The Leader of the House of Commons should be wary of writing off a system that, apart from a few high-profile cases, hasn’t done too badly.
Both seats were Conservative very recently – and, in North Shropshire’s case, within the last year.
Those being assessed will also take two further tests online. A psychometric test based on the Hogan Assessment process and a situational judgement test.
These are the first seats to have opened applications for candidate selection ahead of the next general election.
Most importantly, remember this. Keep going through all the disappointments. It is the most interesting job you are ever going to have.
Don’t assume that it will necessarily happen only after the boundary review has come into effect.
I don’t myself – but had a chance to squint this week at the hurdles one might have to jump to get on the Party’s candidates’ list.
We would invite Lord Herbert to meet some of the women’s groups, parents, gay and lesbian people, and sportswomen whose views differ from his.
He was running against Olivia Seccombe, from the National Farmers’ Union, and Nikki da Costa, Downing Street’s Director of Legislative Affairs.
In the wake of International Women’s Day, the second article in a five-piece series on ConservativeHome this week.
Instead of those with a background in business or blue collar jobs we have special advisers and lobbyists. Or those chosen to fill a quota.
The co-Party Chairman says next year’s local elections will definitely go ahead, and won’t give a figure for Party membership.
CCHQ has taken over the candidates process, and is keen for Tories with strong Welsh links to apply to fight next year’s Cardiff Bay election.
Unfortunately it looks as if the Party has returned to the ‘feast and famine’ approach to staffing, which prevents the long-term development of expertise.
The Class of 2019 makes up 29 per cent of the Parliamentary Conservative Party.