This looks to be the latest installment in a contest ConservativeHome has long covered: the endless tug-of-war between constituency associations and CCHQ over the ins and outs of candidate selection.
Penny Mordaunt is the latest prominent MP to be re-adopted as a candidate by her constituency.
Cllr Duncan Goodfellow complains Lord Hunt’s message to the association “could be seen as seeking to fetter the independent and impartial decision of members”.
She claims that there has been entryism – though the relationship between MP and activists has been bad for some time.
Grieve’s intention of standing in the seat as an independent makes it a test case for early selection and local choice.
“In recent weeks I’ve been torn between family loyalty and the national interest… time for others to take on my role as MP and minister”, says Jo.
The Party’s rules – and the history of legal challenges to them – make for grim reading for the former Chancellor.