Hustings

Lee David Evans (2010)

Lee David Evans is a historian of the Conservative Party and the inaugural John Ramsden Fellow at the Mile End Institute, Queen Mary, University of London. His research primarily focuses on the ‘One Nation’ conservative tradition and the Conservative administrations of the 1950s and 1960s. He has recently published articles and provided analysis for the media on Conservative leadership changes, including the controversial 1963 leadership selection when Harold Macmillan was succeeded by Alec Douglas-Home.

For over fifteen years Lee has been active in Conservative Party politics, working for Members of Parliament, organising parliamentary campaigns and holding various roles in the voluntary party. His principal political interests include tackling regional inequality, ensuring every person has access to outstanding educational opportunities (including grammar schools) and preserving the British constitution. Beyond politics, he is the CEO of an education business and a chartered fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

Sandy Walkington (1972)

When asked ‘Who is Sandy Walkington?’ ChatGPT says: ‘Sandy Walkington is a British politician who was a Member of the UK Parliament for St Albans from 1997 to 2005…’  Er no, but he did study economics and law at Trinity Hall and was chair of Cambridge University Liberal Club.  ChatGPT unaccountably leaves out his Nobel Prize for Peace but Sandy’s portfolio career did include roles as Head of Research and speechwriter for Liberal MPs, Manager of International Public Relations for Texaco in New York, Director of Public Affairs at British Telecommunications, Director of General Election Communications for the Liberal Democrats in 2005, and Director of Public Affairs at Transport for London. He never was an MP but had four tries at getting elected for St Albans including getting more votes than Mrs Thatcher in 1983 and coming closer to winning in 2010 than any other Liberal candidate in 100 years.