You know it’s chicken running season when MPs start moving houses. Guido hears Nicola Richards, who announced she wouldn’t contest her electorally doomed West Bromwich seat last year, has sold up and moved 20 miles away to safe seat Solihull. West Bromwich selected its Tory candidate two weeks ago with only nine members showing up. Local activists complain that Richards has run it to the ground…

The MP has time to settle in and get to know the locals – it’s hotly contested by Tories as one of the few remaining safe seats in the West Midlands. Sitting Solihull MP Julian Knight is determined to prevent Richards getting the seat and will resign to trigger two by-elections if she is selected…