candidate for the winnable seat of Milton Keynes. Finally, there is the esteemed director of the Social Affairs Unit, Michael Mosbacher. Mr Mosbacher founded the Exeter University Freedom Society.
To read more by Watlington, see Watlington.
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Is Mr Mosbacher not in fact the Editor of this website?
Posted by: Jim at October 18, 2006 01:01 AMAs a Bristol graduate (84-87) I declare an interest! But Ed Vaizey didn't go to Bristol, he went to Oxford. He fought a seat in Bristol in 1997. Formative though that would have been to his political education, it's not quite the same as 3 years immersement in the relaxed Clifton student sub-culture.
Posted by: Simon Chapman at October 18, 2006 02:13 PMAs an alumnus of both Exeter University (where I was, if I recall correctly, in the same year as Messrs Stewart and Mosbacher) and the Conservative Research Department (I am sure Andrew didn't employ me just because of our old Exonian links!), and a former Conservative councillor, I am very hurt not to be included in this list ...
If there is an Exeter mafia at work, this mafioso wants in!
Posted by: Mark Stockwell at October 19, 2006 11:42 AMMr Sajid Javid was never a Brent North candidate.
Posted by: Cllr Atiq Malik at October 20, 2006 01:07 AMThe Evening Standard's Londoner's Diary picked up this piece on 18th October:
Posted by: Watlington at October 25, 2006 02:46 PMMr. Javid WAS selected by Brent North Conservative Association to be its parliamentary candidate for the 2001 General Election.
Posted by: Derek Smith at November 4, 2006 05:45 PM