Ever since the vote to de-select Andrew Turner by the Executive of the Isle of Wight Conservative Association at the end of January, we’ve heard various rumours as to how many votes Andrew survived as election candidate by.
They’ve had to remain as rumours as Party rules state that the actual number of votes was, and had to remain, secret.
Number of votes only know by three people
The count was known only by three people – two from Conservative Central Headquarters (CCHQ) and Alan Wells, in his role as Chairman.
The clearest to an official word has just come to light.
While stepping down from his three-year tenure as Chairman of the Isle of Wight Conservatives, Alan Wells gave a departing speech last Saturday (14th March) containing a number of references to the vote.
“The narrowest possible margin”
By using the words “the narrowest possible margin”, the Wells speech gives the strongest possible hint that Andrew Turner only survived by a single vote.
Image: Screen grab from parliamentlive.tv coverage of 13 October 2014 debate
