Conservative A-List

TheConservative A-List,also calledPriority List,was a list ofUnited Kingdomcandidates drawn up byConservative Central Officeat the behest ofDavid Cameronfollowing hiselection as party leaderin December 2005, aimed as a means of broadening the number of ConservativeMembers of Parliament,potentialpeersandMEPsfromminority groupsand women as well as other preferred candidates for candidature. Where the preferred forums for selection were held, at least two members from the list were put to everyopen primary,and where these were not held the A-list were recommended directly, particularly to the top target seats.

Cameron Cutiewas a term used for female candidates.^[1]

History[edit]

In April 2006, a Conservative Party committee on candidates set out to deliver a promise byDavid Cameronto transform the Conservative party atWestminster.The committee reduced 500 aspiring politicians on the party's list of approvedparliamentary candidatesto an "A-list" of between 100 and 150 priority candidates.^[2]The result was a list on which more than half of the names were of women. The list included the formerCoronation StreetactorAdam Rickitt,Zac Goldsmith,the authorLouise Bagshawe (later Mensch),andMargot James.^[3]

Amid controversy, the "A-list" approach was endorsed byMichael Portillo,a Conservative MP until 2005, who in 2006 said that

[based on current membership]...much of the Parliamentary Party is reactionary and unattractive to voters.^[4]

Conservative chairmen and activists in seats considered potentially winnable were in the run-up to the 2010 election urged byConservative Central Officeto select candidates from the new A-list and were in many cases included inopen primaries,new and preferred open-to-all selection meetings.^[5]

The2010 general electionsaw failures as well as successes for the "A-listers" selected for 'winnable' seats.^[6]

Listed[edit]

Those on the A-list included the following: (boldmarks people elected to Parliament in 2010)^[7]^[8]^[9]

