Selection news: Peterborough shortlist revealed, and the first London seats open for candidate applications

Plus: the postponed selection processes in Darlington and Wirral West have been restarted. And: Ryan Henson selected in Bedford.

A candidate shortage strikes Conservative target seats

Numbers applying for target seats are down across the board. At least one Tory association has refused to shortlist, and demanded applications be reopened.

Candidate selection news: Shortlists for Bedford and Bury North

Updated, plus: the results of four recent contests in target seats – Bishop Auckland, Bristol North West, Crewe and Nantwich, and Ipswich.

Hamish McFall: CCHQ’s inquisitorial approach to council candidates risks deterring good people

Sitting councillors and aspirant candidates alike have been irritated and offended by the new process.

Selection news: Shortlist for Bristol North West; Tall selected in Bath

Cllr Mark Weston, Simon Jupp and Kirsty Finlayson compete tonight for a shot at regaining Charlotte Leslie’s former constituency.

Shortlist revealed for tomorrow’s Crewe and Nantwich open primary

Robert Largan and Dr Kieran Mullan will contest the final in the ultra-marginal seat tomorrow. And: Cllr Jack Rankin selected in Warwick and Leamington

Scott Benton selected as Conservative candidate for Blackpool South

He will be seeking to overturn Gordon Marsden’s majority of 2,523 at the next election.

Selection news: Shortlists revealed for Ipswich, and Warwick & Leamington

Several ConservativeHome contributors are among those who have made the final round in the two target seats

Five more target seats open to candidate applications

Stockton South, Dewsbury, Plymouth Sutton and more.

Siobhan Baillie: Four ways of getting more women candidates

If you can offer time as a mentor or speaker or donate to any of the groups mentioned in this article, it will be time and money well spent.

James Fredrickson selected as Conservative candidate to contest Oxford West and Abingdon

The tech and digital communications policy specialist won through on Friday night.

Selections. Five more seats and the first ‘team seats’ open for applications.

Bath, Bishop Auckland, Bristol North West, Peterborough, and Wirral West are seeking candidates, as are several northern cities.

Siobhan Baillie selected to contest target seat of Stroud

Also: candidate applications are set to open in Peterborough, in preparation for a possible forthcoming by-election.

CCHQ encourages applicants to be Police and Crime Commissioner candidates

The deadline is August 6th. While the role has yet to capture the public’s imagination, it has genuine power.

Candidate applications open for next target seats: Bedford and Ipswich

There are early signs of a common profile of the seats chosen as targets.