The posts I most enjoy writing are about my antecedents. Bellews have been biggish fish in a small pool, Ireland. In England they would have perhaps had Minor County status but as Catholic landowners they had enough money to have a network of European connections through marriage. It is one reason I identify myself as a European.
You will recall that my ancestors sat in the House of Lords; just three sat in the Commons: Patrick and Montesquieu (brothers) Bellew and “Punch” Bryan. There are now, at least, twenty-one constituencies in need of a Conservative candidate. I put myself forward conscious that I am politically inexperienced. My platform is I am a conservative; I want the party to move back to the centre ground. Although three years ago I voted Remain, I want to take the UK out of the EU by joining the EEA, EFTA or similar. It is a compromise that will protect our jobs and economy – it need not be permanent. It took the UK seven years to harmonise with the much smaller and simpler EU when we joined. It makes sense to make a gradual withdrawal.
I am an unusual candidate in that I do not seek high office. I simply want to bring some sanity to the Conservative party and represent the interests of my constituents as best I can.
Votes for Bellew! Best of Adh mor Eireannach. But what about Bertie?
I have had a communication from Bertie (Lady and the Tramp/101 Dalmatian style).
He is disgruntled by your comment that you most enjoy writing about your antecedents. He is contemplating asking for a Gareth Bale scale transfer.
Christopher,
The Commons is not for you, it has become, well too common. Your impressive oratory would be lost on most members, with perhaps the exception of Jacob Rees Mogg, who may not welcome the competition.
As you enter the Autumn of life you would be much wiser to spend it on the red benches. The boozy, snoozy pattern of Lords life would better suit your indolent constitution, and surely a more sumptuous nursing home would be hard to find? I would very much like to witness Bru’s reaction when he learns there are to be two Lords Bellew.
The commentators above raise a most logical query, viz. Bertie. He must accompany you on your political journey and take his seat in the House beside you. Impossible you cry. Well not if he is a designated assistance dog. Bertie will undergo extensive training to be able to detect when you have had too much to drink, and sound the alarm. He will also be trained to arouse you from slumber when you doze off during an important debate.
It would be interesting to see you seek selection and election in order to be the kind of Tory MP the departure of whom has created the gaps in the parliamentary party which you want to fill.
Am I missing the point when I suggest the sort of Brexit deal you seek is the sort of deal against which most current cabinet members have set their faces? I know nothing about all this of course. I think of it as like the Schlesvig-Holstein debacle or relativity: I can hold its details in my mind fairly well for only five minutes.