Forum Topic

Conservative candidate for Putney

I was recently informed by a Conservative canvasser that his constituency association was meeting tonight to select a candidate to replace Justine Greening.Does anyone know who is on the shortlist and what their backgrounds are ?And if anyone will be attending the meeting could they let the rest of us know what were the key issues debated and where the successful candidate stands on them ?

John Hawkes ● 2569d23 Comments

I heard this evening that the chosen candidate is Will Sweet, but there's not much if you Google him, he is already a WBC councillor.  No doubt there will be more in the next few days.

Bunny Payne ● 2568d

That is correct Bunny, this was announced last night at the vote by party members.Unfortunately I couldn’t make the vote as was away but received the below email-ANNOUNCEMENT: WILL SWEET SELECTED AS PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE FOR PUTNEYWe are delighted to announce, that following a packed selection meeting at the Werter Road Community Church this evening, Putney Conservatives voted overwhelmingly for Will Sweet to spearhead our drive to retain the parliamentary seat following Justine Greening's recent retirement from Parliament On his selection Will said:“It means so much to me to be given this chance to represent our home. Wandsworth is where I grew up, got my first job and still live today. I am delighted to have been chosen by the local membership to stand at the next General Election for Putney, a place I love so much. Putney, Southfields and Roehampton need an MP who will champion them in a way that leaves no one behind. As a Wandsworth Councillor, I have spent the last 5 years delivering extra funding for schools and regeneration in Putney and protecting us from bad development. I am looking forward to using my experience working for the Foreign Office to ensure that Brexit works for the people of Putney. I want to solve our transport issues, rejuvenate our high streets and protect the environment. I have seen amazing changes in Putney, Southfields and Roehampton in the last 30 years but I think the future can be even brighter.”Will lives in Wandsworth, where he grew up, got his first job and met his partner. After university, he worked as an adviser to shops and businesses. For the last six years he worked for the Foreign Office. As a Wandsworth Councillor, he is the Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services and used to be Planning Chairman. He has spent his time at the Council delivering extra funding for schools and regeneration in Putney, Southfields and Roehampton and protecting us from bad development. He spends his spare time running and cycling and with his family and friends.

Nick Gulliford ● 2568d

So he supports Brexit. He says he will “ensure that Brexit works for the people of Putney” which is something of an oxymoron. The question is, should we vote Liberal Democrat or Labour to chuck our Boris’s gang of right wing Tories who are planning a crash out in October 2020?Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 2568d

Bang on, Nick. Justine got some remainer votes because she was personally a remainer who fought for her views to be heard. A leaver candidate will lose those votes, and Putney is a strong remain constituency. I am hopeful.

Sean Hodges ● 2568d

Will not vote for him. As already said Putney is a Remain constituency and Mr Sweet will not be representing us if he is a Brexiteer. Brexit is not good for London or Putney.

Lucille Grant ● 2568d

Morning Nick.  I find his comment about Brexit quite puzzling. I don't see it as an endorsement because it could be taken the other way round i.e. he would do what he could to oppose it in order to benefit Putney. The comment was deliberately obtuse and ambiguous in my opinion.

Sue Hammond ● 2568d

Good point Sue. Maybe Mr Sweet should come out and say exactly what he means in order for  us all to know  whether he's toeing  Boris's line or not.

Lucille Grant ● 2568d

Yes I agree Lucille.  I think everybody has had enough of double-speak by our politicians.

Sue Hammond ● 2568d

"I think everybody has had enough of double-speak by our politicians."I suppose so, but they often scare me when they say what they really believe.

David Ainsworth ● 2568d

Mr Sweet voted Remain in 2016, so the people on here should have no problem voting for him on that score.Not my preferred candidate, I voted for Joy Morrissey.

Mike Harris ● 2568d

David, Sue, Lucille. Surely, we can all agree we'd like clarity and honesty from our politicians? If it's too scary perhaps vote for someone else? Anyway, Mr Sweet won't be getting my vote.

Michael Ixer ● 2568d

@MichaelNothing scary about it for me. Labour will not get my vote, neither will the LibDems. Now that the Conservatives will be campaigning to Brexit I just wish Justine was standing again, then I could vote Tory to try and keep her as our MP, and also keep Boris in power. Now she's going I really don't know ...

Sue Hammond ● 2568d

I certainly would appreciate honesty and clarity from our politicians - it's been sadly lacking for far too long.

