The Main Chance
by Graham Davies

I don't know all the details of the allegations against Anne Main. This is something I have in common with most of the people who have been bleating about her over the last few days.

At a Special General Meeting of St Albans Conservative Association, she defeated the motion to de-select her by 140 votes to 20...a margin which would have been considered impressive in even Zimbabwe and Iran.

But no matter how much she may have been illicitly snorting from the Westminster Expenses Trough, there was nothing iffy about about the vote. It is quite clear that the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the association (her main protaganists) were complete amateurs. They had done nothing to assess the level of support they had for their decapitation attempt. And their efforts to mobilise their own side were horribly inadequate.

On the other hand, Main had galvanised her natural core followers more effectively than a Saga Rep on speed. When the result was announced, everyone thumped their wheelchairs and rattled their zimmer frames with delight.

She may like her expenses too much. But her opponents should remember that she also likes a fight.