Monday 16 January 2012

Into the valley of Cameron sidled the 301

James Forsyth, the Coffee House, reports that, according to the Times (£), a new group has been formed amongst Conservative backbenchers. From Conservative Home we are informed that the Times article includes:
"A new group of Tory MPs is warning David Cameron that he will fail to win an overall majority unless the Tories broaden their appeal beyond Europe, immigration and welfare cuts. In a challenge to the party’s old guard, the 301 group is urging the leadership to pursue issues such as poverty, the environment, the benefits of the welfare state and a more direct appeal to ethnic minorities."

The story claims that this new 301 Group - named after the number of seats the party has to win to gain an overall majority - has about 120 MPs as supporters, and that its establishment "reveals frustration among the 2010 intake with the 1922 Committee, the traditional forum for backbenchers.

The story claims that this new 301 Group - named after the number of seats the party has to win to gain an overall majority - has about 120 MPs as supporters, and that its establishment "reveals frustration among the 2010 intake with the 1922 Committee, the traditional forum for backbenchers."
Janet Daily posts what I believe is a completely fair comment on this move.


Whilst the list of the 120 is not known, CH reports that it includes Jessica Lee (Erewash), Dan Poulter (Suffolk Central & Ipswich North) Laura Sandys (Thanet South), George Hollingbery (Meon Valley) and Damian Collins (Folkestone & Hythe).


My first thought was that these 120 'Conservative' MPs probably consitute those who have loyally supported David Cameron in the lobbies; and if the 5 above are any example, then they have. (click on 'more on their record' to view that 'loyalty'). Another point not in their favour, on a personal level, is that "They Work For You" classifies each and every one of that 5 as having voted strongly, or very strongly, for more integration into the EU.


What these 120 Conservative MPs are really after remains but the subject of supposition, however  as we all know that there have, amongst the MSM, been suggestions that Dav il Cam is the possessor of a 'bald spot' - I can only presume he is also the possessor of a tasty bum!

6 comments:

Michael Fowke said...

Haven't they already scared off enough Conservative voters? UKIP will love this.

john in cheshire said...

301 is that a slimmer version of the Levi 501s?

TomTom said...

Janet Daley has her opinions.....frankly the Conservatives have no chance of winning a majority because they are even more loathed in the North than in 2010. Cameron + City Bonus Fever 2012 should be the post image for elections to come.

It is colder in the North and very expensive to live the life green millionaires demand especially when everything is going bust to preserve Zombie Banks in London

Anonymous said...

Hopefully there will be a devastating split in the Fauxservative party. With a bit of luck there will be dozens of defections to UKIP

PeterCharles said...

It's just another manifestation of the New Social Democratic Conservative Party. Indeed I would not be surprised to discover that David Cameron is himself the "eminence gris" behind it.

Having satisfactorily paraded his "Euroscepticism" to the gullible he is now setting out to polish his "heir to Blair" credentials and to show little Nicky how much they all have in common.

WitteringsfromWitney said...

MF: Ukip may love it but I doubt the defection element. Existing Tories are more concerned about their careers than principles.

TT: You are, probably again, right.

Anon: See comment to MF above.

PC: Agree with you totally!