Just 80 people sign up for Dudley South Conservative open primary

Dudley South Conservatives have decided to blow a big chunk of their election spending limit on an open primary publicity stunt attracting just 80 voters.

The Tories tried the open primary idea out in Rochester where they spent most - if not all - of their £100k spending limit on posting ballot papers to every household for them to choose between the two candidates on their all-woman shortlist. Only 0.88% of voters in Rochester bothered to take part which was pretty embarrassing but a marked improvement on the 0.13% of the 61k voters in Dudley South.

Chris Kelly is standing down as MP for Dudley South in May.