CCHQ has today advertised for a candidate in seven seats. None of the recent retirement seats are included, but there are two where candidates have recently stood down in seats within the top 200 targets.
The deadline for applications is June 29th.
In order of where they appear on the target list, they are:
Dudley North - Conservative target 106; notional Labour majority of 4,106 over the Conservatives. This is where John Perry recently stood down. Sitting MP - Ian Austin.
Walsall South - Conservative target 194; notional Labour majority of 7,910 over the Conservatives. This is where Thelma Matuk stood down. Sitting MP - Bruce George.
Edmonton - Conservative target 251; notional Labour majority of 10,312 over the Conservatives. Sitting MP - Andy Love.
Hartlepool - Conservative target 331; Labour majority of 7,478 over Lib Dems (Con in 3rd place). Sitting MP - Iain Wright.
Sedgefield - Conservative target 364; notional Labour majority of 18,198 over the Conservatives. Sitting MP - Phil Wilson.
Cardiff Central - Conservative target 394; Lib Dem majority of 5,593 over Labour (Con in 3rd place). Sitting MP - Jenny Willott.
Easington - Conservative target 413; notional Labour majority of 18,874 over Lib Dems (Con in 3rd place). Sitting MP - John Cummings (retiring).
(All target numbers and majorities based on the figures compiked by Profs Rallings and Thrasher of the University of Plymouth)
Jonathan Isaby