CCHQ have this afternoon announced nine more seats that will be open for candidate applications:
- Bracknell
- Dudley North
- Macclesfield
- Penrith and the Border
- Sleaford and North Hykeham
- Skipton and Ripon
- South West Norfolk
- Woking
- Wycombe
All but Dudley North (which objected to CCHQ quotas) are Tory-held.
The deadline for applications will be 3rd September.
That Bromsgrove is not on the list will fuel suspicions that CCHQ is co-operating with Julie Kirkbride in her hope to stay as the seat's MP.
Eric Pickles, Party Chairman, will be overseeing the shortlisting for these seats in the latest centralisation of selection power by CCHQ.
Tim Montgomerie