Endorsements

National endorsements

Iain Dale is a highly articulate and informed person, with well developed powers of leadership. With his commitment and political acumen he would be an excellent Member of Parliament

— Major General Julian Thompson, Commander of the British Land Forces, Falkland Islands, 1982

Day after day Iain Dale proves that he is exactly what the next parliament needs – a sharp, independent mind, original and robustly Conservative.

— Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

I warn you: he’s horribly focused on winning and single-minded to the point of relentlessness in whatever he makes his cause.

— Matthew Parris

Iain Dale is just what the doctor to the Conservative Party orders: a candidate with a successful track record outside politics.

— Sir Bernard Ingham

He has intelligence, integrity, energy and staying power. . . He is, in every sense, a winner – which is exactly what we need.

— Gyles Brandreth

Iain is just the sort of candidate the party needs to choose if it is serious about getting back into government.

— Rt Hon David Davis MP

Iain is hugely conscientious and willing to work all hours. He is honest, presents well and is one of the most motivated people I know. He works his socks off!

— Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe MP

Iain Dale is nobody’s puppet. He’s a leading Conservative voice because he’s completely independent. In an age of spin, we desperately need politicians who are unafraid to say what they think and not duck the question. He would make a superb MP.

— Louise Bagshawe - Novelist & Conservative Candidate for Corby

I believe no constituency could do better than Iain Dale. From across the pond, this American can attest that Mr. Dale is a man of high character and political intelligence. He will serve you well.

— Daniel Forrester - Political Analyst, Washington DC

Cross-party endorsements

I think he would be a good choice. If the Tories want to reach out to the middle ground whilst also having people with fundamental links to the Thatcher era, a foot in both camps candidate, then Iain is their man… Would I attend an open primary and vote for him. Yes I would. I prefer Lib Dems, but if I couldn’t have a Lib Dem, I think Iain Dale would be a good choice.

— Nich Starling, LibDem supporting Norfolk Blogger

I’ve come to know Iain quite well over the past couple of years and I would count him as a friend. Politically, he’s wrong on just about everything, of course (well, he is a Tory, after all) but I genuinely believe he would be an asset to the Parliamentary Conservative Party if he were to achieve his ambition. This is someone with a significant political achievement to his name; Iain Dale built the template for serious political blogging in the UK and no-one has yet managed to improve on it.

He’s also honest, principled and speaks his mind. And his head certainly wouldn’t be turned by the prospect of front bench responsibilities.

— Tom Harris, Labour MP for Glasgow South

For those who see him purely as a Thatcherite Tory, I would say they are just seeing one facet of the man. In my own experience I have known him to be thoughtful, generous, kind, and helpful to those from other political parties in ways one would not expect. Yes he can be sharp, yes he doesn’t pull his punches when attacking Labour, but neither do many of us towards the Conservatives and he is one of the few who seems to know the distinction between personalities and political allegiances.

— Paul Burgin, Labour blogger

Iain Dale is just the sort of person the House of Commons needs; irrespective of party allegiance, many would agree with that. I would look forward to disagreeing with him on many issues. To his political arguments, Iain would bring his usual courtesy and manners, but also his trademark determination and steel. A true English gentleman my only regret is that he is not a Scottish nationalist.

— Angus MacNeill, SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar