http://www.rtaylor.co.uk/nick-hillman-conservative-ppc-cambridge.html

I asked what the format of Saturday’s caucus was likely to be and if anyone would be able to ask questions of the candidates. He said he didn’t know, and clearly as a candidate couldn’t seek to influence what happened. I suggested that if the public were able to ask questions it might be worth mentioning that in advance to let people prepare.

Sarah El-Neil also made an appearance, but left well before the end.

http://www.libdemvoice.org/this-months-parliamentary-selections-2-17016.html

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=470137

Thanks for publicising Saturday’s public meeting. I look forward to seeing you - and hopefully lots of others - there. Whatever the outcome, let’s hope it marks a new stage of engagement with local voters.

As you have spotted, I have a blog at http://www.nickhillman.co.uk that describes my activities since being selected as one of the final six. Today’s entry (’Entering the final lap’) includes:

–my meeting with the Parkside Federation
–a stint leafleting Cambridge commuters and
–the sad news about Trinity Street Post Office.

I freely admit that there is plenty more that I have still to learn, but I have always thought politics should be fun and the last few days have been a blast.

See you on Saturday,
Nick

From: Eric Barrett-Payton
Date: 8 December 2009 22:56:44 GMT
To: Richard Taylor
Subject: Selection of Prospective Parliamentary Candidate

This is the formal confirmation that you are registered to attend and vote on Saturday December 12th.

You will need to come to The Guildhall, Market Square, Cambridge, CB2 3QJ in the centre of Cambridge

Please arrive as soon as possible after 9.00 for a 9.30 start.

Once the formal proceedings have commenced, anyone arriving afterwards will not be able to participate.

Please also note that it will be necessary to be present throughout the proceedings, to hear all 6 candidates, for approximately 20/25 minutes each, before the final vote takes place. Anyone who leaves the building will not be permitted to return.

There will be a tea/coffee break of about 15 minutes at the halfway stage at around 11.00

It should be an interesting morning, and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday

Eric Barrett-Payton
Chairman of the Selection Process
Cambridge City Conservative Association

I wonder if there will be a “none of the above” option at the selection meeting?

I read her biography and “make cakes” was the only bit which really stood out to me.

I’ve just read from your website about the “job club” she started in Dorset :

http://www.nickmason.org.uk/?p=197

I don’t think that’s particularly relevant to representing Cambridge. What’s most shocking about your link is the suggestion Jane Gould has recently been elected as a councillor in Shaftesbury.

Quite what election this was I can’t find out; she lost the 2009 election to represent Shaftesbury on North Dorset District Council to a Liberal Democrat. *

I found some other interesting links though:

Jane4Shaftesbury blog, up to last week she was campaigning for Shaftesbuty!
Jane Gould’s “janiebear” Twitter account. “Location Shaftesbury, Dorset, England; Bio Tory activist, co council c’date. would be MP. love to cook, chat & read.

As far as I can see there’s no mention of Cambridge on either the blog or twitter feed.

And I’ve found a picture of one of her cakes :

She is compassionate, hard working, and knows how to win votes from the Lib Dems.

Just my two penn’orth.

It has been suggested that she left the Liberal Democrats, in July 2009, because she opposed the party’s stance on tuition fees.

That isn’t what I wrote. I said - in JANUARY 2009 - that she resigned before the vote on tuition fees policy on the party’s Federal Policy Committee (on which she had recently been elected at the time).

Mr Hillman could have worked at Hills Road Sixth Form College while training to be a teacher, from the scant information he has made available that was one possibility I considered.

Mr Hillman has: ‘worked in local schools, including Hills Road Sixth Form College, so I know the needs of young people and public sector staff. I have lived on King Street, and I cycle, drive and use public transport, so I understand local transport pressures’. Which is slightly more than your ‘He lives in London but has spent time (perhaps as a student?) in Cambridge’ comment would lead us to believe.

He may also get into another unprovoked attack, if he’s less than careful?

Notwithstanding that the Cons in Cambridge are doomed, they’d be better off defending Mr Lansley.