3:00pm Tuesday 15th September 2009
By Andy Chiles
The Conservative Party will hold an open primary to pick one of its Brighton candidates for the next General Election.
Every person in the Brighton Pavilion constituency will be invited to vote on who the Tories should put forward as their representative for the national poll, which is expected next May.
Selection decisions are normally only taken by members of the party.
It will be the second time the Conservatives have used the tactic, criticised as a gimmick by opponents, following the selection of GP Dr Sarah Wollaston in Totnes, Devon, last month.
The party will prepare a shortlist of candidates and then ask the constituents to make their selection.
Carol Ramsden, the chairman of Brighton Pavilion Conservative Association, revealed the plan yesterday.
The Tories have been without a candidate for the seat since Dr David Bull abruptly stepped down in June, more than two years after he was selected.
He said he could no longer give enough time after being appointed to head a Conservative policy review on sexual health.
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