Mayor Election 2016 / News
Tory appeal to find next mayor candidate
The Conservative Party in Bristol is appealing for applicants to stand for mayor under a new ‘open’ selection process.
The party is circulating a leaflet asking for candidates of all different backgrounds to come forward and represent the party.
It will then allow anyone in Bristol, regardless of party affiliation, to take part in the selection process by voting for their favourite candidate.
The “open primary” method is being used for the first time in Bristol for the selection which will take place in September.
The method has been used successfully to select recent MPs elsewhere in the country.
Conservative group leader Mark Weston said it was the party’s policy to advertise the mayor post externally.
He added that there was internal interest in the post, but no official declarations had been made yet.
The Tories are seen as outsiders in May’s mayoral elections.
Two candidates are battling to be selected to represent Labour, who are likely to be the biggest challenger to George Ferguson.
Party members only can vote for their preference in a ballot which closes at the end of August.
No other party has announced its candidates yet.
One independent, Laurence Duncan, has put his name forward for the election.