Who’s in and who’s out? The search for Stratford’s new Conservative candidate
THE former safe Stratford-on-Avon Parliamentary seat is attracting a lot of interest among Conservatives looking to stand in the general election.
According to a ‘leaked list’ posted on X (Twitter) by Michael Crick, those vying to replace Nadhim Zahawi as the constituency’s Tory candidate include: Ed Barker, Tony Devenish, Matt Dormer, Alexandra Marsanu, Jed McCrory, Penny-Anne O’Donnell, Tamara Reay, Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Emily Sheffield and Paul Uppal.
However, Mr McCrory, chairman of Stratford Town FC, has confirmed he’s not in the race. He told the Herald: “I was unaware that my name had been mentioned until I was told by Sarah Whalley-Hoggins [Conservative leader on Stratford District Council].
“I thought it was a joke to begin with, someone winding me up, and it has led to plenty of leg-pulling as to whether it would be Jed McCrory MP or Jed McCrory HMP!
“Joking aside, being an MP has never crossed my mind. When I stood as a candidate in the last local elections my main aim was to secure signatures to help fight knife crime following the stabbing of Cody Fisher.
“I just hope that whoever is elected as the new MP offers the same excellent support for Stratford Town FC as Nadhim Zahawi did.”
Mr Dormer, Conservative group leader at Redditch Borough Council, was more coy.
He said: “I’m flattered that after serving the people of Redditch for six years as council leader and ten years as a councillor that someone should link my name with the Stratford-on-Avon constituency.
“Nadhim Zahawi’s decision to stand down as MP at the next election means that a lengthy selection process will ensue and I’m sure this will see a number of excellent candidates come to the fore.
“In the meantime, I have plenty to do in my role with Redditch Borough Council where I will be holding the controlling Labour group to account and also with Worcestershire County Council where I’ve been a member for the past four years.”
So that’s a maybe.
Among the other names included on the list was Ms Sheffield – the sister-in-law of former prime minister David Cameron, and former editor of the Evening Standard.
Mr Barker is a former Conservative candidate in Derby South, Ms Reay is a county councillor in Wiltshire and Dr Shastri-Hurst is a qualified doctor and barrister who was a Conservative candidate in North Shropshire.
There is also Ms Marsanu, the national chair of Conservative Young Women, and Mr Devenish, a former Westminster city councillor.
The Herald last week published a number of other names of people who could be applying for the role, including Will Tanner, deputy chief of staff to Rushi Sunak, and a guest at Stratford Conservative Association’s AGM last week. The Herald has been told Mr Tanner is a frontrunner.
Andy Street, the former Conservative West Midlands mayor, is tipped to fight the general election in Solihull.
Mr Zahawi announced last week he did not intend to seek re-election after being the Stratford-on-Avon MP since 2010. A video interview with him can be watched on the Herald website.
As well as Mr Zahawi standing down, Stratford Conservative Association has a new chair.
Richard Walters was elected by members to take over from Lynda Organ. Mr Walters stood unsuccessfully for Stratford District Council in Southam South in last year’s local elections. He has also served as deputy chair political for the Kenilworth and Southam Conservative Association.
