Britain’s tallest Tory became the unlikely star of this year’s Conservative Party Conference – even meeting leader Kemi Badenoch after her barnstorming address.
Standing at 7ft 2in, James McAlpine towered over the 5ft 4in Tory leader as she thanked him for being ‘our tallest member’ at the conference in Manchester today.
The 22-year-old Oxford Brookes University student drew extra attention from fellow attendees thanks to his significant stature and even sat near the front for Ms Badenoch’s closing speech.
Mr McAlpine, who has been a Conservative member for four years but was attending his first party conference, said he thought the Tory leader’s speech was ‘fantastic’.
‘She’s got my full support. She’s fantastic, she’s in touch with the young Conservatives, and she’s a brilliant leader,’ he told the Mail.
‘And with the removing of stamp duty, I just think that’s fantastic. Because it’s going to help absolutely everybody, whether you’re buying your first home, buying a new family home and also for the older generations as well who are looking to move somewhere smaller.’
Before pursuing a career in politics, Mr McAlpine, who is earning a BA in business management, wishes to obtain practical experience working in finance in the city.
He said he ‘would love to be’ a Conservative councillor and eventually an MP, adding: ‘I’m not going to say leader just yet.’
If his dreams are realised, Mr McAlpine – whose mother is 6ft 5in and his late father was 6ft 9in – would break the Guinness World Record for the tallest politician.
The present world record holder is US Republican Jon Godfread, who stands at just over 6ft 10in, while the tallest Tory is former MP Daniel Kawczynski, who is 6ft 9in.
Mr McAlpine said he has a ‘love-hate’ relationship with the attention he receives due to his height, but believes it gives him a ‘platform’ to speak up for what he believes in.
‘I don’t adore it, but I also I don’t hate it,’ he said. ‘Because I think it’s given me a voice and I’m able to speak up and represent the Conservative Party.’
Asked whether he receives attention at university from other students for his political views, Mr McAlpine said: ‘It’s mostly been my about my height, never really my political views.
‘But I think when I go back tomorrow, things might change.’
The proud ‘Tory boy’ is a huge horse racing fan and has also become a social media celebrity after partying his way around high society events such as the Cheltenham Festival, where his interviews have lured millions of views.
He said: ‘Labour just want to ban anything that people enjoy doing, starting with the tax on farming, horse racing and the cost of shotgun licencing going up.’
Hopefully, this won’t just be another Tory with his head in the clouds. However, I think there might be high hopes for this fellow, pardon the pun.
And he could always pursue a career in basketball if he doesn’t succeed in politics. He really doesn’t need a platform; he’s already got one, and he certainly looks like he’s on his way up.
However, on a more sober note, being tall, everything must seem so small to him and pose challenges at times, but no doubt he rises above it.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 