14 replies to this topic

[Fran]

All very tenuous, but it’s been suggested that if Boris wants to be Tory leader, he ought to get back in the Commons, and at least one political wonk thought of us: “most obvious seat for Boris? Chesham & Amersham. Knows it well & poss vacant soon”. This was in a tweet from Ed Staite (Boris’ press secretary during his first mayoral election) that was then reported in the Sunday Times.

I have no idea how likely any stage in that chain of events is, but how would you feel about Boris representing our town instead of Cheryl Gillan?

[Matthew (MPJ/Admin)]

Hmm, it could be worse!

[Bawbag]

Hmm, it could be worse!

Agreed. From what I've seen I'd argue that Gillan is possibly the worst of MPs; cabinet responsibilities, absent and seemingly detached from the area she purports to serve.

[Milton]

Boris was my parents' MP when he was MP for Henley, and they speak highly of him as a constituency MP. Mind you, his predecessor was Michael Heseltine, so they may not have had the best frame of reference. Of course, an MP with designs on high office is less likely to spend time in their constituency, but, equally, friends in David Cameron's constituency speak favourably of his interest in local affairs.

[David P]

Have those who criticise Cheryl Gillan ever had any direct experience of her? She has given a lot of support to what seems to be the most important local issue - 'Stop HS2'. I have written to her severl times over the years and have always had a sensible and prompt reply - except when I wrote expressing support for HS2 when she wrote back telling me to p... off (though in much more diplomatic terms ).

Having said that, though, I'm unlikely to vote Tory. However if Boris were the candidate then I probably would. There are times when I would vote for someone with whose politics I disagree, simply because I think they have a very useful contribution to make.

[K&P]

Not a Conservative supporter, but Boris would be very entertaining!

[MichaelHooley]

Not a Conservative supporter, but Boris would be very entertaining!

Ditto to both

[Fran]

Boris is ridiculing the possibility of his becoming PM... so maybe there IS some truth in it http://www.bbc.co.uk...litics-19176739

Mind you, the "zipwire prat" incident he refers to has generated a whole internet meme of punningly captioned photos of Boris dangling from the Olympic zipwire, superimposed on other images to (supposedly) comic effect. If that's your sort of thing, Google "dangleboris" (one word) and click the Wordpress link near the top.

[Zoom]

He would certainly raise the profile of the town

[Elliott]

Boris likes to come across as a harmless buffoon but is actually very clever and manipulative.

If he's ridiculing the idea of becoming PM, then that is exactly what he's aiming for.

Gawd, I miss Ian Gilmore!

[PaulEden]

Have those who criticise Cheryl Gillan ever had any direct experience of her?

On the two occasions I've written to her, I got replies to both, even though they were on the same subject.

[PeterC]

He would certainly raise the profile of the town

I would hope that he would raise the profile of all the communities in the constituency.

That of course is the problem with multi town constituencies with generic names. Raising the profile of "Chiltern" would probably be of more benefit to High Wycombe.

[David P]

That of course is the problem with multi town constituencies with generic names. Raising the profile of "Chiltern" would probably be of more benefit to High Wycombe.

The constituency's name is 'Chesham & Amersham'.

[Fran]

I have always presumed the name is that way round because Chesham is the larger town. Does anyone know?

[flyssy]

I get the feeling there will be an announcement from Cheryl Gillan announcing her retirement from politics soon..