South West Norfolk selection: molehill, slag heap or mountain?

South West Norfolk selection: molehill, slag heap or mountain?

If Elizabeth Truss is deselected as the Tory candidate for South West Norfolk, how much blame should be attached to David Cameron and his blogger mouthpiece Iain Dale?

Iain Dale says he will try "to offer some mature reflection and analyse where this whole sorry saga may head next".EDP Column: Why Liz Truss Deserves the Support of SW Norfolk Tories

It maybe that the Eastern Daily Press column is only in the hard copy because I have been unable to find it online and Iain has not provided a link with the post.

Perhaps, it was not such a good idea to call those who seek to deselect Liz Truss as being like Neanderthals? Iain Dale also suggest that such Tories are homophobic. Moreover, he states that they are not fit to judge because they may have their own skeletons in the closet. According to Mr Dale: "The only person entitled to judge her is her husband". He is the person to judge her qualities as a wife, however, when it comes down to being selected to represent other people in Parliament that is not for her husband to judge.

Mr Dale states that Liz Truss' affair is a completely private matter. Given that it was published by the Daily Mail A-list Tory's affair with married Cameron high-flyer, it is difficult to see how he can claim that it is not a matter of public interest. Particularly to those seeking people of good character to represent them.

Because others have had affairs whilst in public office, Mr Dale tries to argue what she did wrong was not wrong if it does not ivolve the ability to do the job. Only problem with this is that the examples given are those of people already in post, and if it was discovered during the selection process would they have been appointed? Given Iain Dale's reputation for being both a hypocrite and a liar, it is no surprise that he can see no wrong in Liz Truss not being open and honest. To claim this is not about trust is to say "trust me, I'm a liar".

It was precisely because Mark Field breached trust that he lost his shadow cabinet post and was relegated to the backbenches. Under natural justice the selection process is flawed legally because the panel failed to take the issue into account in reaching its decision.

Liz Truss was parachuted in by David Cameron, and her past was deliberately withheld from the selection committee. Are there really no local yokels in Norfolk capable of representing the folk of Norfolk?

This is a case where it would have been best if the paracute failed to open, and Liz Truss had kept her legs closed save for her husband.

UPDATE:

Tory grassroots threaten revolt over female candidate

The market towns of Norfolk are an unlikely setting for a political row which could rock the sure-footed leadership of David Cameron.