Parliamentary candidates I won't shed any tears for
Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at 15:58 Come the election I'll be taking a closer than usual interest in certain constituencies.
For example (and assuming they haven't retired), I'll be monitoring the fate of every MP who voted for or against plain packaging.
It's fair to say I won't shed too many tears if any of those who voted in favour fail to get re-elected.
If the following bite the dust I'll be positively giddy.
Jane Ellison (Conservative, Battersea)
The public health minister who introduced plain packaging was elected in the 2010 election with a majority of 5,977. Described as a "semi-marginal Conservative seat" Labour offer the greatest challenge but unless the Lib Dem vote collapses and moves en masse to Labour I'll be surprised if she doesn't win the seat again.
Stephen Williams (Lib Dem, Bristol West)
Former chairman of the APPG on Smoking and Health and an outspoken advocate of plain packaging and the smoking ban, Williams won Bristol West for the Lib Dems in 2005. In 2010 he increased his majority to 11,366 (56 per cent of the vote) and barring the complete collapse of the Lib Dem vote (in favour of Labour or the Greens) he should retain it, albeit with a reduced majority.
Sarah Wollaston (Conservative, Totnes)
In 2010, having won an open primary to represent the Conservative party, former GP Sarah Wollaston won 46 per cent of the vote and a 4,927 majority over the Lib Dems. A fierce advocate of plain packaging and latterly chairman of the Health Select Committee, expect Wollaston to lead the charge for further tobacco control measures if she is re-elected. In the unlikely event that she loses her seat, I can only paraphrase Gilbert and Sullivan when I say, "I'm sure she'll not be missed".
Anna Soubry (Conservative, Broxtowe)
The ex-smoker and former public health minister who supported plain packaging and the EU's Tobacco Products Directive has a wafer-thin majority of 389. I had a sneaking regard for feisty Ms Soubry until her recent appearance on Question Time when her constant gurning and eccentric aunt routine did her no favours. Her main opponent is former Labour MP Nick Palmer who she defeated in 2010. Too close to call.
Bob Blackman (Conservative, Harrow East)
There are few politicians I actively dislike. Despite their anti-smoking tendencies, Ellison, Williams, Wollaston and Soubry all have their good points. Blackman has no redeeming features. I hope I'm not clutching at straws when I report that the current chairman of the APPG on Smoking and Health is defending a "traditional marginal seat" and a majority of 3,403.
Fingers crossed!
Reader Comments (5)
I would love to know what you think Sarah Wollaston's good points are. I genuinely can't think of any whatsoever. To my mind she is the epitome of miserable self-righteous healthism. A poster girl for the puritans.
I am open to persuasion but it needs to be good.
I think she's genuinely independent, which I like. She has a sense of humour, which I also like, and I respect the fact she's a (former) GP. But I agree she's puritanical and for that reason I'd be delighted to see her lose her seat.
Is this the Blackman who refuses to pay back expenses when demanded of him? Nothing but the best in ASH's APPG, eh?
It's a pity that you didn't include Milton MP. In all those constituencies, there is a clear case for smokers to vote tactically, but especially those of the three recent health ministers. If Labour had a chance of beating Milton, I would vote Labour, rather than UKIP, which is how I intend to vote.
I sincerely hope that the Tory candidate – Dr Tania Mathias – takes the Twickenham seat from Vince Cable – who, amongst other things, is sanctimonious, pompous and vacuous.
Come May 7th, I will cast my vote for anyone that is likely to unseat him – even though the Tory candidate currently works as a doctor for the NHS and is therefore also likely to be anti-smoking.
Sadly, from that point, UKIP stands no chance in ‘liberal’ Richmond-upon-Thames. I just hope UKIP do well enough elsewhere to play a part in Parliamentary politics and champion the smoking cause.