Monday, December 12, 2005
Cameron today announced his plans to broaden the base of Tory candidates, a story much missed by the BBC all day. I am very weary of this big idea. I agree I want to see more female, Asian, disabled, gay and public sector Tory candidates (though not necessarily the same person, you understand). But most importantly I want to see the best Tory candidates. I am very unsure about plans to create the so-called ‘A’ Lists of candidates. Will they guarantee that no woman on this list is worse than a man who wasn’t on the list? Why are we not compiling the best 140 Tory candidates, full stop? I want women etc. to get on the list by merit alone. I am also concerned about this headhunting proposal. Why are we dragging people into a career that requires a huge amount of passion when they didn’t volunteer for it? I stomp the streets almost daily for the party and I do expect a little reward for my work – like perhaps being considered ahead of somebody who isn’t even a member. I do despair at the throngs of pin-stripped suited lawyers queuing up to be a candidate but is this really our only answer? As the member for Maidstone said recently, she would never have made it only an ‘A’ List yet she remains one of the most formidable forces in the party. Come on, Mr Cameron, is this really the only way?
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5 comments:
I'm pleased to see you blogging again - I must confess that I am a Tory who voted Liberal Democrat instead of yourself at the General Election because you are, with the greatest of respect, inexperienced. This isn't a game, this is about electing the best individuals and persuading individuals who have achieved greatness in their careers. You are no different from the solicitors, you haven't actually done anything yet, not created wealth or inspired a generation.
Thank you for reading the site and good to have you back again. I'm afaird I don't agree with you about experience. Remember the LibDem candidate that you voted for was a teacher, like me, although with more experience but without my seniority within a school. So voting LibDem wasn't voting for experience. In reality I had a good go at a fairly difficult seat because I live here and I love my City. I agree it isn't a game, which is why it is important that all Tories vote Conservative. Also if MPs have to have reached their chosen goal in a career we'll never encourage young people into politics - which is what we always say we want to do! Blair was Leader at 42, Cameron at 39. If anything politics is going in reverse where the younger the better. I agree I've never created wealth - though being in education I doubt I ever will other than educating the people who will. I don't know if I've inspired a generation - I'll get back to you in 20 years time!
Greatest of respect for you, you've done very well. But look at it from the public's point of view. If a candidate could be found for either of the Norwich seats who has a distinguished career in, maybe, business, for example, there is a depth there which the electorate can respect. If the best the Conservatives can put forwards are individuals in their mid 20s with no career experience then you risk getting fewer votes. If centrally appointed candidates can be head-hunted, then all for the good. I'm sure you yourself in 20 years time would be admirable, but to represent people to the very bet of your ability, you and others need experience and shed loads of it. Don't rush to try and get into Parliament.
We'll have to agree to disagree I fear! I think that parliament should feel and look like modern Britain. That means having young people elected. If we wait for them to have a distinguished career then we'll have a parliemtn made up of 50-somethings and bang! We're back to the 1950s! Young MPs like Clare Ward (24 when elected for Watford) and Jo Swinson (23 for Inverness West) have made a real impact. I agree with you that we want MPs who have something to add to our society and democracy - people of talent, experience and intelligence. But most of all we need a mix and that is why I support the election of younger people.
I have to say I agree with Mr Little. Our government is meant to be a representative one and that means having young as well as old MPs. Career experience might give you an extra leg up but it isn't the be all and end all. Personally I find it rather arrogant to assume that one must have inspired a generation or amassed vast amounts of money in order to be able to represent one's constituents or to care about the community enough to serve it properly.
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