EXCLUSIVE: Fury over Tory Euro candidate
TORY activists are preparing to down tools and not campaign in next year's European elections in a row over the selection of Giles Chichester as the region's number one candidate, the WMN has learned.
Sections of the party's rank and file are so concerned about the South West MEP's re-selection that they are preparing to call on Tory HQ to intervene.
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Giles Chichester
The split stems from Mr Chichester's admission that he wrongly channelled EU funds through a company he helped run – but was later cleared of profiting from the breach of the rules.
EU watchdogs found that the £400,000 had been correctly used for secretarial and assistant services, but the practice contravened rules on MEPs using companies they are connected with to handle the money.
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The EU Solicitor General found that although there was the potential for a "conflict of interest" the money had been properly spent and Mr Chichester did not profit personally from the contract.
Mr Chichester, who was forced to quit as leader of the Conservative MEPs over the affair, has since been selected as the party's first-choice candidate on the voting list for next June's poll.
But the move has sparked a backlash from sections of the party in Devon and Cornwall, with some people vowing to raise their unease with the party's chairman, Caroline Spelman.
Supporters of Mr Chichester are now actively engaged in "re-educating" party members who still think he should not be standing for the Conservatives.
The rebels are keen not to be publicly seen as divisive but fear Mr Chichester being top of the Tory selection list will not only hit the vote in the EU poll, but also undermine campaigning in county council elections in the region, which take place on the same day, June 4.
Leading activists, including parliamentary candidates and senior councillors, are understood to be so unhappy with Chichester's inclusion they are threatening to down tools and not campaign or even vote for the party.
Such a move could seriously damage the Conservatives' hopes of building on significant gains in the region's local elections in the past two years. It also raises the prospect of "Tory sleaze" being used by Labour, Liberal Democrats, the UK Independence Party and others.
One Tory MP told the WMN that despite Mr Chichester being cleared some activists "aren't even interested" in finding out the truth, adding: "It takes time for people to understand that Giles has done nothing wrong."
However they predict that political opponents will "use it against him".
"It is up to us to make certain the truth is out in the public domain."
Another MP said some local association members were "still grumbling about it" but pinned their hopes on Mr Chichester being "able to hide" on the complex EU ballot paper.
Last night a defiant Mr Chichester insisted he had been selected after "answering all of the allegations in full".
"I have been exonerated. I see no reason at all not to retain my place and stand for re-election next year."
He also blamed some of the reluctance to campaign on the fact it was for European votes rather than a General Election when volunteers are more energised.
"You cannot please all of the people all of the time," he added.
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by Dave Grylls, Kingsteignton
Wednesday, January 21 2009, 10:50PM
“Well! Well! last week it was reported that 10% of Tories would vote UKIP in the European Elections, then Ken Clarke came on board and even more are threatening to defect.
No confidence in Giles Chichester it just gets better and better!!! for UKIP.
Dave Grylls,Kingsteignon”
by Phil, East Devon
Friday, November 21 2008, 6:06PM
“It is hardly the fault of Giles Chichester if people vote for the wrong candidate. How exactly is that cheating on his part? Presumably Trev from North Devon is one of the "half wits" (apologies I meant Lib Dems). that voted for the wrong candidate
The selection process for next years European elections is agreed by party members and you have to question other peoples ambitions in driving a non story given that Mr Chichester has been found guily of the grand total of nothing.
Damage to the Conservative vote, I don't think so; there is no credible alternative.”
by trev, north devon
Friday, November 21 2008, 4:08PM
“The whole career of this so called individual has been very highly questionable from day one.
If Mr Chichester would care to remember he was first voted into the EU parliament with a very small majority - of only several hundred votes.
Whilst this occurred there was outcry regarding a Literal Demorcrat who stood confusing many voters who mistakingly voted for him thinking they were voting for the legitimate liberal democrat.
Several thousand had mistakingly voted this way, nothing was done about it and consequently Mr Chichester effectively cheated his way into Brussells.
Having got there rather contraversionally he continues to behave in a contemptuous way that should by rights bring utter shame to him.
Now it is not the wishes of his party to let him stand. In not letting him stand it will show that some tories do at least have some concience which I admit would surprise me.
Then again let Chichester stand - we are after all used to blue (I'm allright Jack) self centred scum standing anywhere where power is on offer.”
by Neil, Plymouth
Friday, November 21 2008, 2:58PM
“Thanks for that info Richard. My knowledge of European elections is obviously sadly lacking. I wonder why our politicians are so reluctant to introduce PR here in UK General Elections, despite the fact that an all-party parliamentary commitee recommended it as long agao as 1919. I suspect it is because they would have to take far more notice of public opinion, and have to make far too many compromises on their respective political dogmas. If one analyses the way we vote in General Elections it is clear that the public have voted for compromise. In 1979 both Liberal and Labour Parties advocated tax increases and beter public services. Together they got roughly 70% of the vote. However, Thatcher's Tories advocated tax cuts, but they were elected with a so-called majority with less than 30% of the electorate voting for them. As someone has said, the current shower have just over 25% of the popular vote which, by my calculations, means approx 75% of the electorate rejected them. Is that democracy? I won't even mention the House of Lords and its totally unelected people, who also have a large say in shaping our laws.”
by Neil, Cheltenham
Friday, November 21 2008, 2:49PM
“Thanks for that info Richard. One wonders why the politicians are so reluctantto bring in PR for our own General Elections, after all an all-party Parliamentary Committee recommended it as long ago as 1919. Are they worried that they might have to take more notice of what people actually want, rather than what they tell us is good for us? Our German friends, who have a PR system think that is definitely the case. In Germany the politicians have to take far more notice of public opinion.”
by Blake,, Stroud, Gloucestershire
Friday, November 21 2008, 2:18PM
“Tes, PR is more democratic than our present system of 'First -Pass-The -Post' . Possibly more chance of one getting their choice of party or/and candidate elected! Labour has complete power in the UK ON 25% of the popular vote. First past the post is not democratic....more over they will not introduce PR in the National Elections in the UK, because they want no other parties to interfere with their club....'The Political Elite'.”
by TESS NASH, MAWGAN, HELSTON
Friday, November 21 2008, 10:44AM
“I keep thinking about PR hoping for an answer, but, try as I will, I really cannot see how every person's vote would count as it should, any more than the present corrupt system.”
by ukipwebmaster, London
Thursday, November 20 2008, 10:54PM
“The Tories have one face for local consumption and another when they leave the country, as you'll see in this short video:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4M_2w_2NNW4”
by Blake, Stroud , Gloucestershire
Thursday, November 20 2008, 9:56PM
“Jud, European Elections: One does not vote for a candidate. You vote for the Party. All the parties contesting the EU elections put up six candidates to appear on their list. This is Proportional Representation PR. Candidates get elected from the Party List 1, 2 , 3 and so on depending the outcome the number of votes that each party recieves. Mr Chichester has been put on list as No 1 Candidate...So he will automatically be elected to the Brussels Gravey Train.”
by Richard, Gloucester
Thursday, November 20 2008, 7:04PM
“Neil - the Euro elections are proportional representation! That's why people have to appease the central parties...”