Tories break new political ground

On a grim November evening, BBC North West political editor Jim Hancock watched the Conservatives make British political history by allowing non-party members to help choose their candidate.

Three hundred people attended Britain's first American style primary election in Warrington on Wednesday night.

The Conservative Party invited ordinary members of the public to help them choose their parliamentary candidate in Warrington South.

Fiona Bruce, a solicitor from Stockton Heath in the constituency, easily beat two male candidates on the first ballot.

The seat is held by Labour's Helen Southworth who enjoys a 7,000 majority.

End to secrecy?

The Tories spent £10,000 on publicising and mounting the first primary election in British political history.

Normally the selection of parliamentary candidates is a process that political parties try and conduct in secrecy.

Party officials draw up shortlists with only paid up members of the local party making the final choice behind closed doors.

But at the Parr Hall, Warrington last night 300 people turned up on a grim November evening to hear the three candidates speak and take questions.

Sense of ownership

It was clear that the local candidate, Ms Bruce, got the best response from the audience and it was no surprise when she won easily when the audience was invited to vote.

It is estimated that at least two thirds of the audience were not Conservative Party members.

Some made it clear that although they had selected Ms Bruce, they would not vote for her in the general election.

But Tory officials, including representatives from Central Office in London,anxiously watching this first experiment in full democracy, hope that some who attended will now have a sense of ownership of the process and will vote for Ms Bruce.