Prior fails in Tory shortlist bid
CHRIS FISHER, EDP Political Editor Local health chief and former North Norfolk Tory MP David Prior has been rejected by Conservatives for a second time in a bid to resume his political career.
CHRIS FISHER, EDP Political Editor
Local health chief and former North Norfolk Tory MP David Prior has been rejected by Conservatives for a second time in a bid to resume his political career.
The chairman of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Trust has failed to get on the Tory candidates' shortlist for the new Mid-Norfolk constituency ahead of the selection of a prospective parliamentary candidate later this month.
Two years ago he similarly failed to be shortlisted by SW Norfolk Tories in succession to Baroness (Gillian) Shephard.
Mr Prior has suffered these setbacks - which may spell the end of his political ambitions - despite representing North Norfolk in the Commons in 1997-2001 and his high-profile hospital position.
He declined to comment yesterday. But it is thought his defeat by Norman Lamb for the Liberal Democrats in North Norfolk may still be held against him even though he raised the Tory share of the vote by six percentage points in that contest.
Most Read
- 1 Broads Authority moves to prosecute pub over caravans - again
- 2 Part of A47 closed in both directions after crash
- 3 See inside this idyllic family home up for sale with NO nearby neighbours
- 4 Former coastal restaurant up for auction
- 5 EXCLUSIVE: The faces behind City's prospective US investment
- 6 Thousands expected to attend huge four-day steam extravaganza
- 7 Man claims supermarket fuel was contaminated as he reveals £200 repair bill
- 8 M&S to close 32 stores as part of move away from town centres
- 9 Motorcylist in 50s in hospital with serious injuries after tyre shop crash
- 10 Multiple fire crews tackle farm blaze overnight
Twenty names are on the Tories' shortlist for the new Mid-Norfolk, which will include about a third of the current seat of the same name represented by Conservative frontbencher Keith Simpson. He has already been chosen as the prospective candidate for the new Broadland seat, which will have about two-thirds of his present constituency.
The boundary changes are a consequence of Norfolk acquiring a ninth seat at Westminster at the next general election.
Two of the people left are "local candidates" and one of them lives in Norfolk. The other 18 are from the priority "A-list" set up by Mr Cameron to try to ensure that Tory parliamentary candidates are more representative of British society. They are said to include one or two names well-known in political circles.
The candidate for the new Mid-Norfolk will be chosen on October 21, and before then ordinary party members and also non-members who are supporters will be brought into a wider selection process. The shortlisting was done by local party officers.
