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A Conservative For Cambridge
December 7th, 2009
A Conservative For Cambridge
I notice that the short-list of names for the Cambridge open primary have been published this week. The Cambridge Conservative website has them all here.
Cambridge is nominally considered a “safe” Lib Dem seat, although in the strange current political climate i’m not sure there is any such thing. I actually believe that Cambridge would benefit greatly from, and possibly even welcome, a Conservative MP. But it would have to be the right candidate.
So it was with great interest that I looked over the brief bios and pictures (yes, how you look shouldn’t matter, but in the real world, perhaps sadly, it does) and considered their profiles in relation to a chance to win Cambridge.
If I were a Conservative based in Cambridge I’d keep quiet, rather than express views on the candidates. But since I am as far away from them as it is possible to be and still be in the same county I don’t suppose a personal overview from a distant colleague in the North will worry them too much. I must stress that I’ve never met (or seen personally) any of these candidates. My opinions are based entirely on the limited information given in their respective blurbs. But first impressions do matter, so perhaps there’s some food for thought here.
Eve Conway – Bio Here
Describes herself as a journalist and broadcaster and says she is: “a good communicator.” If this bio is an example of her communication skills it left me a little nonplussed. She doesn’t seem to say anything concrete and her argument for selection seems based on the fact that time working for the BBC as a journalist means that she “knows what the public wants.” Really? I’m sure she’s a perfectly good candidate, but I think I’d have written that bio differently if I had been advising her.
Sarah El-Neil – Bio Here
Sarah makes a big deal out of being local, which seems a good approach. I like the fact that she speaks three languages, which will be useful in a multicultural city like Cambridge. But which three languages? It’s not a lot of use if they are Ancient Egyptian, Mongolese and Welsh. Or maybe it is? Cambridge is an interesting city. Sarah is a paediatrician which gives her an insight into children and the NHS – useful! She’s into singing and am-dram too which I rather like the sound of. Her babble about Carbon Footprints will go down well in Cambridge, I expect. All in all, she sounds like a pretty good candidate for the place in which she wants to stand.
Chamali Fernando – Bio Here
Chamali’s bio has a byline – “more than just a Cameron cutie!” I’m not sure she really needed to point this out. Her write-up is snappy, sassy and interesting. A barrister for eight years she will know the law and be able to frame an argument well. She’s another environmental activist which, although it leaves me cold, will be well-received in Cambridge. I like her attitude but I think she went over the top with the ’style’. Still, an interesting candidate.
Jane Gould – Bio Here
Jane Gould’s bio is impressive. Great education, business experience, charities and boards, job club founder, she is also decribed as “an authority on age-related issues.” Furthermore, she’s been a working single-mum. She ticks just about all the ideal boxes for a leading public figure in the current climate. It’s interesting stuff. But is she as impressive in person as in writing? I have no idea, having never met her. If she isn’t, then all the hard work and achievements still wont get her elected. If she is, then she will be formidable. I particularly like the closing remark: “In her elusive spare time, she plays flute in her Church band, grabs a round of golf and makes cakes.” She’s like Super-Candidate! All this and cakes too? What’s not to like?
Mark Higgins – Bio Here
Mark is another barrister. There seems to be something about the legal professions which draws practitioners into the Conservative party. But that’s no bad thing, knowledge of the law and experience of making a strong case are powerful tools in a political career. Mark Says: “My overriding commitment is to social justice and giving people the tools to succeed.” Okay. That’s all well and good. But one man’s social justice is another’s high taxation. A little more detail might be useful. But then Mark goes on to say: “That is why I will jealously guard the reputation of Cambridge as an academic powerhouse and technological pioneer, press for immediate resolution of the student finance difficulties, advocate a reversal of the closure of special schools…” Okay, that’s better. So Mark thinks the way to deliver social justice is through education. That’s a solid line of thought. I particularly like this: “It means being more thoughtful about our lawmaking and not enacting rushed measures that so often encroach on our civil liberties…” I like the sound of that! I’m not quite as sure about Mark’s closing statement which begins: “Whilst I inevitably won’t always be popular.” You’re a glass half-empty sort of guy then Mark? Have some faith! I’m sure you’ll be popular forever. 
