Graeme Wall wrote:
On 05/11/2016 21:32, Recliner wrote:
Roland Perry wrote:
In message
-septe
mber.org, at 17:10:41 on Sat, 5 Nov 2016, Recliner
remarked:

But his chances of becoming an MP are low (Labour only had 12.3%
of the vote last time)

"Slim to none" is a more realistic description.

However, prospective MPs have to "earn their wings" contesting
impossible seats, before being offered a safe seat some years later.

Yes, and by standing, he'll split the pro-Remain vote, thus pretty much
guaranteeing that Zac keeps his seat; otherwise the LDs might have had a
chance of winning the seat back.


Is Goldsmith standing as the official tory candidate or as an independent?

Theoretically the latter, but in effect, both:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-zac-goldsmith-heathrow-by-election-a7380126.html