Conservatives selection round-up

9.09.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 29th Jul 2006

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The Conservatives have recently selected two more candidates in the West Midlands for the next General Election, as far as I am aware that brings the total to seven (although some sitting MP's may have been re-selected already). They have now selected in Birmingham Edgbaston, Redditch, Solihull, Staffordshire Moorlands, Tamworth, West Worcestershire and Wyre Forest.

In Birmingham Edgbaston they have re-selected Councillor Deirdre Alden. Deirdre was born in Buckinghamshire and was educated at Wycombe High School for girls before moving to Birmingham Deirdre is now a freelance writer. Deirdre stood in Birmingham Edgbaston at the 2005 General Election and is a Councillor in the constituency.

In Redditch they have re-selected Karen Lumley. Karen was born in Barnsley and grew up in Rugby, Karen is Company Secretary for RKL Geological Services Ltd and also a political consultant for the Westminster Foundation for Democracy's Conservative Programme. Karen has previously been a Councillor in Wrexham and contested the Welsh Assembly elections in 1999. Karen was also a district councillor in Redditch before standing down. Karen stood in Redditch at both the 2001 and 2005 General Elections, interestingly her share of the vote decreased last time and the Liberal Democrats share increased.

In Solihull they selected Maggie Throup. Maggie was born in Shipley, West Yorkshire and was educated at Bradford Girls' Grammar School. Since 1996 she has run a successful Marketing and Public Relations Consultancy. Maggie stood in Colne Valley at the 2005 General Election.

In Staffordshire Moorlands they selected Karen Bradley. Karen has also worked in the Conservative Central HQ Policy Unit before the last election and, as a tax specialist, has advised George Osborne and Theresa Villiers. Karen stood in Manchester Withington at the 2005 General Election, where the Liberal Democrats beat Labour to win the seat and the Conservatives lost almost 5% of the vote.

In Tamworth they have re-selected Christopher Pincher. Christopher was born in Walsall and grew up in Wombourne. He studied history at the London School of Economics before joining a major IT consultancy firm. Christopher stood in Tamworth at the 2005 General Election, where again the Conservative share of the vote declined and the Liberal Democrats increased.

In West Worcestershire they have selected Harriett Baldwin. Harriett works for J P Morgan in London, she recently lost out on selection in Folkestone and Hythe as she refused to move to the constituency or spend more than 3 days a week campaigning. Karen stood in Stockton North at the 2005 General Election, yet again the Conservative share of the vote declined and the Liberal Democrats increased.

In Wyre Forest they have re- selected Councillor Mark Garnier. Mark was born in London, educated at Charterhouse, in Surrey, before embarking on a career in the City of London. Mark has served as a councillor of the Forest of Dean District Council since 2003, and stood in Wyre Forest at the 2005 General Election.

As far as I know Labour have yet to select any Parliamentary Candidates across the whole country!