Folkestone and Hythe Conservatives Ditch Local Candidates

Local Tories are down to a shortlist of 5 candidates from across the country as they choose their candidate to contest the Folkestone and Hythe seat at the next General Election. In a blow to the hopes of many local Conservatives, the shortlist contains NO local names.

The original shortlist of 6 Conservative candidates was reported as being:

• Harriet Baldwin - stood and lost in Stockton North (North East England) in 2005
• Damian Collins - stood and lost in Northampton North (East Midlands) in 2005
• Chris Heaton-Harris - MEP for the East Midlands. Stood and lost in Leicester (East Midlands) in 2004 by-election (beaten by Lib Dem candidate Parmjit Singh Gill)
• Brandon Lewis - Leader of Brentwood Borough Council (Essex). Stood and lost in Sherwood (East Midlands) in 2001
• Kulveer Ranger - stood and lost in Makerfield (North West England) in 2005
• Laura Sandys - Political consultant

The race further narrowed to 5 candidates last night as Chris Heaton-Harris withdrew having been selected for Daventry in the East Midlands.

The Conservatives are expected to finally choose their candidate from in the next few weeks. The Liberal Democrats will be selecting their Parliamentary Candidate for Folkestone and Hythe over the next few months.