Politics & Council · Wiltshire-wide
East Wiltshire Tories open search for candidate to contest seat at next general election
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
The Conservative Party has begun its search for a candidate to challenge Reform MP Danny Kruger in the East Wiltshire constituency, with a final selection vote scheduled for late November.
The Conservative Party has officially launched its search for a new parliamentary candidate in East Wiltshire, setting the stage for a challenge to current Reform MP Danny Kruger. The announcement comes just over a year after Mr Kruger, who previously represented the now-abolished Devizes constituency, defected from the Conservatives to join Reform UK.
Conservative Campaign Headquarters has granted local party members the go-ahead to begin the selection process. According to the East Wiltshire Conservative Association, the process is expected to move rapidly, with the application window for approved candidates opening in early October. The procedure will conclude with a hustings event followed by a formal vote by party members on 29 November.
Jonny Gray, the newly appointed chair of the East Wiltshire Conservative Association, expressed satisfaction that the constituency is among the first to commence the search. He suggested the move demonstrates the importance of the area to the party and its determination to win back the seat.
“The interest shown has already been intense as quite rightly many people recognise that East Wiltshire is a thriving and exciting area with so much to offer,” Mr Gray said. He noted that the association is confident the process will present the membership with high-quality candidates.
The political landscape in the area has been in flux since the boundaries were redrawn ahead of the 2024 General Election. The new East Wiltshire constituency encompasses a diverse range of areas, including the towns of Marlborough and Devizes, as well as the villages of Wroughton and Chiseldon to the north. In the south, the seat includes Amesbury and the military garrisons of Tidworth and Bulford, areas that have been identified as having notable support for Reform UK.
Mr Kruger, a former political secretary to Boris Johnson, opted to remain in his seat following his defection, rather than triggering a by-election. While recent electoral models have suggested the seat remains competitive, the Conservatives appear focused on reclaiming the constituency at the next opportunity, with the upcoming selection process serving as a key milestone in their local campaign strategy.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Politics · View original