Yesterday, former Cabinet Minister Stephen Byers announced that he is quitting the Commons at the next election.
Today I learn that the Conservatives in his North Tyneside constituency will be selecting a Conservative candidate for the seat on Saturday December 5th.
Whilst it may not be top of the Tory target list (it is in fact 338th on the list), there are seven Conservative councillors within the boundaries of the constituency - and the wider North Tyneside Council has a directly-elected Conservative Mayor, Linda Arkley.
The Conservatives begin in third place on 18%, less than 1,500 votes behind the second-placed Lib Dems, and it is the kind of seat which would seem ideal for a local man or woman from the Tyneside area seeking a first-time candidacy.
Jonathan Isaby
