Conservative Home has pointed out the absolute democratic disgrace that was the Tory MEP selection racket. The bare facts say it all. Not only were sitting MEPs given a bye into the top slots, thus ossifying the pro-EPP Tory representation in Brussels but also the preference for women over men for the next spot directed by CCHQ has resulted in a Zimbabwean result pattern.Here are the anomolies,
They then ask a very pertinent question,In London Marina Yannakoudis was awarded the highest place for non-incumbents although three men - JP Floru, Warwick Lightfoot and Bob Seely - all won more support from the grassroots.
In the South East Therese Coffey and Sarah Richardson beat all men in the voting.
In the Eastern region Vicky Ford was awarded the highest place for non-incumbents even though John Flack won more support from members.
In the East Midlands Emma McClarkin was awarded second place even though Rupert Matthews received a better vote from members.
In the West Midlands Anthea McIntyre finished ahead of all men in terms of grassroots support.
In Yorkshire and the Humber Fleur Butler was ranked ahead of Matthew Bean and Nick Burrows although they both received more support from the grassroots.
In the North East Barbara Musgrave was awarded second place although Richard Bell enjoyed more support.
In the North West Jacqueline Foster and Fiona Bruce won more support than any of the non-incumbent men in the selection. Fiona Bruce has apparently dropped out after very narrowly finishing behind Jacqueline Foster.
In the South West Julie Girling received slightly less support than Ashley Fox but was ranked above him.
In Wales Dr Kay Swinburne was awarded top place although Evan Price won more support from the grassroots.
In Scotland Belinda Don and Helen Gardiner both beat all men in the voting.
We do not yet know if CCHQ will publish turnout and spoilt ballots data.
What we do know is this will play into the hands of the opposition, particularly UKIP in all regions and undermines all of those women who have got their ranking in a transparently unfair manner.
12 comments:
I can't believe that top celebrity Rusty Lee didn't opt for the Tories. She would have walked it.
Ah, but Rusty has an irreduceable core, not something to be found in the blue corner
...or those on a fruitcake sabbatical from the Conservative Party.
Could you mean me? No sabbatical this.
Oddly enough Anon, I believe in stuff.
No not you or at least not you specifically. I will take you at your word that you believe in stuff but you are in a minority in politics these days which is a sad state of affairs.
Now there is a point that I can wholeheartedly agree with. A comment is too short to ponder on why that is the case, thoughj I think Oborne's book "The Triumph of the Political Class" goes some way to answer it.
Oh for your information, the fruitcake tastes lovely, proper Dundee; some fruit, some nuts, plenty of stodge and a dash of whisky, it tastes of Liberty.
Fair enough, though maybe if a comment is too short and if it is not rude of me to suggest it, it would be interesting to read a full posting on the issue.
I met a UKIP person (of high rank) once who told me that England should end the union with Scotland. Therefore I am glad that someone in UKIP has a taste for good Scottish produce.
I will try, but my efforts will be weak and insubstantial.
It doesn't surprise me that some senior people in UKIP feel that way, they would share that vieew with an ever growing proportion of the English population. I don't share it myself, but the current constitutional set up does nobody any favours.
Some people are saying that these selections were a joke. Unfortunately I don't find them funny in the slightest.
Any logical explanation for your colleague's embarrassing rant about the Conservative no.2 candidate in the East Midlands? Is there some old history there or is she just incredibly jealous.
History. They share an ex-boyfriend whose time with each of them was extremely proximate (if not overlapping).
News to me
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