Party board election: Local candidates

Derek Tipp's final question refers to local candidates.  Whereas only a third of December's ConservativeHome.com respondents favoured a 50/50 A-list of candidates - as prioritised by David Cameron, 71% supported more local candidates in the most marginal seats. 

Would you support the right of all constituencies to be able, if they wish, to consider a local candidate for selection as their PPC, provided that candidate was approved by the Candidates Committee?

JOHN FLACK: Yes.

JEREMY MIDDLETON: Yes, I regularly argue for the right of all constituencies to be able to consider a local candidate for selection as their PPC provided the candidate was approved by the Candidates Committee.

SIMON MORT: Yes.  I feel very strongly about the value of local candidates whether on the PL or not and am on record as expressing this view very forcibly.

TOBY VINTCENT: Yes, provided that the candidate also satisfied the criteria for the nature of the seat – Majority Conservative/Target/Majority Opposition Held, etc.

EMMA PIDDING: I support the right for all constituencies to be able, if they wish, to consider a local candidate for selection as their PPC, provided that the candidate is approved by the Candidates Committee.

Comments

[Selsdon Man]

This is a tame and easy question. The real one is whether a marginal or retirement constituency should be able to reject the Priority List applicants and invite applications from Non-PL candidates.

[wasp]

Actually the real question is HOW a local candidates can be considered.

The current proposal is that the Regional Director would have to make a recommendation, which would never happen.

What it should be is a candidate who can get say 200 nominations. Or that the AGM of the Association supports.

Or even better shortlists must be 2 priority list & 1 local.

[Peter]

Local candidates should have priority over any central list.
It's time the party hierarchy realised that the Conservative Party exists for its members, not the other way round. If a local candidate is elected as an MP then
the people have spoken, and what the party hierarchy may think of him/her or his/her views is irrelevant.

[Rik W]

Peter - that is not true. If someone is elected they have to be able to work with colleagues at Westminster and the central party. The central list ensures some uniformity of scrutiny and sifting of the wheat from the chaff.

I would strongly oppose any move to allow non-list candidates being considered for selection in their local areas. If someone is considered good enough they should go through the selection and approval process and get themselves on the list.

However, where I do agree with some posters is that "local" candidates on the main Parliamentary List should be allow to apply for target/marginal seats even if they are not on the Priority List.