Richard Bacon has been de-selected as the Conservative candidate for Norfolk South. Having served as the MP for the constituency since 2001 – and having extended his majority at each election – Bacon now has to decide whether he wants his name to go forwards to the wider membership.
The decision was made by a selection council of local members. Although Bacon’s seat has largely survived the boundary changes with little alteration, North, South, and Central Wymondham wards were all in the previous set of Mid Norfolk, currently held by George Freeman. Electoral Calculus predicts both seats will go to Labour at the next election
With the selection being held in Wymondham, the desire for local members for a new candidate would be similar to that which saw Damien Green was rejected by the selection council in the Weald of Kent. Local sources suggested to ConservativeHome that the major issue with Bacon was a “lack of visible engagement” – essentially, too low a profile – but praised him for his long service.
As with previous de-selections, this looks to have less to do with a party membership frustrated by Boris Johnson’s defenestration – of which ConservativeHome has found little evidence – and much more to do with local party members flexing their muscles against a CCHQ viewed as over-bearing, enjoying the opportunity provided by boundary changes and poor polls.
Bacon has now been asked to step back and consider his position: whether he wants to go to the wider membership, apply for another constituency, or stand down at the next election. Parts of Norfolk South were also expected to form part of the new Waveney Valley constituency, but Electoral Calculus currently has grim news for the Conservatives there too.
As ever, my inbox – william@conservativehome.com – and Twitter DMs are always open for any information about selections.