Member News
A Conservative MP who said she would not seek re-election after being caught up in the expenses scandal has changed her mind, it has emerged.
Julie Kirkbride wrote to party leader David Cameron on May 28 announcing that she would not seek re-election for her Bromsgrove constituency.
"My principal concern has to be for my very loyal local supporters in Bromsgrove whose trust in me has been very humbling in the last few weeks," she wrote.
Today ConservativeHome revealed that a special meeting of the Executive Council of Bromsgrove Conservative Association took place last night.
"Sitting MP Julie Kirkbride officially made clear her desire to be considered as their candidate for the next general election."
The grassroots website reports that Bromsgrove Conservatives will hold an all-postal open primary to select their candidate.
"Ms Kirkbride told her executive ... she would like to be considered as a candidate in such a process," according to ConHome.
Kirkbride's husband Andrew Mackay, MP for Bracknell, also announced he would stand down at the next election.
He resigned as an aide to Cameron after it emerged he was claiming more than £1,000 a month in mortgage interest payments on their second home in London whle his wife was claiming more than £900 for their family home near her constituency.
A spokesman for Cameron said Mackay's claims "would not stand up to reasonable public scrutiny".
Bracknell Tories have already selected a candidate for the next election. Local doctor Phillip Lee was chosen in an open primary.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd