Simon Reevell, a Yorkshire-based barrister, was selected at an open primary last night to contest Dewsbury at the next general election. He is currently chairman of Beverley and Holderness Conservative Associaiton.
After considerable boundary changes, the sitting Labour MP, Shahid Malik, will be defending a notional majority of only 3,999 (based on the Rallings and Thrasher figures), meaning that Simon needs a swing of 4.5% to win the seat. Along with Colne Valley, Calder Valley, Bradford West, Halifax, Leeds North West, Keighley, Elmet & Rothwell and Pudsey, it is one of a number of West Yorkshire marginals all of which - on paper - the party needs to win if it is to form a government after the next election. Dewsbury last had a Tory MP between 1983 and 1987 in the form of John Whitfield.
Simon said on his selection:
“I am delighted to have been selected as the Parliamentary Candidate for Dewsbury and look forward to working across the constituency in the coming months. I’ve already heard that residents and businesses are fed-up with Labour’s twelve years of ignoring the needs of Dewsbury and of West Yorkshire. I’ll be listening to what people really want improved and setting out our plan for change.”
The previously selected Conservative candidate, Kevin Hollinrake, resigned last October to concentrate on his business affairs.