St Albans Tory association's chairman rallies support for MP's de-selection (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

St Albans Tory association's chairman rallies support for MP's de-selection

9:48am Tuesday 11th August 2009 in News By Alexandra Barham

St Albans Conservative Association's deputy chairman Matt Peck has sent a letter to members today in a bid to rally support for Anne Main's de-selection.

Chairman Seema Kennedy and her two deputies, Matt Peck and Mary Zambra, asked Mrs Main to step down, and have now called a meeting of the local party's 300 members on Thursday evening to vote on her de-selection.

But an opposing faction is backing the MP and trying to remove Mrs Kennedy and Mr Peck from their posts.

Members have called a meeting on the same night to discuss termination of both their memberships.

A letter sent to all of the association's members today by Mr Peck attempts to explain the reasons behind his and Mrs Kennedy's actions.

The letter reads: "The initial actions to de-select Anne Main were as a direct result of information about poll data obtained by Central Office informing us that our seat is likely to be lost to the Liberal Democrats, with a significant contributing factor being the public's perception of Anne Main's expenses claims.

"Having heard Anne Main's explanation of her expenses claims at the meeting we held prior to the County and European Elections, we were satisfied as to the proportionality of Anne's expenses.

"We were not told at this meeting that there was a more fundamental question as to the legality of such claims.

"The Conservative Party's internal Parliamentary investigation agreed with Anne as to the proportionality of Anne's expenses claims, but made no comment as to their legality.

"Indeed in David Cameron’s letter to the Association, the party leader points out that Anne is under investigation for the legality of her claims, having been found only innocent (mostly) as to proportionality, but not yet investigated as to the legality of claiming for a second home only 13 miles away from the border of her constituency.

"It is now seems clear that Anne has breached the parliamentary rules on a numbers of counts and that I cannot see how the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner can do anything other than find her guilty on breaching the rules on expenses.

"We have already experienced the publics' wrath during the County Council elections, and I believe we can expect more of the same when it comes to a general election, especially when our clearer understanding of the parliamentary rules is understood by the public at large.

"Until this matter is resolved Anne’s position and authority is significantly weakened and is in effect a 'lame duck' MP, that as we approach the general election every hustings, debate and media report will include the fact she is under investigation.

"If the commissioner finds Anne’s claims as in breach of the rules, we will then have a much bigger problem and probably have to go through this process again."

"The Liberal Democrats will be very aware of this issue as we approach the election, they will play it entirely to their advantage and be able to pull over a disproportionately large share of the collapsing Labour vote."

Giles Kenningham, spokesman for Tory Headquarters, said: "This is a matter for the local association." The meeting will be held at the constituency branch in The Saints Pastoral Centre, Shenley Lane, London Colney, at 7.30pm on Thursday, August 13.