Bob Shaw: it's not about cojones, it's about hypocrisy, stupid...

I read Bob's recent conspiracy theory about the Crewe and Nantwich by-election candidate selection with some interest, as the only member of the English Candidates Committee who blogs.

Now I'm not a perpetual defender of the processes of the Party, although I'm perfectly happy to debate why things are done the way they are. On the other hand, it disturbs me when the 'system' is attacked without any factual basis for doing so other than ill-informed accusation.

Marc Goodwin is unhappy, perhaps justifiably, that he wasn't shortlisted for the selection of our by-election candidate, despite having already having been selected as the PPC for the next General Election for the seat. I don't know Marc, have no idea how capable he is, although he will have made it through a development day, indicating that he has met the standards required for approval.

He has made the assumption that he was not shortlisted for reasons of political correctness, although on what basis he reaches that conclusion only he can tell. He certainly hasn't, to date, indicated any evidence other than his own supposition. Now, Bob has jumped in to support him, as this clearly fits with Bob's conspiracy theorist view of the world whereby anyone who disagrees with him must be a fool to be ridiculed or a Cowley Street plant. He hasn't suggested that we are part of an alien, reptilian conspiracy, but I'm sure that, in time, we will be denounced as such.

Normally, such foolishness is best ignored, but one thing that really annoys me is hypocrisy. And like so many self-declared 'beacons of truth', Bob likes the bully pulpit. He tends not to like it when people have a go back (plus ca change...). And so, when confronted with a number of responses contrary to his position, instead of accepting that he might be wrong, he changes his argument, on this occasion stating that he would have made the same point regardless of whether or not a woman had been selected.

Not read your original piece, Bob? Not even the title? What an idiot! However, given the number of times he talks about balls, it's a pity that instead of having any attached, he has to just talk them instead...