Tory Twitter feeds have recently been graced by a succession of similar missives from Conservative MPs. Not unusual. But these aren’t the usual bumpf about a new housing development blocked, school visit navigated, or leaflet dropping session completed. These are tweets from either a Conservative MP or their local association announcing they have been re-adopted as a candidate for the next general election.
For those with longer memories than my own, these are unprecedented. That they are so similar in format – smiling candidate surrounded by eager party members, with hearty thanks attached – and seemingly routine, one detects a nod and a wink from CCHQ.
At a time when local associations are developing a habit of de-selecting sitting MPs, it is naturally in Matthew Parker Street’s interests to flood Tory timelines with evidence that most re-selections are going off without a hitch. Having seen two elected leaders dispatched in the last year, with the polls in the rum position that they are, and with the role of the MP becoming ever more hyper-localised, it is no surprise if members are a tad restless. That is a headache for a party leadership desperately seeking a quiet life, and with no interest in wasting more weeks and months with Tory navel-gazing.
That explains the similarity in format. But one imagines that Tory MPs would naturally be interested in doing this sort of thing. Although the impact of Twitter on how our politics works (or how it will decide our elections) can be overhyped, there is no doubt that the bulk of the cut and thrust of politics takes place online. Twitter will always provide a greater platform for MPs than the Stockbridge Gazette.
So far, a glance at the number of MPs who have Tweeted suggests we are a long way off from knowing exactly who will be standing for the party in every constituency next time around. With the 23rd of July as the day by which we will know what exactly will happen to every current MP, we can expect plenty more tweets to come. As ever, stay tuned to ConHome for the latest information – and anyone with any news from their own constituency can contact the site here.