It’ll be a busy day on the interweb for associates of Watford’s Tory candidate Ian Oakley (pictured above), who has resigned after being arrested over allegations of hate crime.
It follows claims from local Lib Dems that they’d been targeted with poison pen letters, fake Lib Dem leaflets, porn and criminal damage.
Already, his profile is down from the national website but it seems Watford Conservatives are a little bit slower off the mark.
Alarm bells should have been ringing when he told the press after being selected for the seat at the “Open Primary” that he would win by giving “99% perspiration and 10% inspiration.”
He didn’t say who would be doing the perspiring but his lack of numeracy can probably be explained away by being a former regulator of the Financial Services Authority!
Whilst we respect that a person is innocent until proven guilty - and he’s not been charged - this entry on Conservativehome from Watford Tory activist Thunderdragon seems somewhat interesting in the light of recent events.
“The Lib Dems do well at local elections because they constantly post newsletters and the like through letterboxes. If Ian Oakley wants to take the seat, he should follow that example.
People like to know what is going on, wand what you plan to do about it.
“Get leafleting, and the seat can easily be turned blue!”
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Probably just an honest mix-up, Recess…
It may have said ‘Get Blue Leafleting, and the seat can easily be turned..’ - And what a quaint term, which I haven’t heard for a while.. ‘Poison Pen’ - it makes me positively nostalgic after years of putting up with ‘flame mails’..
Friend of Gaia said this on July 20th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Is that hate crime as in convicted ex Waltham Forest Labour Councillor Miranda Grell’s false accusations of paedophilia against her gay LibDem opponent then Recess?
Mr Angry said this on July 21st, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Dictionary: news (n?z, ny?z)
pl.n. (used with a sing. verb)
1. Information about recent events or happenings, especially as reported by newspapers, periodicals, radio, or television.
A presentation of such information, as in a newspaper or on a newscast.
2 New information of any kind: The requirement was news to him.
Newsworthy material: “a Tory candidate has resigned after being arrested in connection with hate crimes.”
Oh and by the way, Hitler’s dead!
chunkymonkey said this on July 21st, 2008 at 12:57 pm
There has been an ongoing campaign of tyre slashing, other damage to cars, anonymous letters being circulated accusing people of various nasty activities, middle of the night telephone calls etc.
This Tory may or may not be the guilty party, but it is nasty stuff.
Sam said this on July 21st, 2008 at 1:05 pm
The story in the times says it’s been going on for six years, whereas Ian has been the PPC since 2006. Probably someone else in the local party is responsible.
To declare an interest I’m not a Tory but I knew Ian at Durham - I was on here looking for the latest Mark Clarke news. Find this all very difficult to believe, unless of course Marke Clarke has been drafted in to run the local campaign.
Richard said this on July 23rd, 2008 at 9:36 am
Actually, it looks like Ian was the agent for the previous candidate, so the dates are ok. Still say it wasn’t him. More likely someone in local politics for longer with a harder grudge.
Richard said this on July 23rd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
[…] activist Ian Oakley - forced to stand down as PPC for Watford after being arrested by police investigating a three year ha… - has now been […]
RecessMonkey » Blog Archive » Cameron’s Watford Crap - police update said this on July 25th, 2008 at 6:58 am
[…] reaches us that Ian Oakley, the former Watford Tory PPC forced to stand down after being arrested for a hate campaign against […]
RecessMonkey » Blog Archive » It’s a busy day…. said this on August 5th, 2008 at 12:24 pm