Archie Wilson - Writer
Profile – St. Albans MP Anne Main
[Written for the politics blog on Catch21]
With the election rapidly approaching it seems appropriate to look at who we have had representing us and how they have faired. For St. Albans, Conservative backbencher Anne Main has been MP for the last two parliaments. Welsh born, Main seems to encompass something of traditional Tory ideology, liberal economic policy and conservative social views. Born from humble beginnings Main studied at Swansea University before gaining a postgraduate degree in education at Sheffield Uni. She went on to become a teacher at an inner London comprehensive before starting her political career as town councillor in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. She was first elected MP for St. Albans in 2005 (with 37.3% of the vote) and was re-elected in 2010 with a stronger margin of 40.8%.
This margin was not easily won however. St. Albans has been a marginal constituency since boundary changes in 1992. Furthermore, Main was highlighted in the 2009 expenses scandal after claiming expenses for a second home that was further from Westminster than St. Albans. It was also found her daughter had been living in her St. Albans flat rent free almost as long as Main had been an MP. This seems to have sparked an attempted in-house coup that saw her face a deselection vote. Main still won this vote overwhelmingly with 140 votes to 20. The set back could have done huge damage to her candidacy but despite this, and a low-key campaign, she managed to hold her seat. It must be noted that this may not be down to support for her but the collapse of the Labour vote. The memory of her expenses still hangs heavy over St. Albans, and the vote may not be so forgiving this time around.
On her website Main promises ‘There is no important local issue that I have not been involved with’. There are those that feel she fulfils this claim, she is very vocal about environmental issues and those concerning the green belt. She often speaks on constituent complaints and has been critical of the secrecy of TTIP. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership has caused controversy in the news recently not so much for its content, but for the secrecy it has been conducted in. The deal, which would see greater free trade between the UK and US would seem to be in line with Main’s ideology. It is reassuring to democracy then that her objection is to the exclusion of public discussion and the EU’s management of it. Despite her commitment on economic issues many, especially of the younger generations, see her as out of touch with modern day social issues. Her mid-eighties politics of less government intervention in people’s homes and wallets does not extend to the bedroom. She has been in the minority for nearly every vote concerning homosexual rights and whilst being against benefit increases and NHS spending, strongly supports military spending. Main’s old-fashioned ideology, which may be positive with some voters, is alienating to others. Her lack of coherence in voting, with some liberal and some conservative beliefs makes her hard to categorise. For voters this can be off putting, as they cannot be sure how her votes will fall.
Her perilous position in a marginal seat is also questionable. Why the Conservatives continue to support her is confusing, her deselection vote does suggest a strong supporters army in the local association but she does not appear to belong to a clear grouping in Westminster. Her campaigning is very moderate and whilst she may appear in Westminster regularly she is more than often absent in the constituency. Her main rivals in the last election, the Lib Dems, are famously passionate about their bright, orange campaigning but their catastrophe in the coalition has likely squashed any chance they have this time around. Despite this, this year looks set to be tougher yet for Main. The previous popular local Labour MP Kerry Pollard has confirmed his return to the candidacy and the potential rise of both the Greens and UKIP will risk a split of the traditional vote. It will be interesting how the two ‘radical’ parties will affect the vote; the Green party are likely to take a portion from the Lib Dems; UKIP’s candidate, Chris Wright, is a political newcomer and whilst an ex-British Army officer does not seem to put up much of a fight. How much of the vote will be taken from the Conservatives by UKIP and the Green Party is unclear but it would not be surprising if the split actually benefits Main. The battle looks set to be between Main and Pollard but neither has displayed a strong campaign as of yet. With polls showing them neck and neck it will be interesting to see their attempts at garnering public support in the next two and half months.
If modern politicians were reviewed on their strength of character and honesty of voting Main could be a prize backbencher. As it is, the next election is likely to have a close scrutiny of policy. Main’s individualist manner may be commendable but it also suggests an arrogance towards those who have voted for her. She has done little to amend her folly in the expenses scandal, which still blights her in voter’s eyes and her lack of appearances makes her seem distant from her constituents. This is inexcusable given St. Albans’s proximity to London and the importance of marginal seats this year. Her conservative yet rebellious approach to her own party potentially isolates her further. With the current public nature towards novel parties and more voting options, unless she shows her care for locals I think they may like a change of MP. The vote might go her way but only because it is so split between the other parties.