Warning – this is not an official Conservative site

Some people who blog on this site seem to think everything here is the official Conservative line and has been approved by Central Office. You should know that everything on this site is written by me. There are no ghost writers who get up at 6am to do it. None of it is censored. I do not usually reproduce the official Conservative attitude or response, as there are plenty of other ways you will hear, see and read that. The aim here is to get beneath the spin of all sides, and set out ways of tackling the manifold and serious problems that confront our country. To Wokingham voters, let me also assure you that all the newsletters, leaflets and press releases I send out are also written by me.

Promoted by Christine Hill on behalf of John Redwood, both of 30 Rose Street Wokingham RG40 1XU

15 Comments

  1. Mike Stallard
    April 23, 2010

    Hey! – if only this were the official Conservative Website!

  2. Mick Anderson
    April 23, 2010

    That's why those who do understand are so frustrated. Many of us would vote "John Redwood" in a heartbeat, but don't have the opportunity because of where we live.

    Unfortunately, voting for the local Tory PPC is not even close to the same thing, whether we are casting for the candidate or the Party.

    If official Conservative policy were to move closer to what we discuss on this blog, there'd be a lot less moaning!

  3. alan jutson
    April 23, 2010

    John your posting is good to hear.

    Most of us regular readers are aware that your thoughts are not always in tune to the letter with Official Conservative Policy as released, and thats what makes your site such an interesting forum.

    Keep up the good work, although you independent thoughts are probably the reason why you are not yet on the front bench, but the time will come, and the sooner the better.

  4. JimF
    April 23, 2010

    It would be interesting to know what the official line thinks of their independent-minded blogger. Your real-world experience of course won't be recognised as it should be, in comparison to the young sycophantic PPC s with no real-world experience whom we still seem to be encouraging. So keep up the good work!

  5. Steve Pearl
    April 23, 2010

    Because The Executive is formed by MPs of the majority party, Government controls and even crushes Parliament. The result is MPs really do not have a real legislative function. The phrase "Lobby fodder" is very accurate.
    I know there are slightly more pressing concerns at the moment (and if we do get a hung Parliament or, even worse a Brown return, then it may well be "slit the wrists time"), but I wonder if Mr Redwood might write sometime on his views concerning the separation of Government from Parliament.
    I am not necessarily advocating the US system (although I think it interesting that in the US Constitution the role and duties of The Legislature take precedence over the Articles defining The Presidency).
    But surely there is a way through our current system of giving Parliament a real and not a bogus theoretical role over The Executive.
    If we had a Parliament with a degree of primacy over and independence from the Government, then we might not only have MPs within parties who are able to express their view, but are not excoriated by their parties for expressing them. And that goes for both Labour and Conservative.

    1. Ian B
      April 23, 2010

      What an excellent comment this is!

  6. Lindsay McDougall
    April 23, 2010

    We never doubted it, John. You may also rest assured that my brew of militant atheism and anarcho-capitalism has not been approved by Central Office either.

  7. ManicBeancounter
    April 23, 2010

    The general media view that every member of parliament must exactly toe the party line is damaging for democracy. Britain's politics needs constructive criticism and debate rather than the empty rhetoric of the tabloid press and spin doctors.

  8. THE ESSEX GIRLS
    April 23, 2010

    Your slogan – LOCAL MAN. NATIONAL VOICE – is terrific!

    Like us you clearly recognise the value of something punchy, relevant and easily understood by your voters.

    We ladies – now we have control of the Essex Boys' blog – are following up on the matters you allowed us to air at length on Wednesday and Thursday. Via your feedback service we received some encouraging support from your contributors. Thank you.

    We hope DC will build on his improved performance last night in next week's crucial 3rd debate. We would like to see him using some memorable slogans and soundbites from now on and in the debate itself.

    We strongly recommend these we've been advocating…

    * IT'S NOT WHAT YOU SPEND IT'S THE WAY THAT YOU SPEND IT –
    THAT'S (emphasised) WHAT GETS RESULTS!

    (Brown will boast as ever about how much of OUR money he's spent and plans to go on spending and wasting. The wind can be removed from his sails with the help of this line.)

    * SIMPLIFICATION – THAT'S THE NAME OF THE GAME
    (with credit to Bobby Darin's clever 'Multiplication' song!)
    Every aspect of Labour activity has complicated our lives, not least in the taxation rule book which has doubled in girth under Brown.
    This slogan will appeal to everyone if used in the right context. In fact back in Michael Howard's day and often since The Essex Boys have suggested it be set to the original music as one of a series of drip-drip commercials leading up to the calling of an election (both 2005 & 2010).
    And incidentally, there's still time for you Tory boys to put some relevant campaign words to a well-known upbeat song and get it recorded and released. Multiplication is a possible and we'll give you more.

    * THE CONSERVATIVES WILL RUN YOUR GOVERNMENT. WE WANT YOU TO RUN YOUR OWN LIVES.

    * Unlike Mr Brown & Mr Clegg WE (emphasised) WILL CUT OUR BUDGET TO FIT OUR CLOTH…not spend money we don't have.

    * VOTE FOR US AND HELP US TO CUT THE NONSENSE!
    # Britain's Debt # Waste # Immigration # Red tape
    # Blunders & Lies

    * 3 MORE 'C' WORDS FROM US…COMMON SENSE…COMPETENCE…CONSERVATIVES!
    Unlike our opponents WE promise to deliver a common sense solution for every problem just as YOU try to in your daily lives. That’s not rocket science! And we shall do it competently and efficiently for you if you give us your vote.

    Final note (for now): We ESSEX GIRLS will have more to contribute here on the topic of effective policy and communication in coming days as we have come to the conclusion that Tory HQ ignore constructive thought but – if they have any sense at all – will be logging in to this site several times a day.
    SO LISTEN UP YOU BLOKES IN MILLBANK – THE GIRLS ARE BACK IN TOWN AND ARE PEDALING COMMON SENSE AND A BIT OF PIZAZZ!!

  9. Mike Fowle
    April 23, 2010

    Anyone who has followed your career and comments over the years knows that you are your own man, John

  10. Paul
    April 25, 2010

    What an excellent comment this is!

  11. Robin
    April 25, 2010

    John your posting is good to hear.

    Most of us regular readers are aware that your thoughts are not always in tune to the letter with Official Conservative Policy as released, and thats what makes your site such an interesting forum.

    Keep up the good work, although you independent thoughts are probably the reason why you are not yet on the front bench, but the time will come, and the sooner the better.

  12. Steven
    April 25, 2010

    The general media view that every member of parliament must exactly toe the party line is damaging for democracy. Britain's politics needs constructive criticism and debate rather than the empty rhetoric of the tabloid press and spin doctors.

  13. Steve
    April 25, 2010

    Anyone who has followed your career and comments over the years knows that you are your own man, John

  14. Mike
    May 8, 2010

    John, what a bunch of sycophants you have contributing to your website. The thought of you on David Cameron's front bench is laughable! I don't think you fit in with the modern Conservative Party. Good luck in Walter Mitty land.

Comments are closed.