September 24, 2009 at 09:00 PM
Weekend in Ibiza - flew out on Thursday night and back on Monday midday. Came back to Evening Standard story on the Wycombe candidate selection. Not really sure what to make of all of this - it makes me reflect on the procedures being employed across the country. Should local candidates get preference over non-local? In my mind, obviously not. The MP represents the constituency in Westminster, not the other way round. Some form of local link might be helpful, but it is possible to learn what the local issues are - to the extent that they are important - by diligent research and by spending non-Westminster time in the area. What the party neds is talent, wherever it comes from. Reviewing the names on the shortlist in Ripon and in Woking suggests we have huge talent to choose from across the country, but how to ensure that the skills of the inevitable hundreds who dont get a seat to fight, let alone a safe seat, can be tapped?
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