Anne Milton - Guildford MP (and Dipstick)

EDM 1088 - CONDUCT OF GOVERNMENT POLICY IN RELATION TO THE WAR AGAINST IRAQ: That this House believes that there should be a select committee of seven honourable Members, being members of Her Majesty's Privy Council, to review the way in which the responsibilities of Government were discharged in relation to Iraq and all matters relevant thereto, in the period leading up to military action in that country in March 2003 and in its aftermath.

During the election campaign, Anne claimed to be angry about the Iraq war 'from the very beginning'.

Will she put her name to this motion?

If she does, will she do it early or will she hang back for a bit and see what other MPs do first?

[Note for the record: currently there are 6 signatures.]

UPDATES:
25 Nov - 32 signatures today... Anne's isn't among them.
26 Nov - 45 signatures, no Milton
30 Nov - 59 signatures (15 of them Tory), no Milton

1 Dec - 69 signatures and.... Anne Milton's is one of them! I must admit that I'm pleasantly surprised (this brings Anne score up to 2 in my book). I honestly thought she wouldn't touch this EDM with a barge poll while the Tory leadership remained in question. Either Anne has grown a pair, or Guido is on the money when he says that Davis is all but buried.

Labels: david cameron, golf clap, tory leadership

Labels: david cameron, publicity, tory leadership

Monday 10th Oct 2005: This blog criticises Anne Milton for sitting on the fence.

Tuesday 12th Oct 2005: Anne Milton finally declares support for a candidate:

Guardian - 12 October: With Guildford's new MP, Anne Milton, also declaring for him last night Mr Cameron now has 29 public backers, Dr Fox 15, Mr Clarke 20.

That's three complete coincidences in a row, folks (see: coincidences 1 and 2).

We've heard reports of Amme declaring support for David Davis on the radio early last week, but have yet to confirm that. But if we could, it would show a clear pattern of her backing the favourite... and then backing the favourite. No matter... lack of confirmation on this front merely robs us of a new nickname; Little Morphin' Annie.

Also, this belated declaration requires us to update the Anne Milton For Shadow Cabinet campaign, but let's give members of her staff the public a chance to refute the importance/effectiveness of this blog first, m'kay?

Comments were open on Monday and Tuesday. They are open again today.

Labels: david cameron, inaction, tory leadership

Telegraph - Clues to how those MPs who have not revealed their intentions may cast their vote: Anne Milton (Guildford): Undecided. Appears open to persuasion from any candidate.

64 undecided, and she's the only one with no known indication. Even out of the fresh crop of 56 new Tory MPs - i.e. with no 'history' - she's the only one with no indication (or declaration).

Perhaps it's a communication problem. After all, I've been assured on numerous occasions that Amme is a left-of-centre Tory who isn't afraid to speak her mind. Maybe no-one has heard her speak it yet.

Or maybe - just maybe - there's a reason why this reminds me so much of the Amme's pre-election public consultation exercise (which I've summarised below in the hope that you will understand why I first nicknamed her 'dipstick'):

People of Guildford, tell me what you believe in and care about.... (pause).... well, I'll be jiggered; that's *exactly* what I believe in and care about!

Tell you what; the comments will be left open today so the anonymous 'contributors' who support Anne Milton (but definitely don't work for Anne Milton) can speak up on her behalf and perhaps choose from the following options:

- Inform Amme's constituents of her clearly stated (but sadly unreported) preference

- Express a personal preference and project that onto Amme (so she can deny having expressed it herself)

- Either of the above, while also choosing the relatively safe option of ruling out one of the trailing candidates

- Explain to those of us with hate-filled hearts that Amme is mostly concerned about *local* issues and *local* people and *local* action

- Explain to those of us with hate-filled hearts that what we are watching is diplomacy in action

- Criticise those of us with hate-filled hearts for interfering with a deeply personal decision

Labels: david cameron, tory leadership

And I quote: Anne believes that as a nurse and working mother, with nearly 30 years experience in the NHS and local government she brings a fresh approach to Conservative politics. She believes that many people are disillusioned with politicians and she is determined to show people that she can bring a new set of values and skills to Parliament.

'Many' people believe that she should have that chance... but she won't get far bitching from the back benches, as any MP will be able to tell you.

To really make a difference, Anne needs to be where the action is... and as the Tory leadership contest hots up, I propose that Anne's supporters put their money where their mouth is. In more ways than one:

Click here for an A4-sized poster!

The campaign is going to run a bit like Pop Idol... and by that I mean you'll need to suck up to the judges.

What you have to do is choose the one candidate you believe should (or could) replace Michael Howard as the next Tory leader, register your support for them via email, and also make it clear in that email why you think Anne should play a key role in their cabinet.

Key points you may wish to raise include:
- She's a nurse
- She's a mother
- She's a Scorpio

You may only choose one candidate, and you are only permitted to send one email.

You are not - repeat not - allowed to be naughty and make multiple pleas under a range of pseudonyms.

(Note - Should Anne make a public statement of support in favour of one candidate over another, then we will of course bow to her wisdom and instead focus the calls for a shadow cabinet position accordingly, and a second email will be permitted for each participant who chose the 'wrong' candidate.)

Ken Clarke - email clarkek@parliament.uk or use this contact page
David Davis - email davisd@parliament.uk or use this contact page
David Cameron - email camerond@parliament.uk or use this contact page
Liam Fox - email foxl@parliament.uk or use this contact page
Malcolm Rifkind - email rifkindm@parliament.uk or use this contact page

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IMPORTANT UPDATE - 12 OCTOBER 2005

**************************************

Anne has now thrown her weight behind David Davis Cameron, which means that you now need to send emails to him and him alone.

(Unless of course you wish to send emails to any of the other candidates to inform them that Anne Milton does not wish to form part of their shadow cabinet, as she is a woman of strong convictions, and any such offer would only embarrass her.)

David Cameron - email camerond@parliament.uk or use the contact details at his campaign website

Labels: david cameron, tory leadership