The Skipton and Ripon Conservatives have confirmed that they will select their new candidate using an open primary - although by way of a public meeting rather than the all-postal ballot as used in Totnes (at a cost of £40,000).
Association chairman Richard Hughes has announced that any member of the electorate in the constituency can register to attend and vote at the selection meeting, which will take place in Skipton on Saturday 26th September:
“No matter who you usually vote for, this is your opportunity to hear from and then pick the man or woman who will fight to be our next Member of Parliament. Our selection process is the most open and accountable of any political party and, as a result, we are confident the right person, who can represent the entire community, will be selected.”
Any eligible voter should email the association if they wish to register to attend.
Skipton and Ripon is one of a number of safe seats for which applications were opened last week (closing next Thursday).
11am update: Of the other seats in the current tranche, Bracknell will, like Skipton and Ripon, have an open primary whilst Dudley North will select via a special general meeting of its association. The decisions on selection methods for the other seats are yet to be anounced.
Jonathan Isaby