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Originally Posted by The Bear
That is precisely what is wrong with our electoral system based on a simple majority as it presently is.
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I agree. But until the facts on the ground are addressed by introducing some form of PR, that remains the case.
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The selection of a candidate is done by the local party selection committee except where a candidate is parachuted in. That candidate is then supported by efforts and funds by the local party workers.
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Precisely. The people who will be foaming at the mouth will not be the ordinary electors (who probably couldn't care less) but the few score rather unpleasant anoraks who make up what's left of the local Conservative Party.
It couldn't happen to a nicer bunch and believe me they will be extremely upset, whatever some Tory 'sources' are feeding to the papers.
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Consequently the people of Castle Point who WANTED a Conservative party MP who took the Conservative Party Whip and voted accordingly have been in effect disenfranchised until the next time the seat comes up for election.
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They have an MP and they are no more 'disenfranchised' than those local people who did not vote for Spink but need the assistance of an MP.
When I lived in Portsmouth I was Vice-Chairman of the South Conservative Association. That didn't stop me seeking and receiving assistance from our excellent LibDem MP Michael Hancock. I was certainly not 'disenfranchised', and nor was any other elector.
My only concern for the people of Castle Point is that they have an MP to represent their interests in Parliament. They have that. Which party he represents is neither here nor there.
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The REAL danger of course is that the Conservative vote will be split and a party that most people in Castle Point would agree they do NOT want be returned.
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That is an entirely different matter, but why should anybody be concerned if as a result of the perceived 'split' the detestable Tory Party fail to hold the seat at a future election?