A supporter of Tory leadership candidate
David Cameron nails his colours to the mast.
Photograph: Martin ArglesSad to report, but one member of the Conservative party in Reading appears to be flogging his leadership ballot on eBay.
Regrettable though this might seem - jon_the_pom describes himself as a "floating voter, hence need advice" and misspells the surnames of both candidates - it is, from a microeconomic point of view, quite fascinating.
Economists have described the auction site as the closest thing to a perfect market that humans have yet produced. (The fact that a bottle of Ken Clarke water attracted negligible interest earlier today surely proves this amply.)
There's a decent case for arguing that the election of the Tory leader should be carried out by the people who care most about the result and will pay for the privilege of influencing it.
Come to think of it, why not sell all the Tory leadership ballots on eBay? Not only would it raise plenty of income for the party, but it would lower the average age of the electorate substantially. Votes for cash would be the ultimate free-market gesture for Tories who believe private investment can improve public institutions.
The current price is £5.02, and bidding closes at half past midnight. Bid early, bid often.
