ToryBoy The Movie
| ToryBoy The Movie | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | John Walsh |
Production company | Walsh Bros |
| Distributed by | Fremantle Media 3DD Productions |
Release date | May 11, 2011 |
Running time | 100 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
ToryBoy The Movie is a British documentary feature film directed by and starring John Walsh. It follows Walsh as he becomes a political candidate for the Conservative Party in the north east England constituency of Middlesbrough. A staunch Labour Party support all his life, Walsh had become disillusioned with the party. When David Cameron opened the door to allow non party members to run for the Conservative candidacy ahead of the 2010 General Election,[1] John Walsh decided to do just that and document his experiences on camera. His film made the case that Stuart Bell should not be the Member of Parliament (MP) of Middlesbrough. As part of his campaign, he showed the finished film in a free showing a year after the election.[2] He came in third in the election; Stuart Bell remained the MP of Middelsbrough.[3] but increased the Conservative vote in the to its highest in thirty years with an 18.8% share of the vote.[4]
In the film, Walsh claims that Sir Stuart Bell, the Labour Party's MP in Middlesbrough, is absent so often from Middlesbrough that he is an unsuitable candidate. According to Richard Moss, a BBC film critic, "some silliness aside, it is a thought-provoking insight into the way our political system works or doesn't work on the ground." [5]
Awards
In 2011 the film was nominated for the Grierson Awards for "Best Documentary on a Contemporary Theme".[6]
Controversy
The claims made about Sir Stuart Bell became national news with some newspapers suggesting he may be "Britain's Lasiest MP".[7] This lead to further local investigation Neil Macfarlane a report for the Teesside Gazette asked "Are Teessiders getting enough from Sir Stuart Bell?" when he failed to answer over 100 telephone calls made to his consistency office as outlined in the film ToryBoy The Movie.[8] There were calls for Sir Stuart Bell to face formal party disciplinary procedures.[9] The Labour Party decided to have an official investigation into the allegations.[10] Other political public figures joined the debate. Lord Michael Ashcroft “I’d defy anyone with an interest in politics not to enjoy this film”.[11] Sir Stuart Bell did have a right of reply which appeared in the short film ToryBoy The AfterMath.[12] The film's expose nearly forced a By Election.[13]
Re Release
The film received a re-release in cinemas in 2015 in the lead up to the 2015 UK General Election.[14][15]
References
- ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/5377839/David-Cameron-to-open-up-candidate-list-to-everyone.html
- ^ http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/toryboy-movie-documentary-up-award-3691723
- ^ http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-13960870
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/c92.stm
- ^ http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-13960870
- ^ http://www.griersontrust.org/past-awards/grierson-2011/shortlist.html
- ^ http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/no-surgeries-for-14-years--is-sir-stuart-bell-britains-laziest-mp-2350953.html
- ^ http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/teessiders-getting-enough-sir-stuart-3693031
- ^ http://www.theguardian.com/politics/reality-check-with-polly-curtis/2011/sep/08/reality-check-britain-s-laziest-mp
- ^ http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/labour-launches-probe-middlesbrough-mp-3693109
- ^ http://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2012/05/lord-ashcroft-two-years-on-a-controversial-film-gives-a-witty-thought-provoking-snapshot-into-the-ge.html
- ^ http://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2014/05/john-walsh-toryboy-the-aftermath-or-the-town-that-politics-forgot.html
- ^ http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/9028657.Documentary__could_force_by_election_/
- ^ http://www.irishpost.co.uk/entertainment/documentary-that-exposed-labour-scandal-back-in-theatres-ahead-of-election
- ^ http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/11807584.BAFTA_nominated_Greenwich_filmmaker_s_controversial_ToryBoy_returns_to_cinemas_before_election/
