Conservative Party Chairman

[mikey4444]

I see that one of the appointments made yesterday by May, was a new Conservative Party Chairman, and certain Brandon Lewis.

I am unsure why the Chair of a political Party should be in the Cabinet ?

Surely this is the concern for the Party itself ? It isn't a Ministerial position.

[Jackdaw33]

He will probably have a sinecure, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster or Minister without Portfolio. The Tory chairman has always been a cabinet minister.

[naomi24]

//Brandon Lewis was appointed Minister of State for Immigration on 11 June 2017.

Ministerial responsibilities will be confirmed in due course.//

https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/minister-without-portfolio--4

[ToraToraTora]

well Ian Lavery is the Labour chair and he's in the shadow cabinet, it appears your beloved leader does not agree mikey! PMSL!

[mikey4444]

jack.....David Lidington is now the new Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

TTT...I am querying why anybody who holds the position as Party Chair should be in any Cabinet, shadow or not.

[naomi24]

Mikey, Why do you think he shouldn't?

[Jackdaw33]

The chairman is a political appointment by the PM. Other names which come to mind are Norman Tebbit and Cecil Parkinson.

[ToraToraTora]

"TTT...I am querying why anybody who holds the position as Party Chair should be in any Cabinet, shadow or not. " - so why is your post aimed only at the conservative party.

[mikey4444]

TTT....because yesterday May moved around the deckchairs on the Titanic a bit ( you may have missed it ! )

[ToraToraTora]

own up mikey, I'll go easy, you had a go without checking your own house first.

[mikey4444]

TTT....read my original question ::::

"I am unsure why the Chair of a political Party should be in the Cabinet ?"

[Kromovaracun]

In theory, I suppose, it is because political leaders are accountable for carrying out their manifestos - manifestos which are published, written and negotiated by the party, not the government. In that sense, it's reasonable for the party to have a delegate on the cabinet.

In practice, though, we all know that's not what the position is for. It's a channel for lobbying by higher-ups in each party,which is the principal reason anyone donates significant sums to them.

[ToraToraTora]

Mikey, it's titled "Conservative Party Chairman" - the first sentence says - "I see that one of the appointments made yesterday by May, was a new Conservative Party Chairman, and certain Brandon Lewis. " - so twice you assign this to the cons. I think you posted without checking your own party now you are wriggling, mate just come clean I understand.

[Kromovaracun]

In fairness, the reason Mikey is asking is because he noticed the Conservative one in the news. I don't think he's "wriggling" over Labour including one, he's just asking why they are there.

[mikey4444]

Thanks Kromo....I thought it was obvious !

[Kromovaracun]

It is a bit depressing how every single thread on the answerbank lately has jut descended into "YOU'RE A HYPOCRITE" "NO I'M NOT" "YES YOU ARE."

[mikey4444]

Only from the Usual Suspects though Kromo !

[Jackdaw33]

Isn't it depressing how those who dare to take an alternative view are referred to as the 'usual suspects'.

[naomi24]

Mikey, would you please answer my question at 09:35.

[albaqwerty]

'I am unsure why the Chair of a political Party should be in the Cabinet ? '

forgive me if I'm being a bit dim here, but isn't that a bit like saying the Chair of a company shouldn't attend board meetings?

[ToraToraTora]

have a day off kromo, if I'd have done this you'd, correctly, be kicking my April from earholes to breakfast time! Mikey Own up, you forgot to check your own glass house before lobbing boulders.