The embattled Reigate MP Crispin Blunt has written to Tory colleagues, on Commons headed paper, begging for support in his reselection bid:

Dear
 
Reigate reselection
 
You will be aware that my re-adoption as the Parliamentary Candidate for Reigate will now be decided by a ballot of Association members.  Since this has been necessitated by the executive council declining my request, I need to clearly establish with local Conservative members my merits both as their local MP and as an effective member of the House of Commons in both the Party’s and the country’s interests.
 
Plainly this case can be best made by those who have seen my work first hand and the local case is being made locally.  But my parliamentary colleagues are best placed to judge my work here and I hope you take a positive view of it.  If so please could you take a few minutes to register a brief statement of support and any personal endorsement you think appropriate.
 
All statements of support are being collated for me on a facebook page, “Support Crispin Blunt for Reigate 2015” or can be registered on my website www.blunt4reigate.com or by replying to this and my team will post your message.
 
I will hugely appreciate your support and hope to have registered all support by 18th October, which can then be drawn upon for the brief address I am able to make to the members that accompanies the ballot.
 
However I am acutely conscious it is not just my fate at stake with this vote.  Given the circumstances our opponents and the media will with enthusiasm point out the implicit mindset of Conservative members if I lose.  This will materially damage our Party’s reputation and future national vote share.  So I hope you could go one further and also ask your supporters to register their support as well so the overall message to the Conservatives of Reigate before they decide is crystal clear.
 
Yours Ever
 
Crispin Blunt MP

It’s all for the good of the party, obviously.

UPDATE: The letter is working. Suddenly Jonathan Djanogly, Bob Stewart, Graham Stuart have all written nice things about Blunt.