No, it’s not Ealing this time. But rather the 2005 Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Tottenham is backing UKIP in the Sedgefield by-election.
The story particularly caught my eye because I slightly know the person – William Macdougall – from when he was a Conservative councillor in Haringey (yes, they used to have some!) up until 2002. We mainly had some dealings over the redrawing of ward boundaries, as the Lib Dems, Tories and Greens got together to put in a joint proposal. As, in addition to having held senior posts locally and stood for election at both local and Westminster level, he has also given significant sums to the Conservatives in Haringey over the years (there’s over £11,000 of donations listed on the Electoral Commission’s website) the electoral impact on the Tories may well turn out to be greater in Haringey than in Sedgefield.
Follow @libdemvoice.org on Bluesky
Like us on Facebook
Subscribe to our feed
Sign-up for our daily email digest
Lib Dems are reviewing policy and strategy says PoliticsHome
From Norman settlement to a civic square
Church Green video
Thinking of standing for election or re-election next year? Helpful questions to consider
Kira Collins
Tom Bailey
Simon Robinson
Tom Arms
Andrew Ducker
8 Comments
Mind you in Ealing an opposition candidate is predicting a Lib Dem win
Comment 174
http://politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2007/07/16/labour-becomes-a-firmer-favourite-in-southall/#comments
This is such a non-story. William is a sweet man _ but he has been rather detached from the Conservative Party for a number of years, (it was a great surprise that he bothered to put himself forward for the Tottenham ppc-ship in 2005. Also, William has not been a donor locally for a long time. I am pleased to report that the Conservatives’ finances locally in Haringey are extremely healthy due to our growing membership (lots of new, young members) and successful social program. I am happy to report that we have more than adequate reserves to fight a very strong campaign for the next mayoral/ assembly and euro elections.
It’s not really ture to say he hadn’t given money locally “for a long time” is it, given that he gave money in 2005?
I only discovered that he had ‘resigned’ from the Party yesterday and by email, as I’m currently on my hols in the Derbyshire Dales (Tories do actually have holidays – even when there are by-elections on!)
MacDougall’s membership had relapsed at the beginning of the year, so we’re not sure how he could have “resigned”. When I spoke to him on the subject of Europe during the ’05 campaign, he said that he opposed leaving the EU (a key UKIP policy!) Further more, he threatened to resign as our PPC when we, an inclusive Association, had Peter Tatchell address us. He failed to be put back on the approved candidates’ list (after my report to CCHQ). His switch is a case of sour grapes. His political career, what was left of it, is now over.
This is a complete non-story, Mark, but I’ll give you an E for effort!
* lapsed
When former Liberal Democrat candidates have joined the Conservatives, I have not noticed the Conservative Party being carefully to highlight if their membership had previously lapsed.
I know though from colleagues that in at least two cases this was the case.
Perhaps therefore Mr Hinchcliffe should have a word with his colleagues because otherwise facing both ways on how important or not it is that someone has lapsed looks hypocritical or cynical?
Dear Mark,
Thank you for your kind words. I too was pleased at how we were able to work together to make positive proposals on a local issue.
My resignation from the Conservative Party on Monday (then current in several local associations, whether or not that of Tottenham – where I don’t live – had lapsed) was a long and difficult choice reflecting the widespread dissatisfaction in the Party with David Cameron, and the fact that UKIP is no longer a single issue party.
I can understand being Lib-Dem, or Labour, but why be a cheap imitation as seems to be Cameron’s goal?
If William MacDougal had been a member of several local associations how would this affect the total membership of the Conswervative Party? Would he have been counted as 1 or as 4 or 5?