AN AMERICAN-style “primary” will take place this month to choose the new Conservative candidate to fight a Wirral ward at the next council election.
The borough’s Tories have decided to run a trial primary, in which all voters from the ward can take part, irrespective of which party they eventually vote for, to choose who will fight the Leasowe and Moreton East ward.
It is believed to be the first time in Merseyside the public – rather than just party members – will be asked to choose the candidate for a council election.
Cllr Ian Lewis, who last year won his seat in the same formerly “rock solid” Labour ward, said their aim was to open up the political system to the wider public at an earlier stage – and hopefully engage more people in politics.
A similar “primary” style of choosing a candidate was used in 2006 to select Conservative Jeff Clarke to fight for the Wirral South constituency at the next election.
Last month, the Conservatives also announced their candidates for an open primary-style election to decide who will contest the Totnes seat in Devon at the next General Election, replacing ex-Liverpool MP Anthony Steen.
In Leasowe and Moreton East, about 4,000 ballot papers will be sent out after the candidates have been interviewed by party members, with the aim of selecting a candidate by early September.
Cllr Lewis said: “Anyone who wants to register can take part if they live in the ward and are eligible to vote.
“We are doing this for the right reasons, because we want to open things up.
“Many people see local politics as a closed shop.
“Initially, it will be just for Leasowe and Moreton East, but if it is a success here in Wallasey, we are hoping other areas will take it up.”
Party members are still interviewing prospective candidates and those who want to stand for election in the seat – currently held by Labour’s Iris Coates – will have their names and a short piece about them sent out to voters in the ward, who will then be asked to select one.”
Voters in the ward can register at office@wallaseyconserv atives.com or by calling 0151-639 4195.