Nick Hillman – Bio Here
Nick’s schtick would appear to be his background in Westminster where he specialises in university policy. You can see why this would have special appeal for Cambridge. He makes an argument that Cambridge “doesn’t always get it’s fair share of resources.” Well, duh! That’s true of the whole of Cambridgeshire, which is expected to absorb endless growth with a second-rate government settlement. But if you really want to see a lack of resources in the county, Nick, come to Fenland. Cambridge is positively engorged by comparison. But I’m being unfair. This is obviously a good approach for the city. Unfortunately, Nick’s bio is a little bare of detail from there on. He talks briefly about his connections to the city and promises to “move there later this month.” Fair enough.
All in all there do not seem to be any ‘bad’ candidates here, which (I suppose) says good things about the process which got them this far. The selection via Open Primary should be very interesting indeed.
I almost wish I lived in Cambridge. Of course, if I did, I’d be having a go myself for the spot. I’m sure the city would just love my brand of Eurosceptic, Climate-sceptic*, free market, low tax waffle. Not.
*Note: When I say ‘climate sceptic’ I obviously do not mean that I doubt there IS a climate. Otherwise, we’d all suffocate, burn or freeze in a second or two. <ahem>
7 Responses to “A Conservative For Cambridge”
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Glass half empty? Perhaps you have a point there but if you use all your best material before the big day how on earth are you going to keep the electorate awake at such a dreadful hour of a Saturday morning? And don’t worry, there is no correllation between the Higgins brand of social justice and the deep pocket theory.
Moderator (Steve Tierney)’s Response: Wow! One of the candidates found this blog – and quickly! I like somebody who knows their way around the internet!
It’s good to hear you aren’t a tax-em hard type, Mark. I wish you well, and if you are selected I’ll try and make some time to come over and help you campaign.
Thank you for the comments Steve – perhaps we should forget all our well-written, hard-hitting leaflets and just go for cake instead…
Seriously, baking is incredibly therapeutic, takes a lot less time than a round of golf and I just can’t face offering anyone all those additives with their coffee.
Looking forward to Saturday.
Moderator (Steve Tierney)’s Response: Two of the candidates have now found my blog! These guys really are on the ball with their web browsing! You’re welcome, Jane. May the best man or woman win!
Thank you! You often write very interesting articles. You improved my mood.
Moderator (Steve Tierney)’s Response: Good to know.
El Neil is a private Dr who left the NHS,
sends her children to an expensive private school
and drives a large 4×4 around central Cambridge,
anyone can see the hypocrisy…
Moderator (Steve Tierney)’s Response: That’s a cheap jibe really. I don’t have any favourites in this race as yet, but I can’t say I honestly give a stuff if somebody leaves the NHS and works as a private doctor. In fact, it probably shows good common sense. They wouldn’t have to deal with the crazy targets, endless bureaucracy and government oversight. As for an expensive private school and a 4×4… people should feel free to send their kids to whatever school they choose / can afford / think is right. I don’t see a problem with it at all. As for the 4×4, I can see that might be a problem for somebody with a green agenda, although for me its only a problem if she parks it badly and stops people getting by!
I must also add that I do not know if any of your criticisms are even true.
Don’t quite understand your surprise that some of the candidates have found your blog, your astronomical visitor figures mean either:-
lots of people are reading, or
you have a comparatively small number of contributors, who visit your site frequently, just to see if you’ve eventually found the time to moderate and post their comment. I mean, honestly, what else keeps a highly paid Cllr busy all day ?
Moderator (Steve Tierney)’s Response: Actually, repeat visits on the same day aren’t counted. These are “unique” visits, which means that the IP number used to connect is different for each one. Somebody could be counted twice if they visited from two different PCs, or were using a dial-up modem (not many of those left) but otherwise would be counted only once even if they came back every ten minutes all day.
shucks, didn’t bite
Congratulations to Nick Hillman as my successor. I look forward to working with him and hope that my Fenland friends will put in a few hours to secure the right result for Cambridge.