| Submit your comments on this article |
| Britain |
| Tory Leader To Destroy Conservative Party By Driving Out Conservatives |
| 2010-02-19 |
| A confidential blueprint for David Cameron's controversial bid to impose more women, gays and ethnic candidates on reluctant party activists has come to light. The explosive six-page document proposes the use of subterfuge to end the white, male and middle-class image of the Conservative Party. It emerged on the eve of another grassroots revolt over the modernisation of the party. Action Plan for Candidate Selection in Safe Seats is a fascinating insight into how modernisers have planned a gradual Tory party takeover. Their efforts finally paid off last month when Mr Cameron imposed shortlists of 'suitable' Parliamentary candidates. The move has incensed the grassroots - who have always had a say over which candidates appeared on shortlists - and triggered a wave of protests and resignations. And the language in the document will further exacerbate tensions between the Tory high command and its army of hard working volunteers. The document suggests using 'stealth' and stresses the importance of keeping 'quiet' over the plans to ensure more women, ethnic and gay candidates. 'Like a conjuror, we'll get more applause if the audience cannot see exactly how the trick is performed,' the document says. Mr Cameron is unrepentant and his decision to seize power from local associations, say his friends, is the culmination of the secret plan on how to neuter the party faithful in the country. These members of the Tory grassroots, cruelly nicknamed dinosaurs, are seen by modernisers as impediments to a progressive party. Mr Gove's and Mr Godson's document was written in February 2002. 'The party has little direct leverage over associations, consisting of volunteers who guard their local autonomy jealously and value their ability to choose future MPs. Nevertheless not only can objections be overcome, they MUST be overcome. 'The clever approach is to maintain the illusion that a good cross-section of approved candidates is being offered.' Suggesting a degree of subterfuge, the document goes on: 'There are several reasons why the Party should not publicly proclaim the new methodology. 'The more that the profusion of women, black, Asian or gay candidates appears to be the result of spontaneous open-mindedness on the part of grassroot activists the greater will be the accolades. 'Most Tories loathe political correctness and positive discrimination. If one tries to be 'in your face' about the fact that positive discrimination is taking place activists are much more likely to rebel; a version of 'don't ask, don't tell', is called for. 'Yet another factor that should persuade us to do our good work by stealth is the fact our opponents don't believe we have got a cat in hell's chance of passing their test [for the selection of candidates]. It would be counterproductive to tip them off.' |
| Posted by: Anonymoose |
| #3 Representative of whom? |
| Posted by: Iblis 2010-02-19 12:43 |
| #2 I mean, screw that whole "representative government" thing, anyway, right? |
| Posted by: gromky 2010-02-19 12:14 |
| #1 Worked here. Fill the R part with McCains, Snowes, Grahams, Chafees and Bennets and pretty soon no one dares call themselves a Republican anymore, let alone votes for one. |
| Posted by: Iblis 2010-02-19 11:29 |