Gavin Williamson was selected tonight to inherit the Conservative nomination in South Staffordshire, where Sir Patrick Cormack is standing down at the general election.
It went to five ballots, with Gavin beating Robert Light in the final and decisive vote.
Gavin, 33, who originally hails from Scarborough and is now based in Derbyshire, was the penultimate national chairman of Conservative Students before it was abolished in 1998 and the separate youth wings of the party were united as Conservative Future. He contested Blackpool North and Fleetwood in 2005.
Gavin is co-owner of a pottery in Staffordshire and Managing Director of a architectural and design company.
He issued this brief statement:
"It is a real privilege to be adopted for this fantastic constituency. I am looking forward to working with the local community, the association and Sir Patrick to deliver a Conservative government."
Sir Patrick is bequeathing him a notional majority of 8,346 over Labour in South Staffordshire.
Jonathan Isaby