A flurry of anonymous briefings and spinning...
In preparation for tomorrow's meeting of the Conservative Future executive at the Carlton Club (apparently CCHQ refused CF a room!?) there has been a flurry of speculation about bids for the Chairmanship coming together.
TB has spoken to a lot of people close to Owen Meredith this afternoon and can confirm that he has approached some big CF players in his search for a campaign manager. Rumours have circulated in the last week that Mr Meredith recently failed his Parliamentary Assessment Board test and now seems to be looking to fill some gaps in an already
loaded CV
by going for the top-job and preparing for a very different election all together, it's either that or getting some real life experience. However things haven't exactly got off to the best of starts. A source close to the budding campaign expressed his doubts tonight about the campaign's chances of success; " Owen's new photos on his website are very special, in a Velcro shoes and safety pencil kind of way."
One of the names thrown around tonight in relation to becoming Meredith's campaign manager is Cllr Ben Howlett who denied he had been approached and indeed confirmed speculation that he is considering running himself - "Yeah I'm thinking about running, but not yet."
Tory Bear got in touch with Owen to give him the chance to go on record to confirm the speculation but instead he chose to deny the fact he has been building a team "No I’m not actively doing anything at the moment. I've just started a new job and not sure what my work commitments are going to be like or when the election even is."
Only time will tell but the sources TB got this story from have not been wrong before and another senior member of CF was adamant that Owen "had his heart set on running."
The dates for the election remain a mystery and this time last year the campaigns were well underway. Things seem to be shifting up a gear though tonight and the flurry of anonymous briefings is well underway. This election could get pretty tense given the previous hiccups in the relationship between Meredith and Steve Ricketts, another NME member apparently planning to run. A few months back a botched attempt at an anonymous briefing by Owen against Steve caused some red faces. Tonight it seems Mr Meredith has not been too cautious in selecting who he reveals his plans to and will have to sharpen up his operation a considerable amount if this bid is going to gain any ground.
You know where you will read your election news first.
UPDATE 20:00 Seems there is no proof in the PAB rumour. He didn't fail it, this week.
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4 comments:
Given the fact I am thousands of miles away I am perhaps not in the best position to judge. But leaving aside whether Owen fancies himself as the next Michael Rock, could somebody tell me how he (and indeed some of the other Exec members) have done with what they are supposed to be doing this year?
That is a weak cv for someone hoping to be a parliamentary candidate. Don't people try and do something in life before being elected to represent other people?
Dizzy picks up on this story too.
I don't understand why Owen puts this stuff out there for all and sundry to poke fun at. His CV isn't strong, he isn't a high flier, but it isn't weak. With some dilligence and a more modest approach he *might* have a future career in adult politics.
I also think anyone who doesn't have a CV that is quite simply outstanding shouldn't pass the PAB until they are past 30. It just doesn't reflect reality and doesn't look good on the party.
Just my 2p worth!
Doesn't look like a mong to me. Not bad looking...
Hope he's not another crazy Christian.