After a lighter Bank Holiday service, we’re back to the detailed process of covering the ongoing candidate selection processes in Conservative-held and target seats. Paul has just revealed the final three on the Isle of Wight shortlist, and I’m now able to reveal the three candidates shortlisted for tonight’s selection in Southampton Test (Labour majority 3,810):
Candidate imposed in Bridgend
After the local association voted to reject both of the candidates shortlisted for them by CCHQ, I’m told that the central Party has imposed one of them as the General Election candidate:
While I gather that in Newport West activists are mostly reconciled to the imposition of Angela Jones Evans, here there appear to be deeper rifts over the decision. The South West Wales Conservative Chairman, and the Conservatives’ only Bridgend councillor, have both expressed their frustration over the decision to the BBC today.
Selecting tonight
Chichester (Conservative majority 24,413): Partial shortlist and candidate biographies here.
Northampton South (Conservative majority 3,793): Vacated by David Mackintosh last week, shortlisting apparently took place today – though the shortlist is yet to be revealed.
Saffron Walden (Conservative majority 24,991): Shortlist and candidate biographies here.
Southampton Test (Labour majority 3,810): Shortlist and candidate biographies above.
Stockton North (Labour majority 8,367)
Walsall North (Labour majority 1,937)
Walsall South (Labour majority 6,007)
Norwich South (Labour majority 7,654)
West Bromwich West (UKIP in second place in 2015, Conservatives third)
Wirral South (Labour majority 4,599)