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Why would the father of Tory MP Priti Patel want to stand for Ukip? Why would the father of Tory MP Priti Patel want to stand for Ukip?
(5 months later)
Name: Sushil Patel.Name: Sushil Patel.
Age: 64.Age: 64.
Appearance: Vaguely familiar.Appearance: Vaguely familiar.
He is, isn't he? Where have I seen him before? Nowhere, unless you're one of his neighbours in Hertfordshire. But his daughter looks quite like him.He is, isn't he? Where have I seen him before? Nowhere, unless you're one of his neighbours in Hertfordshire. But his daughter looks quite like him.
And would I have seen her? Quite possibly. She is Priti Patel, Conservative MP for Witham.And would I have seen her? Quite possibly. She is Priti Patel, Conservative MP for Witham.
That's it! So, why is he in the news? Has he given a heartfelt speech expressing his immense pride in his daughter and supporting her party in Thursday's local elections? Not exactly. He has announced that he is standing as a candidate.That's it! So, why is he in the news? Has he given a heartfelt speech expressing his immense pride in his daughter and supporting her party in Thursday's local elections? Not exactly. He has announced that he is standing as a candidate.
Well, that's support of a kind, isn't it? Except that he is not standing for the Tories. He is standing for Ukip.Well, that's support of a kind, isn't it? Except that he is not standing for the Tories. He is standing for Ukip.
I'm sorry. I thought for a moment you said Ukip. I did.I'm sorry. I thought for a moment you said Ukip. I did.
How … unexpected. You mean because of the suddenness and short notice of the announcement?How … unexpected. You mean because of the suddenness and short notice of the announcement?
Yes. Partly. And because of the hostilities between the Conservatives and Ukip, since the latter seems to be successfully wooing potential voters from the former?Yes. Partly. And because of the hostilities between the Conservatives and Ukip, since the latter seems to be successfully wooing potential voters from the former?
Yes. I am very much enjoying watching the Conservatives panic at the possible loss of votes they apparently consider a virtual birthright. It is fun, isn't it, how none of them saw it coming?Yes. I am very much enjoying watching the Conservatives panic at the possible loss of votes they apparently consider a virtual birthright. It is fun, isn't it, how none of them saw it coming?
I know. Who would have thought that after three years of watching their leader distance himself from them, an entire demographic might eventually turn round and say: "You don't want us, you're not giving us what we want – we don't want you." As great mysteries go, 'tis neither great nor mysterious.I know. Who would have thought that after three years of watching their leader distance himself from them, an entire demographic might eventually turn round and say: "You don't want us, you're not giving us what we want – we don't want you." As great mysteries go, 'tis neither great nor mysterious.
So, Mr P is going to stand for Ukip? At the time of going to press, yes. He reportedly withdrew his candidacy, after a phone call from an unknown source, blaming recent surgery. But then 90 minutes later Ukip confirmed that he was standing.So, Mr P is going to stand for Ukip? At the time of going to press, yes. He reportedly withdrew his candidacy, after a phone call from an unknown source, blaming recent surgery. But then 90 minutes later Ukip confirmed that he was standing.
Either way, I would pay to be a fly on the wall at the Patels' next family dinner, that's for sure.Either way, I would pay to be a fly on the wall at the Patels' next family dinner, that's for sure.
Do say: As Priti Patel did: "He is still my dad and I still love him. Nothing will change that, not even Ukip."Do say: As Priti Patel did: "He is still my dad and I still love him. Nothing will change that, not even Ukip."
Don't say: "Da-aaad, shuddup, you are embarrassing meeeee!"Don't say: "Da-aaad, shuddup, you are embarrassing meeeee!"
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