This is the official statement from the Conservative Party regarding changes to selection procedures:
"The Conservative Party tonight [22/1] confirmed that David Cameron and Don Porter, the Chairman of the National Convention, would be making a recommendation to the Party Board to further refine the selection procedure for candidates in order to boost the number of women and local candidates selected.
Under the current arrangements, constituencies are offered two main options: a) the "big event" where party members have four votes - 2 for men and 2 for women - and create a short list of four of which half are women. There is then a thorough interview process conducted by the Constituency Executive to select the final candidate or b) The Open Primary - where anyone on the electoral register can vote on the final short list - but where there is no requirement for a balance between men and women in the final round.
The proposal to be put to the Board will correct that anomaly by ensuring that the final round of Open Primaries also requires a balance of men and women.
In addition, there will also be a proposal to boost the number of local candidates by allowing candidates on the main candidates list to apply for seats in regions where they have some connection or interest.
John Maples said, "We always said that we would keep the selection procedure under review and refine it further if necessary. One of our overriding objectives is to see more women selected. The Priority List has helped us to make significant progress and so far nearly 40 percent of selected candidates are women. The changes made in August improved our selection procedure and has led to more women being selected. The the new option to be recommended to the Party Board will strengthen this further by requiring that two of the final four candidates at Open Primaries are also women. We also want to boost the number of local candidates and so will allow candidates on the main candidates list to apply for seats in regions where they have some connection or interest."
If the party Board approve this proposal, then in future Associations will be offered this option."
Link to previous announcement on reforms (from August 2006): Party democracy is compromised in quest for more women MPs
