A FORMER Financial Times journalist is on the shortlist to be a Conservative candidate in the General Election, according to reports by Politico.
Sebastian Payne put himself forward to be the Tory candidate for Selby and Ainsty in Yorkshire and has made the shortlist.
The journalist was previously the Whitehall editor at the Financial Times, where he also held the position of political leader writer and digital opinion editor since 2016.
Before he joined the Financial Times, he was a reporter and editor at The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph. In 2019, he was names as one of the most influential journalists by the Evening Standard.
READ MORE: Who is Nick Cohen? The former Observer columnist in harassment probe
Current poll predictions for the seat held by outgoing MP Nigel Adams show Payne would likely enter the House of Commons if he wins the nomination.
Payne, from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, is currently director of the right-wing think tank Onward, that “relies entirely on philanthropic donations” to fund their research.
The think tank claims to develop “bold and practical ideas for the next generation of centre right thinkers and leaders”.
It is understood that Payne has long held political ambitions – despite his previous denials to journalists who questioned him about running on under the Conservative banner.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel