Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

North Yorkshire female MP Anne McIntosh faces deselection in challenge to David Cameron

 

Jonathan Brown
Friday 03 January 2014 14:47 EST
Comments
David Cameron called Anne McIntosh one of the party's 'most assiduous' MPs
David Cameron called Anne McIntosh one of the party's 'most assiduous' MPs

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

One of the Conservatives’ few female MPs in the North of England is facing a damaging second reselection battle amid an outbreak of infighting.

Anne McIntosh, who represents Thirsk and Malton, could be ousted later this month, to the embarrassment of the party’s national leadership. About 540 local members will decide in a secret ballot whether to drop her ahead of the next general election because of claims she is not fulfilling her constituency duties. Ballot papers go out next week.

Ms McIntosh, who is chair of the Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, enjoys the whole-hearted backing of David Cameron, who has described her as one of the party’s “most assiduous” MPs. If she loses it is likely to prove deeply embarrassing for the Prime Minister, following failed attempts by grassroots activists to unseat the former prisons minister Crispin Blunt in the Tories’ Surrey heartlands in September.

Relations in the constituency – one of the most prosperous and safest seats in the North of England – have reached breaking point.

Ms McIntosh survived an attempt to deselect her in 2009. Party activists however have criticised what they regard as the “high-handed” intervention of the national command which launched a three-month inquiry and ordered an overhaul of the local executive after opponents decided in January 2013 that they no longer wanted her to represent them. It is this dispute that has led to the upcoming ballot.

“Here we are months later when we have wasted so much time,” said local association chairman Peter Steveney. “She has divided the association in two.”

Ms McIntosh, who has an 11,000 majority, said she was “thrilled and delighted” at the prospect of the ballot.

“The decision on whether to adopt me as the Conservative Party candidate will be taken by all Thirsk and Malton Conservative Association members, in the true spirit of democracy and openness.”

“Having served as MP for Thirsk, Malton and Filey for three years now, it is right and timely to concentrate on priorities for the next election,” she said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in