Amar Ahmed, a GP in Cheshire since 2000 and was National Chairman Conservative Policy Forum, Public Sector and Infrastructure, between 2011 and 2015.
Tariq Ahmad,^{[n 1]}life peer in theHouse of Lordssince 2011
Louise Bagshawe (later Mensch),MP forCorby,2010–2012
Shaun Bailey,children's worker, PPC forHammersmith2010, candidate forMayor of London,2021,life peer in the House of Lords since 2023
Harriett Baldwin,^{[n 2]}MP forWest Worcestershire,2010– *
Steve Barclay,^{[n 3]}MP forNorth East Cambridgeshire,2010– *
Gavin Barwell,MP forCroydon Central,2010–2017 *
James Bethell,^{[n 4]}a Founder of theMinistry of Sound,hereditary peer in the House of Lords since 2018
Nick Boles,^{[n 5]}MP forGrantham and Stamford,2010–2019 *
Karen Bradley,^{[n 6]}MP forStaffordshire Moorlands,2010–
Angie Bray,^{[n 7]}MP forEaling Central and Acton,2010–2015
Steve Brine,MP forWinchester,2010–
Fiona Bruce,^{[n 8]}MP forCongleton,2010–
Dr. David Bull,television presenter, PPC forBrighton Pavilion,2010,Brexit PartyMEP, 2019–2020
Conor Burns,^{[n 9]}MP forBournemouth West,2010– *
Georgina Butler,formerAmbassador of the United Kingdom to Costa Rica
Martin Callanan,MEP forNorth East England,life peer in the House of Lords since 2014
Joanne Cash,barrister, PPC forWestminster North2010
Pamela Chesters^{[n 10]}London AssemblyAdvisor for Health and Youth Opportunities
Damian Collins,^{[n 11]}MP forFolkestone and Hythe,2010– *
Tim Collins,^{[n 12]}former MP
Charles Crawford,formerAmbassador of the United Kingdom to Poland
Iain Dale,^{[n 13]}blogger
Caroline Dinenage,^{[n 14]}MP forGosport,2010–
Jane Ellison,^{[n 15]}MP forBattersea,2010–2017
Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones,Entrepreneur of the Year — the Black Enterprise Awards 2005, PPC Chippenham 2010
Howard Flight,former MP, life peer in the House of Lords since 2011
Vicky Ford,MEP for East of England, MP forChelmsford,2017– *
Jacqueline Foster,MEPforNorth West England,life peer in the House of Lords since 2021
George Freeman,^{[n 16]}MP forMid Norfolk,2010– *
David Gold,^{[n 17]}PPC forEltham2010
Zac Goldsmith,MP forRichmond Park,2010–2016, 2017–2019, life peer in the House of Lords since 2020
Francois Gordon,formerHigh Commissioner to Uganda
Helen Grant,MP forMaidstone and The Weald,2010–
Andrew Griffiths,^{[n 18]}MP forBurton,2010–2019 *
Sam Gyimah,MP forEast Surrey,2010–2019 *
Rebecca Harris,^{[n 19]}MP forCastle Point,2010– *
Chris Heaton-Harris,^{[n 20]}MP for Daventry, 2010–
Margot James,^{[n 21]}MP forStourbridge,2010–2019
Syed Kamall,MEP forLondon,life peer in the House of Lords since 2021
Pauline Latham,^{[n 22]}MP forMid Derbyshire,2010– *
Andrea Leadsom,^{[n 23]}MP forSouth Northamptonshire,2010– *
Dr. Phillip Lee,^{[n 24]}MP forBracknell,2010–2019 *
Brandon Lewis,^{[n 25]}MP forGreat Yarmouth,2010–
Group CaptainAl Lockwood^{[n 26]}
Jack Lopresti,^{[n 27]}MP forFilton and Bradley Stoke,2010–
Kit Malthouse,^{[n 28]}Member of theLondon Assembly,MP forNorth West Hampshire2015–
Paul Maynard,^{[n 29]}MP forBlackpool North,2010–
Anne McIntosh,^{[n 30]}MP forThirsk and Malton,2010–2015
Esther McVey,^{[n 31]}MP forWirral West,2010–2015 andTatton,2017–
Mark Menzies,^{[n 32]}MP forFylde,2010– *
Priti Patel,^[10]^{[n 33]}MP forWitham,2010– *
Mark Pawsey,^{[n 34]}MP forRugby,2010–
Andrew Percy,^{[n 35]}MP forBrigg and Goole,2010–
Kulveer Ranger,^{[n 36]}Director of Environment, life peer in the House of Lords since 2023
Annunziata Rees-Mogg,^{[n 37]}journalist, PPC forSomerton and Frome,2010, Brexit Party MEP, 2019–2020
Adam Rickitt,actor and singer
Caroline Righton,presenter, PPC forSt Austell and Newquay,2010
Murad Roberts, Member of theSociety of Conservative Lawyers,2015
Amber Rudd,^[11]MP forHastings and Rye,2010–2019
Laura Sandys,MP forThanet South,2010–2015
Jane Scott,Leader ofWiltshire Council,life peer in the House of Lords since 2015
Anna Soubry,^{[n 38]}MP forBroxtowe,2010–2019
Andrew Stephenson,^{[n 39]}MP forPendle,2010–
Mel Stride,MP forCentral Devon,2010– *
Philippa Stroud,^{[n 40]}Director of the Centre for Social Justice, life peer in the House of Lords since 2015
Liz Truss,^{[n 41]}MP forSouth West Norfolk,2010–.Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,2022.
Sayeeda Warsi,^{[n 42]}life peer in the House of Lords since 2007
Heather Wheeler,^{[n 43]}MP forSouth Derbyshire,2010–
Susan Williams,^{[n 44]}life peer in the House of Lords since 2013

Notes and references[edit]

Notes[edit]

