Right wins Tory selection

William Hague: Accused of shifting party to right

Conservatives in John Major's constituency have selected a right-wing candidate to succeed him when he retires at the next general election.

Jonathan Djanogly, a local councillor in London, beat off competition from more than 208 other Tory hopefuls to clinch the ultra-safe seat of Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, at a meeting on Friday night.

Jonathan Djanogly beat over 200 other candidiates

Mr Djanogly is a member of the hard line Conservative Way Forward group - the organisation that became a source of unending irritation to his predecessor.

His selection is seen as further evidence of a move to the right by the Tory Party.

Mr Djanogly, a 35-year-old corporate finance solicitor and the heir to a family fortune, told Conservatives in Huntingdon that he would not let them down.

"This is the premiere seat in the country," he said.

Political differences

"But I will make the point that the majority on this seat is John Major's majority, it is the Conservative's majority. I have a lot to live up to."

The former prime minister has played down any political difference between him and the newly selected candidate.

John Major is retiring

"An awful lot of members of Parliament, an awful lot of people I have worked with for years, are members of different Conservative groups, including Conservative Way Forward," said Mr Major.

"The fact there were a handful of people in that who were very difficult ought not to mar the general position of Conservative Way Forward as an entity.

"I think some of the comment about that has been frankly very silly."

Mr Djanogly's selection was the culmination of an intensive seven-day process.

Mr Major announced his decision to stand down last March.