COMMENT: More Conservative hopefuls looking to replace Horsham MP Francis Maude

Sussex Decides 2015 General Election SUS-150226-125523001

Several Conservative candidates are believed to have thrown their hats into the ring to succeed Francis Maude as Horsham’s next MP .

Mr Maude’s shock announcement that he would not be restanding in May has caused a flurry of excitement in political circles.

The Horsham Conservative Association is due to hold the meeting to decide its choice of candidate today (Thursday March 12) and prior to that the names of several potential runners have emerged.

Alan Young, who is one of the youngest Conservatives on Surrey County Council and represents the division of Cranleigh and Ewhurst, which adjoins the Horsham constituency, is understood to be considering applying for the seat.

His ward has been faced with similar challenges to Horsham such as housebuilding pressures and proposals for a second runway at Gatwick. He is a partner in an investment firm and is married with two young children.

More details can be found on his website.

Meanwhile Kristy Adams, a Bedford borough councillor who says on her website she is ‘delighted to have qualified to be considered by Conservative associations to become an MP candidate’, has sent several tweets from the Horsham area over the last few days. She has visited Southwater, Broadbridge Heath, Billingshurst, and Horsham itself. She grew up in Sussex.