Aug
17
Patrick and ABB - The Interview
Filed Under ABB, Patrick Sullivan
Sorry I haven’t put this up sooner, I’ve had an odd few days.
So, the interview was a last minute plan and done in a very informal way over dinner with Anastasia and Patrick before a few more drinks after. I wanted to do it in the aftermath of what was a pretty awful week for Anastasia from the internet blogs and following great speculation about the next CF Chairman elections. We are also coming up to conference and there has been great talk of CF reforms (these hadn’t been leaked at the time of interview but I intend to write a great deal on my feelings towards these ideas as the story unfolds…) so I thought perhaps now is the time to chat to two of the more prominent NME members about their feelings right now regarding these issues:
I’d first like to set the scene for this so some of the more obscure details make a little more sense; the entire night was a spontaneous idea I had to try and cheer Anastasia up a little after a bloody awful week so I forced her up to London and the 3 of us went for a combination of oysters, steak and (accidental) lobster with a fair few glasses of wine. I wanted a positive interview that wasn’t too intense or cutting to try and show some of the CF positivity I support. I’ve written countless times about how I feel regarding the nasty side of our little politics club and just how hideous and pointless I think it is - it takes away from our goal and the real work (campaigning at local levels) we are here to do whilst putting dedicated people off, making the whole of CF look like a bunch of squabbling children and generally causing unwanted havoc.
Finally, I apologise if at times this doesn’t make complete sense. I’m translating from very hastily taken notes after a massively emotional morning today and consequently am feeling a little insane.
I’d like to start with the FT piece that was finally printed on August 4th. It has received very mixed reviews, some supportive and some awful; as two of the four CF members referred to particularly what are your feelings regarding the article now and how it has been received by CF as a whole?
ABB: There was definitely room for improvement and is an example of why CF needs funded press training from CCHQ.
P: I can only agree. If we are allowed to handle the press then we should receive some form of training. And I don’t think I’m rotund!
Anastasia, a lot of emphasis was given to your personal life rather than your work within the party. How do you feel about this and do you think you may live to regret being so open?
ABB: I can hardly complain about Rob Blackhurst saying I was bisexual. I’m the founder and director of LGBTory, people knowing about my sexuality is all part of the package. I have always been very open about my personal life and what I have been through as it is the reason I’m in politics - I don’t want anyone else to go through what I did because of homophobia. I could either stand up and say “No” to homophobia and then sit back down, or I could stand up, say “No” to homophobia and then take my experiences from life and use them to show people you don’t have to tolerate homophobia. Whether I live to regret it or not, if I can show people that LGBTory is genuine and show people that the Conservative party is the voice of change that can stamp out homophobia, then I believe I will have done what I have set out to do with LGBTory.
Patrick, on a similarly personal note you said at the Manchester hustings that you were not running for the NME to pick up girls? Is this still the case?
P: (laughs) That’s a pointed question! I’m in this for the good of the party not for girls – but I’ve found that “I’m national campaigns director” is a great chat up line!
On a more serious note, with the recent surge of activity on internet blogs such as Tory Bear and tBg, where do you both stand on the issue of freedom of speech versus moderation of comments?
ABB: There’s a difference between freedom of speech and libellous comments. I always believe freedom is only true when it doesn’t harm the freedom of others.
ME: Patrick, considering your open love for Hayek, I would presume you agree with this notion of negative freedom?
P: I do. Freedom is important however it must be ensured that malicious and untrue rumours are not perpetuated.
ABB: I think bloggers should note the defamation act! There’s a difference between insulting and slanderous. It is also bad for the image of CF because the blogs can be seen by anyone.
P: There is a line and bloggers must be responsible. Like Tory Bear has become.
And Anastasia are you sick of being talked about on these blogs? Especially considering some of the content?
ABB: Yes!
There has also been a great deal of speculation regarding the next CF elections. Do you think it’s too early at just 5 months into the current NME’s term for this?
ABB: Yes, I think it is a little. I would also like to reiterate I will not be running!
P: It’s never too early to think but this time in the last cycle I’d never heard of Rock or Daryl who came 1st and 2nd. You can judge from recent elections that it is possible the next chairman is currently unknown; alternatively, it could be someone already very much involved.
Do you think conference will show new potential candidates coming out of the woodwork? If so, would you like to speculate who?
P: I hear Tory Bear might stand or potentially some of my NME colleagues. I hear Richard Jackson is offering free towels for votes!
(I’d like to add that at this point Anastasia asks whether her lobster died in pain – a new minister for animal welfare?)
Anastasia, I hear from a reliable source you are actually ginger. Is this true?
ABB: (giggles slightly crazily) No I am not ginger!
And with this our very, very informal interview ends!
What?!?! No mention of the lovely Justin? Pfft.
Great interview