‘No hard feelings’ for Anne, as MP says she won’t run
‘I didn’t want this election to be about me’, as door left open for Hollinrake
Conservative MP Anne McIntosh has announced she won’t fight the party that deselected her in May’s General Election – claiming she didn’t want to steal the headlines.
The Filey, Thirsk and Malton MP, who was controversially dumped by the party amidst infighting, said she bore no “ill will” against the local Conservatives who campaigned against her.
But she said one of the reasons for not standing is that she didn’t want that spat to dominate the run-up to the election.
“I believe this is the right time to put myself first and foremost on a different path,” she told a packed press conference at Pickering Conservative Club.
“I believe that this election is going to be an extremely difficult election.
“I think it’s going to be a very close-fought election, potentially a very divisive election. I do not wish to be the story in that election.”
The announcement gives her replacement Kevin Hollin rake a clear path to Westminster, with the businessman now red- hot favourite to retain the Tory safe seat for the party.
At Friday’s conference, Miss McIntosh called for local unity in the party ranks ahead of the May 7 vote, which to date, will see Mr Hollinrake stand against four other candidates.
She had a parting pop at Labour’s “inept stewardship” in the previous parliament – before praising David Cameron.
In the wake of her deselection, mystery and speculation surrounded McIntosh’s plans.
Nei g hbouring Scarborough MP Robert Goodwill even publicly commented that he felt she was drumming up support for a bid.
But she laid that speculation to rest, announcing she would campaign in marginal seats for other Tory candidates.