People of north east Fife given chance to choose general election candidate

Tens of thousands of people in north-east Fife will be given the opportunity for the first time to choose a candidate for next year’s general election.

The Scottish Conservatives will hold an open primary in the constituency to select the party’s candidate for next year’s Westminster contest.

All those registered to vote in the area can register to take part in the selection process, as well as local party members, with 62,969 people eligible to vote in the last election in 2010.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP said: “This is a unique opportunity for the public to have a bigger say in the democratic process.

“The Scottish Conservative Party is changing and we want candidates who have real resonance in the communities they serve.”

Parliamentary candidates are normally chosen by local party members.

Using the open primary method, the party still decides who gets on the initial shortlist but people can then give their verdict on their preferred candidate at a hustings event.

The move could be seen as the Conservatives reckoning they have an outside chance in a Liberal Democrat stronghold, with current MP, Sir Menzies Campbell, retiring next year.