Lucille Grant ● 2568d

I have not seen what this chap has said about Brexit or any other political issue.Can anyone point out where I might find it ?Re Brexit he will of course toe the Party line."The referendum showed that the electorate wanted to leave the EU and so it is incumbent on the HoC to effect this. Boris has negotiated a wonderful deal under which we can leave and move forward into both a wonderful trade deal with the EU and a wonderful opportunity to negotiate wonderful new trade deals with other countries including our wonderful ally the US and its wonderful President. The future will be wonderful under our wonderful, lovable, personable new PM and we will all be wonderfully happier, freer and better off".Only the first sentence above is true.

John Hawkes ● 2568d

"a wonderful opportunity to negotiate wonderful new trade deals with other countries including our wonderful ally the US and its wonderful President". Or perhaps not !!

John Hawkes ● 2567d

John Hawkes, please could you give the source of this quotation. Thanks

Jane Carter ● 2567d

John, Nick Guilford helpfully posted a statement made when he was selected:“On his selection Will said:“It means so much to me to be given this chance to represent our home. Wandsworth is where I grew up, got my first job and still live today. I am delighted to have been chosen by the local membership to stand at the next General Election for Putney, a place I love so much. Putney, Southfields and Roehampton need an MP who will champion them in a way that leaves no one behind. As a Wandsworth Councillor, I have spent the last 5 years delivering extra funding for schools and regeneration in Putney and protecting us from bad development. I am looking forward to using my experience working for the Foreign Office to ensure that Brexit works for the people of Putney. I want to solve our transport issues, rejuvenate our high streets and protect the environment. I have seen amazing changes in Putney, Southfields and Roehampton in the last 30 years but I think the future can be even brighter.”Will lives in Wandsworth, where he grew up, got his first job and met his partner. After university, he worked as an adviser to shops and businesses. For the last six years he worked for the Foreign Office. As a Wandsworth Councillor, he is the Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services and used to be Planning Chairman. He has spent his time at the Council delivering extra funding for schools and regeneration in Putney, Southfields and Roehampton and protecting us from bad development. He spends his spare time running and cycling and with his family and friends.“He may have voted Remain in 2016, but he states clearly here he will support Boris’s Brexit now. No ifs, no buts.Sue: you seem a bit confused. Justine Greening has been clearly anti-Brexit for a long time. She supports a referendum. So why would you vote for her if she had decided to re-run? I was under the impression you support Brexit. I suggest you stick with Trump’s friend Nigel Farage, if he finally decides to field candidates. He’ll tell us later this morning.Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 2567d

'He may have voted Remain in 2016, but he states clearly here he will support Boris’s Brexit now. No ifs, no buts.'Will won't get  wholesale support in Putney then while Fleur Anderson continues to support Remain - she is also a local candidate.  Looks like it will be a  close fight. Meanwhile I wonder if the Lib Dems will throw a spanner in the works?

Lucille Grant ● 2567d

I too would like to know the context in which it was said.I despised JG for lying over her true intentions, dont want to be fooled again.  Newsflash, i know lots of leavers, from all walks of life in Putney.  They keep quiet about it though.

Jenny Featherstone ● 2567d

Yes we need the context and author of the statement that John quotes. Frankly I think it was written tongue in cheek - too many 'wonderfuls' to be sincere.

Jane Carter ● 2567d

The source ?My own imagination and close reading of what Conservative politicians have been saying in general terms and what Cummings will be telling them to say if they don't want to be kneecapped in Downing Street !!

John Hawkes ● 2567d

@Nick 09.18"Sue: you seem a bit confused. Justine Greening has been clearly anti-Brexit for a long time. She supports a referendum. So why would you vote for her if she had decided to re-run? I was under the impression you support Brexit. I suggest you stick with Trump’s friend Nigel Farage, if he finally decides to field candidates. He’ll tell us later this morning."No Nick, I'm not confused at all. I am perfectly aware of Justine's anti-Brexit stance and I am also aware that she is not standing for re-election in the GE.  I think you are getting confused about me getting confused,😸please read my post to Michael yesterday @14.55. As Justine is not standing for the Conservatives I have not yet decided who I will vote for. Thanks for the advice though.

Sue Hammond ● 2567d

There were 3 candidates and regardless of what any of them did in the referendum, all 3's current position was to support Brexit, Boris, his deal and the Party line. The winner was the most personable, but still ball-less.It is completely impossible for the LibDems to win Putney this time round, given the past voting figures. The only possible way of unseating the Tories in Putney is for Labour to win. Swings are never that large. Even if I were a LibDem, wanting a change for the seat, I would vote Labour.Now actually I am not a LibDem, but right wing. However, I have no fear of a Corbyn government. Again, there is no possibility of Labour gaining suffcient votes to be a a majority - swings are never that large. A hung Parliament or minority government is the best I can hope for.Once Brexit is out of the way, one way or another, I can start to vote according to my natural politics again

Michael Winstanley ● 2567d