The Herald ranks some potential Conservative candidates paddling their way to be Stratford MP
Will Tanner 9/1
The PM’s deputy chief of staff and founder of centrist Tory think tank Onward was a guest at a meeting of Stratford Conservatives on Friday – sparking speculation that he is being seen as favourite to take over the Stratford seat.
Richard Holden 12/1
With his Durham constituency unlikely to remain blue in a general election, the chairman of the Conservative Party breezed into Stratford for a surprise visit last October. Even though Holden, 39, was there on transport department business, the suspicion was that he was eyeing up the patch with a view to park himself firmly on the seat.
Arun Photay 15/1
The West Mids Conservative regional chair and former councillor has been recently visible on the campaign trails for Andy Street and Philip Seccombe, and is now apparently keen on finding himself a seat – and rumours are that Stratford is on the 41-year-old’s list.
Jonathan Gullis 50/1
Brought up in Stratford, former teacher Gullis is currently deputy chairman of the Conservative Party and MP for Stoke-on-Trent, which the Tories look set to lose in the next election. The 34-year-old is an outspoken figure and courted controversy when as a Shipston councillor in 2011 he encouraged people to vote Labour after falling out with the local Tories.
Penny-Anne O’Donnell 75/1
The Warwickshire county councillor for Wellesbourne also heads up the Conservative Policy Forum. O’Donnell, 52, a speech and language therapist, is seen as the only viable local choice. However it’s unlikely she’ll get any backing from Number 10.
Paul Uppal 99/1
One of those rumoured to be sniffing around Stratford as a safe seat is the former MP Paul Uppal, 56. A Brummie, he held Enoch Powell’s old seat in Wolverhampton for five years until losing out in 2015 – and has apparently been looking for a way back since.
Andy Street 200/1
Poor old popular West Mids mayor was ousted in the recent elections – and has been suggested for any number of constituencies, including Stratford. However the smart money is on Solihull, where 60-year-old Street is from.
Boris Johnson 100K/1
The former PM has been idling in the wings waiting for his cue to return to the political stage. Given the 59-year-old’s avowed love of Shakespeare, some believe Stratford would be the perfect patch for the Old Etonian.
Nonrunners
Philip Seccombe ruled himself out on grounds of his recent re-election as PCC and his age.
Tim Sinclair says his ambitions lie in his work as a county councillor.
