Con HQ announces first ten of forty target seat selections

By Tim Montgomerie
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Sarah Newton MP, Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, has just given ConservativeHome the names of the ten constituencies who will taking part in the first of three tranches to select the forty candidates in the Tories' 40/40 battleground strategy to win a majority at the next election. They are:

1. Birmingham Northfield, Lab maj of 2,782
2. Cheadle, Lib Dem maj of 3,272
3. Chorley, Lab maj of 2,593  
4. Delyn, Lab maj of 2,272
5. Hampstead and Kilburn, Lab maj of 42 in three way marginal
6. Harrow West, Lab maj of 3,143
7. Morley and Outwood, Lab maj of 1,101
8. N E Derbyshire, Lab maj of 2,445
9. Sutton and Cheam, Lib Dem maj of 1,608
10. Vale of Clwyd, Lab maj of 2,509

Sarah told me that the forty seats haven't just been selected because of the size of their majorities but because of examination of other factors including demographic trends and local issues. Selection procedeures will begin on 16th November and be wrapped up in time for Christmas in a sign that the party is determined to benefit as much as it now can from early adoption.

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