ConservativeHome has learnt that Julie Marson, the MP for Hertford and Stortford has failed to get automatically reselected by her association’s Executive Committee recently. Reportedly, the vote was split, with 8 votes against re-adopting and 7 for, and came as a shock to the incumbent. Marson has exercised her right to go to the wider membership, and the result will be announced on the 20th or 21st of April.
A local source suggested that there were some concerns over her attendance in the constituency. She had something of a public dispute with her local newspaper last year (written up in depressingly smarmy fashion by The Independent) and she has faced local disgruntlement over her expenses and ‘having a family home in Kent’ whilst representing a seat in Hertfordshire.
However, Marson has sent a leaflet to local members highlighting her track record, including her efforts to get a local hospital built and her defence of the local Post Office, as well as having approving messages from Kemi Badenoch, Penny Mordaunt, and Robert Halfon.
If the vote was in line with those for Sally-Ann Hart and Theo Clarke, the suggestion is that she is likely to be re-adopted. Marson currently sits on a majority of 19, 620. On current polling, Electoral Calculus predicts she will lose to Labour next time around – but in an area with a council so solidly blue, that should be taken with a pinch of salt.
As ever, please e-mail me with any selections information at william@conservativehome.com.