The Conservative North West European Parliamentary candidates have now been selected. It was a fasinating experience to interview each of the prospective candidates, along with other Party members, and grill them on their views on the EU, our relationship with it and on the planned referendum. It was only a little earlier this year that I was in a similar position being selected as the Westminster candidate for Bolton West.
With Sir Robert Atkins standing down, I am delighted to see Jacqueline Foster MEP and Sajjad Karim MEP head our Euro list. As there are eight NW MEP positions, we have eight candidates and the full list is:
1. Jacqueline Foster MEP
2. Sajjad Karim MEP
3. Kevin Beaty
4. Deborah Dunleavy
5. Joe Barker
6. Daniel Hamilton
7. Chris Whiteside
8. James Walsh
I shall look forward to campaigning with them in the months ahead for the 2014 European Elections and then the 2015 British General Election.