ConservativeHome's Seats & Candidates blog

Alex Williams selected for Stretford and Urmston

Alex Williams beat Karen Buckley to be selected at Saturday's Open Primary to replace Mark Versallion as Conservative candidate for Stretford and Urmston. 

Alex is 34 and a councillor in Trafford in Greater Manchester, where he is Deputy Leader of the Council. At last year's European election he was fourth on the Conservative list in North West England, and in 2005 he contested Bury South at the general election. A chartered accountant with one of the "Big Four" global accountancy firms, he is the husband of Susan Williams, who is standing in Bolton West.

He said on his selection:

"I am delighted to have been selected by local people to fight Stretford and Urmston at the next election. As a Trafford Councillor, I have campaigned on many issues of concern to residents for years and believe that the Labour Government have badly let us down. We need a strong voice at Westminster campaigning to make Stretford and Urmston an even better place to live. Over the years, Labour have proposed many damaging policies locally - from abolishing our selective education system to imposing a congestion charge on drivers. I will be fighting hard in the months ahead to make sure local people's voices will be represented if I am elected to Parliament."

Paul Lally, chairman of Stretford and Urmston Conservatives, added:

"We believe that Alex’s well established close associate with our community contrast favourably with his Labour party opponent. His proven track record in local government highlights his high calibre qualities as a candidate. His excellent ability to advocate issues raised by local people and resolve them is well documented. He will without doubt translate those skills at a national level. "

Sitting Labour MP Beverley Hughes is standing down at the election and Alex will need a swing of 10.65% to overturn a notional Labour majority of 8,310.

Jonathan Isaby

Two candidates will fight Saturday's Open Primary in Stretford and Urmston

After the resignation of the previous candidate, Mark Versallion, last October, Stretford and Urmston Conservatives are holding an Open Primary to select a new candidate this Saturday, January 9th.

The two finalists are:

• Karen Buckley - A councillor in Fylde, Lancashire, since 2007, where she is Cabinet member for Partnerships and Community Engagement and Chairman of Fylde Children’s Trust.  She is a staunch supporter of the promotion of marriage and is especially keen that married couples are not penalised in the benefits system . On her website she pledges that if selected she will resign immediately from her job as a lawyer, find local accommodation and fight a full-time campaign.   
• Alex Williams - A councillor in Trafford in Greater Manchester, where he is Deputy Leader of the Council. At last year's European election he was fourth on the Conservative list in North West England, and in 2005 he contested Bury South at the general election. He gave his local MP, Graham Brady, 100% support when he resigned from the party's front bench over policy on grammar schools. He is a chartered accountant. 

The meeting will take place at 2pm At the John Alker Memorial hall in Flixton and any voter in the constituency who registers to attend before 5pm on Thursday is entitled to attend and help select the candidate. You can register via the Stretford and Urmston Conservative Association website or by calling on 0161 748 4678.

Sitting Labour MP Beverley Hughes is standing down at the election and the new Conservative candidate will need a swing of 10.65% to overturn a notional Labour majority of 8,310.

Jonathan Isaby

Nominations open for Beckenham and Stretford & Urmston

Only two seats appear in the latest tranche to be selecting a Conservative candidate:

Beckenham: Where Jacqui Lait MP is stepping down at the next election. There are quite significant boundary changes, which will make the seat far safer for the Conservatives than at present. In fact, she will bequeath a notional Conservative majority of 16,913, which - in percentage terms - would makes it currently the safest Tory seat in the country, according to the projection of Professors Rallings and Thrasher of the University of Plymouth.

Stretford and Urmston: The seat where Mark Versallion stood down as candidate earlier this week. Labour MP Beverly Hughes is standing down at the election and the new Conservative candidate will need a swing of 10.65% to overturn a notional Labour majority of 8,310.

Applications close at midday on Friday October 30th.

Jonathan Isaby

Mark Versallion steps down as PPC for Stretford and Urmston

I have learnt today that Mark Versallion has just stepped down as PPC for Stretford and Urmston due to pressures of his job. He has released the following statement:

"Much has changed in the last two years since I was selected.  The need to spend more time on my business in London due to the recession means I am not able to commit the time to the constituency that I believe a candidate needs to in order to win this seat for the Conservatives. I am grateful to everyone in the Association who has supported me over these past two and a quarter years and I look forward to supporting the new candidate in whatever way I can in the future."

Paul Lally, the association chairman accepted Mark's decision with regret:

"We have regretfully accepted Mark's decision to step down.  The recession has affected all our lives and we respect Mark's integrity in taking this course of action.  We thank Mark for the time and effort that he has given to Stretford and Urmston over the last two years and wish him, his wife and two young sons all the best for the future."

The association will begin selecting a new candidate later this month for a seat which is currently held for Labour by Beverly Hughes, who is herself standing down at the election. The new Conservative candidate will need a swing of 10.65% to overturn a notional Labour majority of 8,310.

The defeated candidates at the open primary in July 2007 were James Atkins and Suhail Rahuja.

Jonathan Isaby

Mark Versallion selected for Stretford & Urmston

We posted the shortlist for Stretford & Urmston's open primary back in July, and published comments congratulating Mark on his selection, but it seems we forgot to do another post confirming his selection.

Well, Mark Versallion has been selected for Stretford & Urmston!

Stretford & Urmston shortlist

There will be an open primary selection on July 26th, between James Atkins, Suhail Rahuja and Mark Versallion.

The seat is held by Labour's Beverley Hughes by over 8000 votes.

Click continue to read candidate statements.

Deputy Editor