An astounding 18 of David Cameron’s A-listers will be heading for East Anglia tomorrow, including Adam Rickitt and Louise Bagshawe, hoping to 
be picked for the true blue hotspot of Mid-Norfolk.
There are 20 candidates in all on the shortlist for this new constituency, including the “dashing” James Tumbridge who last year stood in Norwich North against Ian Gibson.
Adam, who is to appear in panto in Norwich this Christmas, is quoted as saying he would give “both my arms and legs to serve Norfolk”.
The local Conservative association have made it clear that they want somebody with star quality. A member of the Mid-Norfolk Conservative Association who has never heard of Adam (could that prove to be in his favour?) said they wanted someone who would bring them national attention.
“Mid Norfolk is a jewel in the Conservative crown and we are looking for somebody very, very special, somebody who has the potential to be a cabinet minister.
“This is someone who needs to be ready for the front bench in about 10 years’ time, so this may mean we are looking for youth.
“Above all, this is about getting people of real talent and ability into the parliamentary party.”
James (pic), with strong local links who is not on the A-list, would easily meet that criteria. He has talent and charisma and worked his socks off in the last campaign. He even made it into The Sun.
The local association is certainly spoilt for choice, but how many of these A’listers were forced on them? There must be a real shortage of plum seats like this, I’m wondering if this is the highest number of A-listers that have been shortlisted. Where will those not selected head off to next, I wonder, I believe it might be the new Witham seat in Essex. In fact, how many plum seats are left? Will they put their names forward for seats where they are unlikely to win, just to get the experience?
Its our Thanksgiving eh!
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!
“just say no to giblets eat a tofu turkey!”
*gobblegobble*
Susan, have a great Thanksgiving, we are a long way off our turkey – or tofu – treat.
It looks a very hotly contested seat; good luck to all.
The local committe is correct. It is a blue ribbon seat and it does require a man of promise, rather than of promises [to get Churchillian. You can’t blame them for wanting the long-termer but the party mechanism needs to accommodate your choice, Ellee. How to promote him, apart from this blog?
James, I’m sure whoever they come up with will be of star quality. I’ve heard they have to endure some kind of “speed dating” question session, no doubt to test who performs best under pressure.
Still would be good to get an instant cabinet member. Would help bed the seat down for the Tories for a few elections to come.
I wish these A-Listers would use their imagination and make an effort with seats that will be very difficult to win.
Praguetory is spot on. It would be a measure of the candidates sincerity.
Agreed, but I guess they prefer the easier option, I hope they won’t take it for granted and become complacent, as far as I’m concerned, there’s no such thing as a safe seat.
Cambridge was a Conservative stronghold until Robert Rhodes James retired and has been Lib Dem and Labour ever since. We don’t even have a Conservative councillor on the city council, you can never tell for sure how things will work out.
[…] 20 Tory candidates want new Norfolk seat […]