Kelly Tolhurst has won the open primary to be Conservative candidate for Rochester and Strood, I understand. The result is not due to be announced until this evening, but I hear that Tolhurst won by fewer than 50 votes on a turnout of 4,000.
The turnout is the key in this as it will give some indication as to the level of interest in the constituency in the Conservative candidate. It is worth bearing in mind that the turnout in Sarah Wollaston’s open primary in Totnes was 16,497. That much lower turnout in a more high-profile contest following a defection will add to party worries following yet another poll showing Ukip ahead in the constituency.
UPDATE, 20.10: Tolhurst has been confirmed as the candidate. The turnout was slightly higher than my source told me, at 5,688, but still much lower than the Tories might have hoped and another reason for the party to worry that Ukip could indeed win.
Total Number of Ballots returned: 5,688
Anna Firth received 49.56%
Kelly Tolhurst received 50.44%
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