I heard this morning that I am not on the Conservative Party's 'A' List of candidates for the next election. I can't deny that I'm not disappointed but perhaps not wholly surprised. I'm afraid I shall be disappointing those who will be expecting me to get bitter and twisted about it. I am not going to say anything more, for the moment, because whatever I do say will be interpreted as 'sour grapes' and I really don't want that to happen. Obviously it has given me a lot to think about with regard to my own future in politics. I wish all those who have got onto the 'A' List the very best of luck.
UPDATE: 6.13pm Not all bad news today. I think I may have a ticket for the Cup Final after all. Which would I rather have had - ticket for the Cup Final or being on the A List? Hmmm. Difficult one, that.
UPDATE: 6.20pm I much enjoyed this post from ConservativeHome from someone called Realist: "Sure Iain Dale is a nice guy, but reading all the dedications on his blog about him not getting on, you would think Lady Thatcher had just died." I said to a frined earlier today that having read the comments it feels like I am reading my own obituary! Very touched though.
