More than 200 Tories are vying to become the party's Parliamentary candidate in a "safe" constituency, writes David Horne.

Nominations for the vacancy in Witney, caused by the defection of sitting MP Shaun Woodward from Conservative to Labour, closed at the weekend.

Constituency chairman Barry Tanswell said yesterday: "It is a very popular seat, a bit of a jewel in the crown.

"Despite what's happened recently, it is obviously still regarded as one of the safest seats in the country for us."

Names of candidates are kept secret, but are believed to include some ex-Tory MPs who lost their seats in the 1997 Labour landslide general election. The constituency's 17-member selection commitee will be meeting in the next ten days to sift through the names.

The list will be whittled down to a shortlist, with final selections going to a full meeting of the contituency members on April 4.

Mr Woodward was elected as Tory MP for Witney in 1997, the successor to long-standing MP Douglas Hurd, now Lord Hurd.

Just before Christmas, Mr Woodward switched allegiance to Labour after a row over section 28 of the Local Government Bill and the promotion of homosexuality.

He refuses to call a by-election and has not given a clear assurance he will fight the seat for Labour at the next general election.

Story date: Monday 28 February

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