![Adam Afriyie: The man who would be…PM [1.5217391304348]](http://www.obv.org.uk/sites/default/files/imagecache/350x230/images/Adam-Afriyie-3.jpg)
Adam Afriyie: The man who would be…PM
Forget about UKIP leader Nigel Farage, or even the darling of the Conservative Right, Mayor Boris Johnson, it is the Conservative’s first MP of African descent Adam Afriyie, who has been tipped by conspirators to topple David Cameron.
Whether or not this is wild speculation or a serious manoeuvre to dislodge the PM, one thing is for sure it is the first time in British history that a Black person has been talked about as Prime Minister in this way.
There are a number of factors at play here: Rupert Murdoch now hates Cameron; The Leverson Inquiry has at least in the short term dented Murdoch's reputation, and he clearly blames the PM. It is no surprise that Murdoch’s new best political friend is now Boris Johnson. The European question has the potential to once again split the Conservatives. This coupled with the UK entering a triple dip recession invariable leaves the PM vulnerable to attack.
Who then might appeal to disaffected Tories? Adam Afriyie.
In many ways Afriyie, not unlike Margret Thatcher appeals right across the Tory spectrum. Like Thatcher, he’s not from the Eton/Oxbridge elite. His story from a Peckham council estate to a reported 100 million fortune is even more dramatic than her ‘shop keeper’s daughter’ narrative. The quintessential Conservative story of hard work, entrepreneurial spirit and endeavor is wonderfully told through the prism of Adam Afriyie. The fact that he happens to be Black too just adds another dimension to the tale.
Right now, his aides are testing the political water. They can be pleased with the response so far. There are few that have a mean word to say about Afriyie, which might be in his favor, but it also may be detrimental to him in the medium term too.
Yes, people like Afriyie. He particularly stood out as one of the wealthy who unofficially declared that affluent MPs should not be claiming expenses, unlike his duck moat colleague. But what does Afriyie stand for? Can he appeal beyond the Tory heartland?
One thing is for sure Afriyie has, in one audacious swoop, moved the Party dramatically forward: In a frenzied 24hr conversation about who might be the next Conservative Leader and Prime Minister, Adam’s colour/ race seems, if anything, to be an advantage not a detriment.
Did I just write that?
Simon Woolley
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Interesting point for you, he
Interesting point for you, he shares the same birthday as Barack Hussain Obama!
Adam Afriyie Black?
As a black constituient living in the ward of Windsor where Mr Afriyie is MP, I surely hope not. Black is more than the colour of ones skin, its the content of one's heart and embracing your cultural identity. Toyin Agebutu the Director of Ligali wrote a piece on this, asking who this man with african ancestry really is. Based upon my personal experience with him and sharing those of some of his other constituients, as a black voter, I would use my vote to vote UKIP or BNP then lend my vote in support of this man. I was outraged by his conduct as my MP and would shiver in my shoes if this man was PM. Lets talk about more creditable black options, are there any?
Wild Stab In The Dark.
"Can he appeal beyond the Tory heartland?"
No chance. The Labour Party - darling of Minority Ethnic Citizens - has only one Black man in its Shadow Cabinet. The Conservative led coalition has no Minority Ethnic citizen in the current Cabinet. Hoping for Adam Afriyie to be the Conservative Party leader is a wild stab in the dark.
Unfortunately, race plays a major issue in British politics. The United Kingdom is not ready for such a massive change yet. Adam can have a go at it, but, experience and gut instinct tells me he would never get to be the leader of the Conservative Party.
Afriyie, PM? Why not..?
And too think I was suggesting not too many months ago that he should be made Chair after Warsi was gone...looks like I should have aimed higher in my estimation of him!