There have been reports previously, but Melissa Kite, Daily Telegraph, also writes that David Cameron has, in effect, 'ditched' his own party candidate in the Oldham East & Saddleworth by-election campaign in order to allow the Coalition LibDem candidate a better opportunity against that of the Labour Party. To quote Nigel Farage, it is necessary to ask David Cameron: Just who the hell do you think you are?
This decision of Cameron's, if true, is nothing but gerrymandering - pure and simple. Such an act is illegal within our electoral laws, so the next question is: When will Plod be knocking on the door of No 10? Just who gave Cameron the authority to interfere with due electoral process? To interfere with the electoral process is a punishable offence under the Representation of the People's Act, an Act that all Parties, Candidates and Party Officials are bound to observe.
A further question is whether the local constituency association were consulted or whether this decision by Cameron is just a further example of the dictatorial hold he has on his party. If Cameron can act in such a cavalier fashion where matters of his party are concerned, the question also has to be asked whether he acts in the same manner where our country is concerned.
And what of the views of Conservative Party Members in the constituency of Oldham East & Saddleworth? Were they consulted? It would serve Cameron right were the entire, potential, Conservative vote then transferred to UKIP, in protest at his dictatorial manner - because what Cameron has done is effectively disenfranchised supporters of his own party.
16 comments:
Now that's a surprise. Mr Cameron supporting the Conservative party. Nah, thought not.
Wait a mo jic, hit post before I had finished!
Apologies, I'm now going to post this to my Conservative MP, George Osborne. As I've probably said before, Mr Osborne no longer bothers to reply to my emails. But as far as I'm concerned, he can't say he didn't know because I'm keeping a copy of everything I've sent to him. And since he's presumably on speaking terms with Mr Cameron, I expect that they both know that we know what they are doing. I say this in sadness (but probably anger) as a wannabe Conservative voter. Until the party gets back to what it should stand for, I'll vote for UKIP and anyone, including BNP, but the three main parties.
jic: good but feel with Osborne it will be wasted effort!
Re an alternative vote, I hope that UKIP is your first preference!
It's an interesting story, and I thank you for bringing it to my attention, but I can't see this as a case of gerrymandering
Mmm, it will be interesting to see if the tory candidate or the constituency association say anything. If they do let me know please.
TT: On the basis that any interference in the right of a member of the electorate to have free and fair access to electoral information is an offence; on the basis that the tory candidate is not being actively promoted because of Cameron's decision then it is gerrymandering - ie interfering with due electoral process.
SR: Will do
I can't see any hint of illegality here. A party is entitled to give as much or as little support to its candidate as it likes - and party rules say (mostly) that the leadership can do whatever it likes. The local Conservative association may kick up a fuss. It's underhand and sneaky of course, but what political party ever isn't?
The weather reminds me of canvassing in for UKIP in Hemsworth in the Yorkshire coalfield back in the Nineties. One lady agreed with everything I said about the EU (quite sincerely I believe).
"May we count on your vote?" I asked.
"No,duck, I'm Labour".
When I tried to persuade her further, she put her hands over her ears!
Edward: On the subject of illegality, this is probably an unresolvable question. However it is a fact that preventing a member of the electorate from voting is an offence. Ergo, it must follow that preventing the delivery of election literature falls into that category, in that the member of the electorate is not receiving all available information in order to decide where to cast his vote.
I think that this is not the first time Cameron has done such a thing. I suspect that he did it at the last GE, we never saw the "candidate" so not much of a fight ensued. It was a lib-dum seat as well so the coalition was not too much of a surprise.
Derek
Derek: Over the years I suspect all party leaders have done similar for a variety of reasons. It just so happen that Shameron is in the spotlight this time.
Contrary to most criticism on the comments, I still maintain that any attempt to interfere with an electorate's right to all information is gerrymandering - ie fiddling with the voting system.
I think you are all missing the point. All Cameron cares about is Cameron. He wants to stay in power by any means possible and if that means shoring up the Lib-Dem candidate then he will do so, Conservative candidate be damned, as far as he is concerned. He is only out for himself
Anonymous: A fair point and one which I do believe all are aware of - but it is still worth restating.
If the polls are correct over 50% of Conservatives think we should leave the European Union so let us have a massive vote for UKIP from the Conservatives who are disenfranchised
JiF: Yay! Way to go!
But they won't, they will follow their tribal instincts as most of them can't see beyond the end of their noses!
You are correct Witterings from Witney but we have to find a way of changing their minds. Have you any suggestions? Bear in mind that in the constituency in question there will be no Conservative candidate.
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