The Election Battlegrounds 3) North West

Our series continues with a look at another key region, which offers a decent clutch of targets to either Labour or the Conservatives on a good night.

The Australian Liberals know who their target voters are. The Conservatives don’t seem to have a clue.

Amidst the gathering leadership election debate, there is a lack of focus on who such voters are and where they live.

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.

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

Exclusive: Conservative candidate selections open for first tranche of target seats

Applications are now open for Stroud, Warwick & Leamington, Oxford West & Abingdon, and Crewe & Nantwich.

Simon Marcus: The Conservatives need a grassroots army to match Labour’s

The Opposition have lots of well-motivated infantry and the digital tools to coordinate them effectively. They could put Corbyn into Downing Street.

In Copeland, the campaign is exposing problems with the Tory ground operation

It’s still winnable, but there are warning signs for the wider Party and its leadership.

Battlegrounds Revisited 1) The North West

In the aftermath of the election, we revisit our regional profiles to see how the parties fared compared to expectations.

Lord Ashcroft: In ten marginals that the Conservatives hold over Labour, I find them ahead in five

Two are ties, and Labour are ahead in three, though well within the margin of error.

The Election Battleground 1) The North West

In the first of our series looking at May’s electoral battlegrounds, we explore the fierce fights which are taking place across the North West.