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GP wins Tory 'open primary' race GP wins Tory 'open primary' race
(10 minutes later)
A GP has been named as the Tories' next parliamentary candidate for Totnes after thousands voted in an "open primary" selection process.A GP has been named as the Tories' next parliamentary candidate for Totnes after thousands voted in an "open primary" selection process.
Dr Sarah Wollaston will represent the party at the next general election, as current MP Anthony Steen steps down.Dr Sarah Wollaston will represent the party at the next general election, as current MP Anthony Steen steps down.
She got 7,914 votes, Nick Bye got 3,088 while Sara Randall-Johnson got 5,495.She got 7,914 votes, Nick Bye got 3,088 while Sara Randall-Johnson got 5,495.
All 69,000 voters in the Devon constituency were sent a postal ballot, the first time a British party has done this to select a candidate. All 69,000 voters in the Devon seat were sent a postal ballot, a first for a political party in Britain. It is estimated to have cost £40,000.
Dr Wollaston's rivals were both local government leaders - Ms Randall-Johnson is a district council leader while Mr Bye is mayor - while she has admitted she has little political experience. Dr Wollaston's rivals were both local government leaders - Ms Randall-Johnson is a district council leader while Mr Bye is mayor of Torbay - while she has admitted she has little political experience.
'Ordinary person''Ordinary person'
But she has said it is time for "an ordinary person" to stand up for local issues and her experience as a rural GP will stand her in good stead.But she has said it is time for "an ordinary person" to stand up for local issues and her experience as a rural GP will stand her in good stead.
The nature of the contest meant people who belonged to different political parties could take part in the selection process.The nature of the contest meant people who belonged to different political parties could take part in the selection process.
The Tories have held "open primary" contests before in which non-members have been invited to take part in public meetings.The Tories have held "open primary" contests before in which non-members have been invited to take part in public meetings.
The Totnes seat has been held by the Tories since it was created in 1997The Totnes seat has been held by the Tories since it was created in 1997
But this time the party has gone a step further and sent out ballot papers by post to all registered voters and a freepost envelope.But this time the party has gone a step further and sent out ballot papers by post to all registered voters and a freepost envelope.
BBC Newsnight's political editor Michael Crick said the exercise must have cost the party about £40,000, so it was hoping for a much larger turnout than the several hundred party members who would attend a traditional selection meeting.BBC Newsnight's political editor Michael Crick said the exercise must have cost the party about £40,000, so it was hoping for a much larger turnout than the several hundred party members who would attend a traditional selection meeting.
Party chairman Eric Pickles had said a 15% turnout, about 10,000 voters, would be considered a good turnout.Party chairman Eric Pickles had said a 15% turnout, about 10,000 voters, would be considered a good turnout.
Retiring MP Anthony Steen stepped down after details of his expenses claims over four years were published in the Daily Telegraph.Retiring MP Anthony Steen stepped down after details of his expenses claims over four years were published in the Daily Telegraph.
The newspaper said he claimed £87,000 over four years for his country home, including paying a forestry expert to inspect his trees.The newspaper said he claimed £87,000 over four years for his country home, including paying a forestry expert to inspect his trees.
Later he was reprimanded by party leader David Cameron over an interview with the BBC in which he said people were jealous of his "very very large house".Later he was reprimanded by party leader David Cameron over an interview with the BBC in which he said people were jealous of his "very very large house".
Mr Steen apologised, saying he had been "deeply upset" at the time of the interview and had overreacted in the "heat of the moment".Mr Steen apologised, saying he had been "deeply upset" at the time of the interview and had overreacted in the "heat of the moment".
Mr Steen has been an MP in south Devon since 1983, first for South Hams and then for Totnes when the seat was created in 1997.Mr Steen has been an MP in south Devon since 1983, first for South Hams and then for Totnes when the seat was created in 1997.
At the 2005 general election he won with majority of 1,947 over the Liberal Democrat candidate.At the 2005 general election he won with majority of 1,947 over the Liberal Democrat candidate.
The Lib Dems have already chosen their candidate for the constituency, Julian Brazil, while Carole Whitty will fight the seat for Labour.The Lib Dems have already chosen their candidate for the constituency, Julian Brazil, while Carole Whitty will fight the seat for Labour.