So my hopes of fighting for Battersea at the next General Election are not to be. Never mind.
Battersea now has a very capable and hard working candidate in Jane Ellison and I am sure that she will be the MP for Battersea.
The process was more fun than I thought it would be and Michael Portillo gave us all quite a grilling, not nasty, just thorough. Lots of people said kind words and assured me that I would get a good seat, I would like to thank them. The Battersea association were great, very friendly and very efficient. Sam Gyimah and Louise Bagshaw were also great fun and I am full of confidence for them too, hopefully we will all be on the green benches in a few years.
I had forgotten what an emotional roller coaster the whole seat selection process was, someone once said that it was like falling in love only to be dumped.
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commiserations old chap. Beer?
But will her pro-Europe views allow UKIP to split the Tory vote and let Labour keep Battersea once again?
http://5thnovember.blogspot.com/2006/09/ukip-set-to-target-battersea-marginal.html
You're not 'pro-Europe' are you James? [...he said inviting a right-wing rant in the style of Nicholas Ridley]
Hard luck this time round James.
Jimmy,
Jane and I do not agree over Europe, I love "small and local" and to me the European project is too "big and distant". That said the Conservatives have always been a broad church and there are far more issues on which she and I agree than disagree.
She struck me as very straight talking, hard working and fun. I think that she will do well for Battersea and UKIP can chuck the kitchen sink at her, it won't work.
I wish her well and until I get selected I am happy to give her a hand in Battersea.
Very gracious of you James, meanwhile commiserations.
Tough break James.
How did you find the questioning?
Did you wear a regimental tie? That always helps ;)
PP
Th cream always rises to the top James. Keep plugging away!
You did well and I was very surprised at how the voting panned out with the ladies as the final two.
While the process is interest I think it does have flaws. In particular it is very long and as a result think the order in which people speak is very important - we had only moments after Jane finished speaking in which to cast our vote.
Also it favours those with the most experience. Jane was very confident in that arena and so presented herself the best of all candidates.
In contrast Sam was less practised. To me that felt more honest rather than rehearsed but can understand how others would see it differently. A shame as he will be excellent when selected.
You all did yourself proud and showed how the primary can work well - all of you would have been a good choice. Good luck elsewhere.
Thank you,
I didn't wear my regimental tie; I can convince myself that not wearing it was what tripped me up!
Nothing to do with me not getting into my stride or there being a better candidate.
Honest.
Sorry you weren't selected James. To my mind you were the best candidate for the association and for our constituents (regimental tie or no tie!). I'm sure that you will find a great seat elsewhere but I for one wish that it had been in Battersea!
I think Portillo was the most mean to you which to me shows that you were the best at sparring with him (and came over the most professionally)
Keep up the fight and the good work!
Hard luck james.
I am sure a good seat will come your way - it was not to be this time and thats always for a good reason!
Commiserations, James. Has there ever been a selection process with so much media attention? I know that it may not be easy to answer this right now but do you think this was unhelpful?
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