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Conservative leader Richard Haldane is under pressure from within his party after a “car crash” interview in which one of his aides took issue with the line of questioning.
Mr Holden has faced criticism for being elected in the safe Conservative constituency of Basildon and Billericay, about 300 miles from his previous constituency of North West Durham, which was abolished under the new electoral divisions.
The local Conservative Association reacted angrily to his nomination as the only candidate just hours before the deadline for candidate registration.
The Prime Minister is facing fresh pressure from within his party after, in an interview on Sunday, he appeared to avoid questions about the selection while his aides contradicted the interviewer, with Conservative sources saying his position is “untenable” and describing him as “an embarrassment to the Conservative party”.
Pressed repeatedly by broadcasters how he would justify being “parachuted into a safe seat”, Mr Holden referred instead to comments made by shadow justice secretary Emily Thornberry, who appeared to suggest class sizes could rise as a result of the party’s plans to add VAT to private school tuition fees.
“This interview is in relation to comments made today by Emily Thornberry, who acknowledged that children across the country will be the ones paying the price for Labour’s decision to impose a tax on private schools if they come to power,” Mr Holden said.
“I think this is a terrible price to pay for Labour’s ideological adherence,” he added.
Pressed about his selection, Holden said he had “already answered these questions” in previous interviews before members of his team asked interviewers about them.
At one point the aide said, “If this goes in that direction, we’ll just walk away,” before adding that the issue of Holden’s selection was “not what we came here to discuss today.”
One Conservative source said: I “Such shocking interviews are rare,” he said, warning that “few in the party believe he has a future.”
“He may be the worst party leader we’ve had in years. There have been plenty of worst leaders before,” they added.
After the interview, one Conservative candidate told Sky News: “He’s putting himself above the candidates. He shows utter contempt for party members.”
“The only reason this fool is not involved in this disastrous election is because no one thinks he is competent, capable or trustworthy enough to be involved in the day-to-day decision-making of this campaign.
He added: “There’s an ongoing joke among candidates that they hope Labour wins in Basildon and Billericay.”
A former Conservative MP also told Channel 4 News that Mr Holden’s position as leader was “untenable”, adding that “many candidates and volunteers are very unhappy about having someone like this leading our party”.
“He appears to lack basic morals and principles and presents a terrible image for our party. He will never be forgiven for the way candidates are selected, particularly what happened in the Basildon election.”
Another former MP told the broadcaster: “This snake has been found slithering around Westminster again, but rather than speaking out. [and] “Many of us will be praying for his downfall on the Fourth of July,” he added.
Members of the newly formed Conservative Party have also been critical of their leader.
Cllr Andrew Baggott, leader of Basildon Council’s Conservative group and chairman of the local association, said: The Daily Telegraph He said he was “deeply upset” by the selection process.
“This has cost us,” he added. “I think the public is looking for an excuse to turn to reform, but the prime minister and his Normandy shenanigans have done absolutely no good.”
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