Row brewing over Conservative General Election candidate for Walsall North

Party chiefs in Walsall North say they are backing Douglas Hansen-Luke, who ran at the 2015 General Election, but over the weekend Streetly councillor Eddie Hughes emerged as a contender.

Walsall Conservatives chairman Peter Washbrook said executive members in Walsall North had written to the national party endorsing Mr Hansen-Luke, hoping he could be fast-tracked to stand again against veteran Labour MP David Winnick.

But it is understood that Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) is drawing up a shortlist of three candidates which will be put forward to party members in Walsall North to vote on.

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Councillor Washbrook told the Express & Star he did not know where suggestions that councillor Hughes could be standing had come from because he didn't believe he was on the party's approved candidates' list.

He added: "We have expressed a desire to have Douglas as our candidate and have him run again."

Walsall North executive member Peter Hancox said: "Chairman Peter Washbrook tested the water with the Walsall North executive members and we were of the view for one candidate – Douglas Hansen-Luke – to go forward.

"As a consequence I understand a letter was sent to CCHQ expressing that view.

"We now seem to have other potential candidates coming out of the woodwork – it's normal when you have a General Election and it is perceived that there is a potentially winnable seat that there is suddenly more enthusiasm from others."

Mr Winnick, 83, has a majority of 1,937 which makes it one of the Conservative Party's top targets on June 8.

Mr Hansen-Luke, 47, spent two-and-half years campaigning in the constituency for the 2015 election and promised local campaigners he would stand again if there was another election.

He said: "Whoever is selected by their party to stand for Walsall North, my hope is that the local competition will be focused on just two things.

"One – which candidate best provides a voice for Walsall in Westminster and two – supporting the Prime Minister in negotiating the best possible Brexit for Britain. Whether in the past constituents voted Conservative or Labour, Brexit or Remain, the ideal candidate at this election will be the one who speaks for the whole of Walsall and who puts the views of their constituents first."

Councillor Hughes, chairman of Walsall Housing Group (whg), did not respond to calls from the Express & Star.