Claims of stitch-ups in seat selections are as old as the Tory party itself. But the chaotic nature of this snap election and the Conservatives’ poor polling have produced an especially angry reaction among elements of the party grassroots. With Tory nominations set to close tomorrow, only one ‘safe’ seat now remains: Basildon and Billericay, the Essex stronghold that returned John Baron with a majority of 20,412 in 2019. For weeks, there have been rumours circulating that Tory chairman Richard Holden would switch to this seat from North West Durham. Today they have been confirmed.
Holden is the sole name going forward to the local association at 8 p.m today. This is because, under party rules, if a seat is vacant within 48 hours of the nomination deadline, then the party can propose just one name. Local members are furious. Andrew Baggott, the Leader of Basildon Conservatives, told Guido Fawkes that: ‘We’ve known that the seat needed a candidate since last October.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in