^PPC Croydon North 2005
^PPC Stockton North 2005
^PPC Lancaster and Wyre 2001
^PPC Tooting 2005
^PPC Hove 2005
^PPC Manchester Withington 2005
^London AssemblyMember
^PPC Warrington South 2005
^PPC Eastleigh 2005
^FormerCamden LBopposition lead councillor. PPC Bristol West 2001
^PPC Northampton North 2005
^Westmoreland and Lonsdale MP 1997–2005
^PPC North Norfolk 2005
^PPC Portsmouth South 2005
^PPC Pendle 2005
^PPC Stevenage 2005
^PPC Brighton Pavilion 2001
^PPC Dudley North 2001; European candidate in 2004
^Special Adviser toTim Yeo
^East Midlands MEP 1999–2009
^PPC Holborn and Pancras 2005
^PPC Broxtowe 2001
^PPC Knowsley South 2005
^PPC Blaenau Gwent 2005
^Leader of Brentwood Borough Council
^PPC Sedgefield 2005
^Bristolcouncillor
^former deputy Leader ofWestminster Council
^PPC Twickenham 2005
^Vale of York MP 1997–2010
^PPC Wirral West 2005
^PPC Selby 2005
^PPC Nottingham North 2005
^PPC Nuneaton 2005
^PPC Normanton 2005
^PPC Makerfield 2005
^PPC Aberavon 2005
^PPC Gedling 2005
^Macclesfield councillor
^PPC Birmingham Ladywood 2005
^PPC Calder Valley 2005
^PPC Dewsbury 2005
^PPC Coventry South 2001 and 2005
^Leader ofTraffordCouncil 2004–2009

References[edit]

^"Are the Tories only looking for 'cutie' candidates?".The Daily Telegraph.Retrieved27 June2023.
^Will Woodward and Tania Branigan, "The A-list: new leader's drive for women and minority candidates"inThe Guardian,19 April 2006
^Will Woodward, chief political correspondent,"Former soap star on Cameron's A-list of Tory candidates"inThe Guardian,11 May 2006
^Michael Portillo,Cameron's A-list could give Tories the X factorinThe Sunday Timesdated 30 July 2006, online
^A-list 'not snubbing' NE Englanddated 20 October 2006 at bbc.co.uk
^Election 2010 Part Three 2155,vol. 44:17,retrieved5 November2021
^Rosemary Bennett,"The A-list"inThe Timesdated 12 June 2006, at timesonline.co.uk
^Who is on the A-list?at conservativehome web site
^Conservative A-List and selections Archived28 March 2010 at theWayback Machinedated 4 June 2006 at colin-ross.org.uk
^Robin Brant,A year on, has the A-list worked?at BBC.co.uk dated December 2006
^PPC Liverpool Garston 2005

