I have just heard that Charlotte Vere has been selected from the field of six at tonight's Open Primary meeting to fight Brighton Pavilion at the general election.
According to her biography on the Brighton Conservatives' website:
"Charlotte is a successful social entrepreneur and businesswoman. As CEO of Big White Wall, she led a team which developed therapy for depression using the internet. Big White Wall won the 2009 Guardian Award for Innovation in Community Engagement. Charlotte is a key campaigner for Zac Goldsmith, the Conservative candidate in Richmond Park, and she has a passion for the environment. She is married with two children.If selected, Charlotte will ensure that Brighton remains a wonderful place to live for all, by seeking a fair balance between the needs of residents and the demands of visitors. She has pledged to act as local champion for all businesses including conferencing and hospitality, tourism and retail."
Thursday update: The Brighton Argus reports that after the first four candidates were eliminated there had to be two final ballots after the first brought a dead heat between Charlotte Vere and Mary Weale. And the BBC have a short video clip of Charlotte after her victory.
Jonathan Isaby