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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tories fail to decide on Cormack | Tories fail to decide on Cormack |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A vote to decide the political future of veteran Conservative MP Sir Patrick Cormack has ended in a tie. | A vote to decide the political future of veteran Conservative MP Sir Patrick Cormack has ended in a tie. |
| The failure of the South Staffordshire Conservatives' executive council to reach a decision means the matter will go to a vote by all local Tory members. | The failure of the South Staffordshire Conservatives' executive council to reach a decision means the matter will go to a vote by all local Tory members. |
| In February, Sir Patrick was deselected as candidate at the next election by just one vote but that ballot was later declared null and void. | |
| The 68-year-old has represented the area in the Commons since 1970. | The 68-year-old has represented the area in the Commons since 1970. |
| 'Exercise his right' | |
| A Conservative spokesman said: "A very significant number of members of the executive council voted and the result was a tie. | |
| "As a result of this, Sir Patrick will exercise his right for the matter to be referred to the full membership of the South Staffordshire Conservative Association, who will decide whether he should be re-selected as a Conservative candidate to fight the next election". | |
| The deselection vote in February was declared null and void after a probe uncovered irregularities. | |
| It was found more votes had been cast than there were people at the meeting. | |
| There were also accusations that a number of those entitled to attend had not received notice of it. | |
| At the last general election, Sir Patrick secured a swing to the Conservatives of 9.4% - the largest pro-Tory surge in support for any candidate. | |
| Last month, with the agreement of Sir Patrick, local party officials ordered a secret postal ballot of the executive council. | |
| One member, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concern that there had been a significant change in the membership of that body since the February meeting. | |
| He feared that a number of new members were hostile to Sir Patrick, who entered the Commons as MP for Cannock in 1970. | |
| Under boundary changes, the seat successively became South West Staffordshire in 1974 and South Staffordshire in 1983. |