Deselect This

With absolutely no local involvement, Little Johnny Poshboys are about parachuted into what they had thought were safe seats. The Conservative heartlands, or so it had been assumed, will then feel very much like North West Durham.

Suddenly deselection is about to become normal and acceptable. Labour could not get rid of a failed and detested Leader of Haringey Council without weeks of backlash from media whose affection for her said everything that needed to be said about her. But the rules are different for Boris Johnson.

Well, many a Little Johnny Poshboy is in for the shock of his sweet little life. While the Conservatives are not going to pick up seats that voted Leave precisely as a rejection of them, having already failed to do that in 2017, they were already on course to lose at least 30 and possibly 50 Remain seats to the Liberal Democrats. Treating the voters like this should increase that number from "up to 50" to "at least 50".

The Conservatives' priced in loss of 10 seats to the SNP rises to the full 13 with the departure of Ruth Davidson. And several deselected MPs would either hold their seats against the frankly insulting alternatives proffered by their former party, or at any rate take enough votes to install whoever was already in second place.

Another hung Parliament is coming, therefore, and we need our people to hold the balance of power in it. A new party is now in the process of registration. After nearly 30 years of suggestion, speculation, and even a sort of preparation, I will stand for Parliament here at North West Durham. The crowdfunding page is here, and buy the book here. Please email davidaslindsay@hotmail.com. Very many thanks.