Easiest route to becoming an MP....Lib Dem maybe?

[Martial Arts Man]

A few days ago my mother told me that she intends to run for a seat in the next but one general election for her beloved party.

That is irrelevant to this thread, but it got me thinking about the easiest route to parliament. Leaving aside ideology and the consequent ability to actually have any impact, my conclusion is that the Lib Dems are the ones to go for.

The Tories seem a little too hard to infiltrate. I suspect a closed shop is in operation. My experience of local Tory associations leads me to conclude that any PPC decision could be won or lost on random, trivial factors.

Labour could easily be bought with a relatiely small donation I believe, although the practicalities of having to deal with your average Labour party member seriously downgrades the opportunity.

The Lib Dems seem the ideal choice. Their candidates and MPs are unspectacular, at best. Their policies vague and their coffers are not bulging.


So, if you wanted to become and MP and just wanted to climb on board the gravy train, which party would you choose?

And what would you do then?

[herewego]

I heard on the radio this morning that lots of people are enquiring about becoming MPs. They didn't go into whether people wanted to put right the expenses wrongs or to join the gravy train.

[CzechItOut]

I'd have thought that the next election would be the best possible time to stand as an independent, as plenty of people will be pissed off with the whole party politics thing. Who knows what it will be like in ten years time though.

It might be easier to get a nomination within the Lib Dems, but with only 60-odd actual MPs I'd reckon these seats are prety much sown up by the very top people in their party.

[TedMaul]

Martial Arts Man said:

So, if you wanted to become and MP and just wanted to climb on board the gravy train, which party would you choose?

And what would you do then?

1) Join the Green Party
2) Make a fortune on expenses
3) Bring them down from the inside
4) Retire wealthy and satisfied at my lifes work.

[herewego]

TedMaul said:

Martial Arts Man said:

So, if you wanted to become and MP and just wanted to climb on board the gravy train, which party would you choose?

And what would you do then?

1) Join the Green Party
2) Make a fortune on expenses
3) Bring them down from the inside
4) Retire wealthy and satisfied at my lifes work.

You won't go to heaven.

[TedMaul]

herewego said:

TedMaul said:

Martial Arts Man said:

So, if you wanted to become and MP and just wanted to climb on board the gravy train, which party would you choose?

And what would you do then?

1) Join the Green Party
2) Make a fortune on expenses
3) Bring them down from the inside
4) Retire wealthy and satisfied at my lifes work.

You won't go to heaven.

True, but judging by the calibre of people who believe it exists, I'm quite happy to avoid the place!

[herewego]

TedMaul said:

herewego said:

TedMaul said:

Martial Arts Man said:

So, if you wanted to become and MP and just wanted to climb on board the gravy train, which party would you choose?

And what would you do then?

1) Join the Green Party
2) Make a fortune on expenses
3) Bring them down from the inside
4) Retire wealthy and satisfied at my lifes work.

You won't go to heaven.

True, but judging by the calibre of people who believe it exists, I'm quite happy to avoid the place!

[Martial Arts Man]

CzechItOut said:

It might be easier to get a nomination within the Lib Dems, but with only 60-odd actual MPs I'd reckon these seats are prety much sown up by the very top people in their party.

Sorry, I wasn't at all clear in my OP.

I was assuming that whomever decided to run would have a decent chance of electoral success.

For instance, I reckon I could run as a candidate from any of the parties and make it to parliament.

I'd just need to chose my seat carefully then buy my way to nomination (which would be very cheap, I suspect-certainly less than half a year's MP salary).

The rest I could take care of myself.

Local campaigning is 100 years out of date. With a well planned, modern campaign, one could easily make it to parliament. There are plenty of US Local Election How To guides out there; they know a thing or two about elections, that's for sure!


Y'know, if they were paid more I think I'd give it a try. Certainly would be a lot of fun.

[herewego]

Martial Arts Man said:

CzechItOut said:

It might be easier to get a nomination within the Lib Dems, but with only 60-odd actual MPs I'd reckon these seats are prety much sown up by the very top people in their party.

Sorry, I wasn't at all clear in my OP.

I was assuming that whomever decided to run would have a decent chance of electoral success.

For instance, I reckon I could run as a candidate from any of the parties and make it to parliament.

I'd just need to chose my seat carefully then buy my way to nomination (which would be very cheap, I suspect-certainly less than half a year's MP salary).

The rest I could take care of myself.

Local campaigning is 100 years out of date. With a well planned, modern campaign, one could easily make it to parliament. There are plenty of US Local Election How To guides out there; they know a thing or two about elections, that's for sure!


Y'know, if they were paid more I think I'd give it a try. Certainly would be a lot of fun.

Make it up on expenses.

[johnfm]

I was tempted to look at MEP elections - but the % vote independents were getting was so low - and I expect all the main parties candidates were all sewn up.

I'm prefer travelling to Brussels weekly to trough than London - better totty.