Chaos as Tory chairman put on a shortlist of one to ensure he gets a seat
The IndependentSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A fresh embarrassment has emerged for Rishi Sunak after Conservative Party chiefs were forced to put his hand-picked chairman Richard Holden on a shortlist of one to ensure he had a seat to fight. Holden is on a shortlist of one for the safe seat One member said: "Given the wobbly state of the national campaign at the moment, it's a real kick in the teeth to the hundreds of dedicated candidates, not to mention the tens of thousands of activists, who are struggling valiantly for the party, to see the attention of the party chairman selfishly centred on himself. We certainly won’t accept this without a fight.” Mr Holden had suffered because of perceptions that he was on a so-called “chicken run” from the North East after his North West Durham constituency disappeared in the boundary review. The Conservative Party said Mr Holden’s candidacy would only be confirmed on Friday when nominations for people standing officially close.
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