Mr Laws, by contrast, is a conspicuously numerate former banker.Thus the appointment exemplifies some familiar syndromes of government: the need, sometimes, to rely on untried youth; the need to barter ministerial posts for the support of rival internal constituencies.
Both he and his Labour rival hold regular constituency surgeries, as do the more active local councillors.A rising national tide for the Tories would most likely get Mr Hollobone elected.
Though Nasheed and the well-organised MDP dominate urban, youthful constituencies, rivals have strong support among older people, much of the business community, religious groups and in the outlying islands which have seen less development in recent years.
Following one of his interviews during the election campaign, a constituency rival in Louth, Ged Nash of the Labour party, issued a searing press release where he said: "This is a man who has to take his shoes off to help him count to 20".
To become an MP, a candidate simply has to win more votes than any rival in their constituency, not a majority of votes cast.
Rival candidates in the constituency may have been bemused but could do little else but claim to be entertained by Murray's move.
The Labour Movement for Europe, a party affiliate chaired by Kinnock, nominated Smith, the MP Pontypridd, by a margin of 10 to 1 this weekend, although Corbyn was far ahead of his rival in nominations from constituency parties, leading Smith by 273 nominations to 51.
They say that Labour just does better because its vote is more effectively distributed, and they conclude: Hopes among Labour's rivals that revising constituency boundaries might level the playing field are very largely misplaced, therefore.
All are from rural constituencies.
Still, the current conflict, viewed through the prism of history, has familiar contours: George W. Bush, like Johnson, a new and untested president; Mr. McCain, like Kennedy, an intraparty rival with an ardent, independent constituency; bitter partisans on both sides; and a press eager for combat between them.
