The death of the UKIP candidate in Thirsk and Malton after close of nominations meant that the general election poll had to be postponed until May 27th.
Conservative Anne McIntosh (pictured) will defend a notional majority of a little over 14,000 in the newly drawn seat, but despite the new coalition arranegemnt at Westminster, it has been confirmed in the Yorkshire Post that the Liberal Democrats will be contesting the seat:
The Liberal Democrat candidate in the Thirsk and Malton by-election, which will be held in a fortnight, said today he is looking forward to a "full-on fight" against the Tories... Howard Keal confirmed the Lib Dems will continue to contest the North Yorkshire seat, which was the only constituency where there was no poll last week due to the death of the UKIP candidate during the campaign. Mr Keal said he is looking forward to his chance to "upset the apple cart".
Jonathan Isaby
