CCHQ has just announce that Cllr James Daly, a criminal defence solicitor, has been selected to fight the Oldham West and Royton by-election.
Daly has been a councillor in Bury since 2012, and now serves as Deputy Leader of the Conservative group there. He is also a governor of two schools.
In terms of electoral experience, he contested Bolton North East in May. In January, he told the Bolton News that he intends to vote to leave the EU in the forthcoming referendum.
On his selection, he said:
“I feel incredibly lucky to have been selected this evening. I intend to stand up for the hardworking people of Oldham West and Royton on the issues that matter to them, and I know how to fight to get their voices heard. I will campaign tirelessly as the Conservative candidate here.”
“I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Michael Meacher, a dedicated parliamentarian who worked hard for many years for his constituents. I hope to follow in the example he set.”
ConservativeHome wishes him every success in the by-election.
In the General Election, the Conservative candidate in Oldham West was pushed into third place by a surging UKIP – and the purple peril are reported to be planning a major offensive in the seat over the next few weeks.