ConservativeHome's Seats & Candidates blog

Alan Wright hits the ground running in his first full week as PPC for Hartlepool

Each week a different PPC provides us with an insight into life as a candidate and gives us a flavour of their own campaign and interests. If you are a candidate and are keen to be featured, please email Jonathan Isaby.

This week’s diary is written by Alan Wright, who was selected as candidate for Hartlepool earlier this month. Alan is Hartlepool born-and-bred, with a high local media profile as a former BBC presenter in the area and as a columnist in the Hartlepool Mail. He now runs his own media consultancy business and is an accomplished after-dinner speaker. He will start in third place, with Labour MP Iain Wright currently enjoying a majority of 7,478 over the Liberal Democrats.

Sunday August 9th
It’s been a full four days since my (pleasingly) unanimous selection by the Hartlepool Conservative Association and it’s been a whirlwind ever since. We made the front page (and most of page 2) of the Hartlepool Mail last Thursday and the response since has been fantastic. I’ve even had a complaint from my local Civic Centre that their switchboard is melting with calls from well-wishers who want to talk to me. There’s obviously a belief around that PPCs automatically get an office suite and a team of staff supplied by the local council – dream on.

Bit of time off today with a trip out in glorious sunshine to Durham County Cricket Ground with our two grandsons, Joshua (9) and William (5). They love it – cricket coaching, a picnic in the park next door, and then watching the big match. William (pictured) soon gets into the swing of raising his 4 and 6 boundary card at frequent intervals. I love coming back here to the Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street. In a previous life in the early Nineties, I was Chief Executive here when we built the new ground. Then, it was just a pitch and a portakabin; now it’s a glorious international ground. Even better, three Durham lads (Collingwood, Harmison and Onions) are in the England team – even though they are getting roundly stuffed by Australia. Without the Durham set-up though, they may never had aspired to the top.

Hartlepool Conservatives select Alan Wright to take on Labour MP Iain Wright

In a move that will see him immediately above the sitting Labour MP Iain Wright on the ballot paper, Alan Wright was chosen by Hartlepool Conservatives on Wednesday night to contest the seat formerly held by Peter Mandelson.

62-year-old Alan is not only Hartlepool born-and-bred, but he already has a high local media profile as a former presenter on BBC local radio in the area and as a columnist in the Hartlepool Mail. He now runs his own media consultancy business.

He said on his selection:

"It is an honour and a privilege to be selected to seek the position of MP in my home town... I fervently believe that Hartlepool needs a change to give all of its people the best chances in life.

"There is a bigger Conservative tradition in Hartlepool than many people realise. Our very first MP, Ralph Ward Jackson, was a Conservative and I remember growing up when Commander John Kerans filled the post from 1959 to 1964.

"This will be the first time I have ever stood for political office, though my long years in the media and on public bodies have given me a sharp understanding of what works and what doesn't. I know Hartlepool very well and I'm proud to say that Hartlepool knows me.

"The General Election gives the town a real choice between stagnation and a new start with a Conservative government and a Conservative MP who can make a big difference."

He starts in third place with 11.5% of the vote, with Iain Wright currently enjoying a Labour majority of 7,478 over the Liberal Democrats.

Jonathan Isaby

A mixed bag of seven seats seeking a candidate

CCHQ has today advertised for a candidate in seven seats. None of the recent retirement seats are included, but there are two where candidates have recently stood down in seats within the top 200 targets.

The deadline for applications is June 29th.

In order of where they appear on the target list, they are:

Dudley North - Conservative target 106; notional Labour majority of 4,106 over the Conservatives. This is where John Perry recently stood down. Sitting MP - Ian Austin.

Walsall South - Conservative target 194; notional Labour majority of 7,910 over the Conservatives. This is where Thelma Matuk stood down. Sitting MP - Bruce George.

Edmonton - Conservative target 251; notional Labour majority of 10,312 over the Conservatives. Sitting MP - Andy Love.

Hartlepool - Conservative target 331; Labour majority of 7,478 over Lib Dems (Con in 3rd place). Sitting MP - Iain Wright.

Sedgefield - Conservative target 364; notional Labour majority of 18,198 over the Conservatives. Sitting MP - Phil Wilson.

Cardiff Central - Conservative target 394; Lib Dem majority of 5,593 over Labour (Con in 3rd place). Sitting MP - Jenny Willott.

Easington - Conservative target 413; notional Labour majority of 18,874 over Lib Dems (Con in 3rd place). Sitting MP - John Cummings (retiring).

(All target numbers and majorities based on the figures compiked by Profs Rallings and Thrasher of the University of Plymouth)

Jonathan Isaby