While Labour has selected for Wakefield, and the LibDems for Tiverton, the Tories have already found themselves on the backfoot selecting candidates for the forthcoming by-elections. This Sunday will see the Tories finally select for both seats, and Guido’s seen the shortlist for Wakefield in full. The primary concern for the party, in case it’s not obvious, is having a ‘local candidate’:

• Nadeem Ahmed – Leader of the Wakefield Conservative group from 2014 to 2021. Holocaust Educational Trust ambassador and fellow of the Ambition Institute. Previously expressed surprise with Imran Ahmed Khan’s selection as no one knew who he was. Couldn’t be more local…
• Laura Weldon – 2022 council candidate for Wakefield West. Former constituency coordinator of Khan. Current Political and Public Affairs Officer for the Nappy Alliance. Again, pretty local…
• Tanya Graham – Tory Bradford South candidate in both 2015 and 2017, losing by over 6,000 votes both times. Least local of the three…