Tories may be stifled on candidate choice

Frustrated Tory activists in Sandwell may not get a say in who will be fighting to represent them at the next General Election – despite demanding a wider choice of candidates.

Names of the prospective parliamentary candidates who will try to take the safe Labour seats of West Bromwich East, West Bromwich West and Warley are expected to be announced by Conservative Party chiefs in central London within days.

Three hopefuls – Andrew Hardie, Jas Parmar and Alistair Thompson – were parachuted in from outside the borough in August 2008.

But their election campaigns suffered a blow when the selection process was abandoned this September after grassroots Tories demanded locals be allowed to throw their names into the hat too.

Members in Sandwell complained that their letters to Conservative Campaign Headquarters had been ignored and called for local councillors Michael Middleton, who represents Wednesbury South and Ray Nock, of Charlemont/Grove Vale, to be included in the running.

But Councillor Tony Ward, leader of the Conservative group at Sandwell Council, has now said he believes the pair will not be allowed to stand because they entered the race too late.

It means members may only get to vote on the so-called "adopted candidates".

Mr Ward said: "We are going to be given our official candidates in the next few days. Until that is out, I don't know who they will officially turn up as."

He added: "It is unfortunate that both Ray Nock and Michael Middleton will not be able to stand."