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David Cameron warns 'turnip Taliban' they could damage whole party
Nicholas Cecil, Deputy Political Editor13 Nov 2009
David Cameron was today battling to stop a "turnip Taliban" revolt against a Tory candidate who had an affair spreading across the country.
Liz Truss faces being deselected as parliamentary candidate for South West Norfolk by local Tory members who were angered after learning that she had had an affair with Tory MP Mark Field five years ago.
The Tory leader phoned Sir Jeremy Bagge, the former high sheriff of Norfolk and one of her leading critics, warning him that a rebellion by local activists - who have been branded the "turnip Taliban" - could cause problems for the Conservative party across Britain.
"He said that if we really stirred things up in SW Norfolk, it could have a ripple effect across the country," Sir Jeremy told the Eastern Daily Press.
Ms Truss, who is one of Mr Cameron's A-list candidates, was expected to have won sufficient support to avoid deselection after the local party chairman David Hills and other association officers gave her their backing.
But Sir Jeremy, a friend of the royal family who owns a 1,200-acre estate, vowed to oppose her at a showdown meeting next week.
"I am sure Ms Truss is a very able woman. But I shall be moving, on a point of principle, that we do not endorse her," he said. "I do not know how much support I will get, because people can be weak in this sort of situation. But I am not standing for it."
Anger against the candidate selection process was already said to be spreading to the Suffolk Central and North Ipswich constituency.
Some Tory members are unhappy that no one from the local area is on the six-strong shortlist for the safe seat being vacated by Sir Michael Lord.
If Ms Truss is deselected, other local Tory members could be buoyed into taking a stronger stance against candidates with whom they are unhappy.
In Bromsgrove, the Conservative party is deeply split over whether Julie Kirkbride, who said she would stand down following the expenses row, should now be allowed to stand.
Conservatives in Gosport were riled when the list to replace "duckhouse" MP Sir Peter Viggers did not include any local people.
In Macclesfield, "Cameron's mafia" was accused of seeking to influence the selection process for a candidate to succeed Sir Nicholas Winterton.
Disputes over candidates have also erupted in 13 other constituencies including Bethnal Green & Bow in London, Bracknell, Bournemouth West, Cambridge, Woking and Wycombe.
Reader views (7)
What an extremely arrogant attitude. Does Cameron really think that victory at the ballot box is his if he goes round insulting the electorate? What other sections of society does he despise?
- Maggie, Acton, UK, 13/11/2009 16:45
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The only principles that Cameron seems determined to stick to are included in the Blair Manual of How to Win Power.
UKIP looks more attractive by the day!
- John C, Leatherhead, UK, 13/11/2009 13:41
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I guess that the locals are jealous that somebody in that county has had a relationship with somebody that is not a relative or an inanimate object.
- Jim, London, 13/11/2009 12:50
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Someone should tell flash that the thing that is destroying the Tory party is the instant use of Campbell style smear to stifle any dissent. I dont know about you but I would be extremely insulted to be called Taliban in any circumstances.
- Steve, Brentford, 13/11/2009 11:02
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I predicted ages ago that this whole A-list farago now combined with Cameron's betrayal on the Lisbon Treaty will lose him the general election.
- Archie Ponsonby, Thrapston, England, 13/11/2009 11:00
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This is typical of Cameron. He talks about devolving power away from Central Government but is in essence a magalamaniac as bad as Margaret Thatcher. It seems the most important role for young photogenic female Tories is to sit behind David Cameron at Prime Minister's Question Time and applaud his every utterance.
- B Slack, Acton England, 13/11/2009 09:59
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The Tories haven't learned anything over the last 6 months or so apparently. We are absolutely disillusioned by MPs and the political class with all their expenses thieving.
We have no respect for any of them. We do not like being manipulated by politicians and centralised government. To parachute candidates into seats with no consideration for the electorate is the kind of arrogance that we expect from Labour.
People should be able to nominate/select their own MP to represent the interests of the issues affecting local people. Be it country side or inner city issues. MPs should be their for the people not the Party.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 13/11/2009 09:33
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