How much of a rebel and how ‘progressive’ is the wealthy Richmond Park MP who looks certain to become the Conservatives’ 2016 London mayoral candidate?
There was a bit of fraternal biffing during a recent Conservative mayoral candidate debate approximately who and what a “proper Tory” is. The subtext,real or superimposed, appeared to be that Zac Goldsmith, and MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston and hot favourite to be announced the contest’s winner later this week,might not be worthy of that description. It raised consuming questions approximately precisely what makes a Tory a proper one and whether failing to meet the criteria for properness will help or hinder Goldsmith in his quest to win City Hall.
It’s become almost a cliche to say that Goldsmith is a backbench rebel, largely on the grounds that he’s opposed his party leadership over the issue of expanding Heathrow airport. Goldsmith himself seems to subscribe to the conventional view that being publicly at odds with your Westminster top brass is a prerequisite for mayoral election success. Throughout the candidate campaign he has routinely asserted that he’s a politician of campaigning spirit and independent intellect.
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Source: theguardian.com