ConservativeHome's Seats & Candidates blog

Bournemouth West selection to be restarted

We don't have much information yet but it appears that the Bournemouth West selection is to be restarted.

Mike Greene was due to face Rebecca Harris in an open primary on Thursday but then Rebecca Harris was adopted for Castle Point.  Caroline Dineage had been named as Ms Harris' replacement but there were some concerns that Cllr Greene had an unfair headstart in campaigning for the primary.  That unfairness could have been rectified by a delay to the open primary.  The restart of the process suggests bigger issues.

8.15am, 8th July: We now understand that the process will begin again in September.  Many factors appear to have contributed to the restart but unhappiness amongst some activists at the failure of a local councillor to progress contributed to some very destructive scrutiny of the candidates that did progress.

Caroline Dineage will take the place of Rebecca Harris in final for Bournemouth West

Following Rebecca Harris' adoption as Tory candidate for Castle Point, Caroline Dineage will now contest the final round of the battle to inherit Sir John Butterfill MP's seat.

Some local Conservatives are calling for Thursday's open primary contest against Mike Greene to be delayed.  There is some concern that Caroline Dineage should have more time to rally supporters.  If the current timetable stands Cllr Greene will have enjoyed a four day head start in recruiting people for the open primary.

ConservativeHome also understands that CCHQ will be asked to space out the selection for plum seats selecting in the future.  One key Bournemouth Tory said that this sort of incident was always possible and could be avoided with a more staggered seat selection timetable.

Rebecca Harris and Mike Greene are finalists for Bournemouth West

This is Dorset is reporting that Rebecca Harris and Mike Greene are the two finalists for Bournemouth West, the seat being vacated by Sir John Butterfill MP.  Next Thursday, July 10, an open primary will decide the candidate.

ConservativeHome understands that the other finalists were Philip Lee, Guy Opperman, Caroline Dineage, Kedra Goodall and Michelle Tempest (reserve).

Sir John Butterfill to stand down

Sir John Butterfill, MP for Bournemouth West for 25 years, has told his Association that he intends to stand down at the next election.

Speaking to his local paper, Sir John said:

"I would have stayed had there been an election last autumn and was selected to do so, by which time I would be in my 70th year. If I stayed on for five years I'd be 75 so that was probably a bit long. I've now got seven grandchildren with an eighth about to arrive at the end of this month. I'd like to see a bit more of them than I have done with my own children."

The seat has a notional Conservative majority over the LibDems of 2600.

Click continue to see the Party's synopsis of his career...