[10] PPC Croydon North 2005

[11] PPC Stockton North 2005

[12] PPC Lancaster and Wyre 2001

[13] PPC Tooting 2005

[14] PPC Hove 2005

[15] PPC Manchester Withington 2005

[16] London AssemblyMember

[17] PPC Warrington South 2005

[18] PPC Eastleigh 2005

[19] FormerCamden LBopposition lead councillor. PPC Bristol West 2001

[20] PPC Northampton North 2005

[21] Westmoreland and Lonsdale MP 1997–2005

[22] PPC North Norfolk 2005

[23] PPC Portsmouth South 2005

[24] PPC Pendle 2005

[25] PPC Stevenage 2005

[26] PPC Brighton Pavilion 2001

[27] PPC Dudley North 2001; European candidate in 2004

[28] Special Adviser toTim Yeo

[29] East Midlands MEP 1999–2009

[30] PPC Holborn and Pancras 2005

[31] PPC Broxtowe 2001

[32] PPC Knowsley South 2005

[33] PPC Blaenau Gwent 2005

[34] Leader of Brentwood Borough Council

[35] PPC Sedgefield 2005

[36] Bristolcouncillor

[37] rmer deputy Leader ofWestminster Council

[38] PPC Twickenham 2005

[39] Vale of York MP 1997–2010

[40] PPC Wirral West 2005

[41] PPC Selby 2005

[43] PPC Nottingham North 2005

[44] PPC Nuneaton 2005

[45] PPC Normanton 2005

[46] PPC Makerfield 2005

[47] PPC Aberavon 2005

[49] PPC Gedling 2005

[50] Macclesfield councillor

[51] PPC Birmingham Ladywood 2005

[52] PPC Calder Valley 2005

[53] PPC Dewsbury 2005

[54] PPC Coventry South 2001 and 2005

[55] Leader ofTraffordCouncil 2004–2009

[1] "Are the Tories only looking for 'cutie' candidates?".The Daily Telegraph.Retrieved27 June2023.

[2] Will Woodward and Tania Branigan, "The A-list: new leader's drive for women and minority candidates"inThe Guardian,19 April 2006

[3] Will Woodward, chief political correspondent,"Former soap star on Cameron's A-list of Tory candidates"inThe Guardian,11 May 2006

[4] Michael Portillo,Cameron's A-list could give Tories the X factorinThe Sunday Timesdated 30 July 2006, online

[5] A-list 'not snubbing' NE Englanddated 20 October 2006 at bbc.co.uk

[6] Election 2010 Part Three 2155,vol. 44:17,retrieved5 November2021

[7] Rosemary Bennett,"The A-list"inThe Timesdated 12 June 2006, at timesonline.co.uk

[8] Who is on the A-list?at conservativehome web site

[9] Conservative A-List and selections Archived28 March 2010 at theWayback Machinedated 4 June 2006 at colin-ross.org.uk

[42] Robin Brant,A year on, has the A-list worked?at BBC.co.uk dated December 2006

[48] PPC Liverpool Garston 2005

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v t e David Cameron
53rdPrime Minister of the United Kingdom(2010–2016) Foreign Secretary(2023–2024) Leader of the Opposition(2005–2010) Leader of the Conservative Party(2005–2016) MPforWitney(2001–2016)
Premiership	Cameron–Clegg coalition Second Cameron ministry 2010 coalition negotiations Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition agreement Nick Clegg's tenure as Deputy Prime Minister Chancellorship of George Osborne Austerity programme 2010 budget 2011 budget 2012 budget 2013 budget 2014 budget March 2015 budget July 2015 budget 2016 budget Theresa May's tenure as Home Secretary Iain Duncan Smith's tenure as Work and Pensions Secretary Michael Gove's tenure as Education Secretary Jeremy Hunt's tenure as Health Secretary Big Society Muscular liberalism Project Merlin Austerity programme Cash for Access scandal 2012 cabinet reshuffle 2014 cabinet reshuffle 2016 EU referendum Resignation Honours Piggate International trips
Foreign Secretary	November 2023 British cabinet reshuffle International trips
Politics	Political positions Shadow Cabinet Opposition frontbench Witney The A-List Cameron Cutie Our Society, Your Life Greensill scandal
Electoral history	2005 (party leadership) 2006 (local) 2007 (local) 2008 (local) 2009 (local) 2009 (European) 2010 (local) 2010 (general) 2011 (local) 2012 (local) 2013 (local) 2014 (local) 2014 (European) 2015 (general) 2015 (local) 2016 (local)
Family	Samantha Cameron(wife) Alexander Cameron(brother) Sir William Mount, 2nd Baronet(grandfather)
Public image	1987 Bullingdon Club photograph Notting Hill set(2004) Dave the Chameleon(2006) WebCameron(2006) Make Me a Tory(2007) The Trial of Tony Blair(2007) Headcases(2008 TV series) When Boris Met Dave(2009) The Cobra(2010 novel) Friends(2010) The New Coalition Academy(2010–16) Britain's Economy: Cameron and Clegg Face the Audience(2010) Chipping Norton set(2010) The Audience(2013 play) Coalition(2015) Cameron's Coup(2015) Call Me Dave(2015) Newzoids(2015–2016 TV series) Brexit: The Uncivil War(2019) For the Record(2019)
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