CONSERVATIVES have remained tight-lipped about the identities of those selected to take part in party parliamentary selection hustings next week.

Party members are expected to make their choice from four short-listed candidates at a special meeting of the constituency party members on Thursday evening.

Chairman of the party locally Rod Bowker said the identities of the short-listed contenders will not be made public – on the advice of Conservative Central Office.

He said: “We are very keen that everything is done fairly so that we select the best possible person as our candidate.”

He would not be drawn on whether any sitting parliamentarians or former parliamentarians have come forward but the Andover Advertiser understands that none have – meaning that Mayor of London Boris Johnson has not allowed his name to go forward.