![Scramble for candidates as Gove leads the Tory exodus](https://cdn.magzter.com/1591272633/1716608921/articles/71i9hnI9f1716623103941/SCRAMBLE-FOR-CANDIDATES-AS-GOVE-LEADS-THE-TORY-EXODUS.jpg)
The Tories are scrambling to find candidates for almost a third of constituencies after Rishi Sunak's decision to keep many of his party's senior figures in the dark about his decision to call a snap election.
It is understood that when Mr Sunak made his rain-sodden announcement on the steps of Downing Street on Wednesday afternoon, candidates for 191 of the 650 seats still needed to be selected.
Since then more vacancies have occurred with a number of Tory MPs announcing they will retire - the total now stands at 78, breaking the 1997 record of 75. This dramatically included levelling-up secretary Michael Gove and former leadership candidate Andrea Leadsom last night.
Party chiefs are desperately appealing to prospective candidates to put themselves forward for seats - many of which they are projected to lose heavily - with the Conservatives expected to still be putting up batches of adverts for constituencies over the weekend.
Political commentator Sir Anthony Seldon, a biographer of six prime ministers, said: "Surprise is always a smart tactic for a general, but it's the enemy who should be surprised, not your own side. The Conservatives are going to have to move PDQ to fill their remaining empty seats to show that they are truly a national party."
Former cabinet minister David Jones said he was "not sure why" the button had been pressed for an election "without close to a full slate of candidates being chosen". He added: "It is a huge commitment [to be a candidate]. People's lives are literally going to be turned upside down. That is even more true for those who are being selected now. At least some will have had two years' preparation but the ones selected now will have very little time to get ready."
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 25, 2024 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 25, 2024 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
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To many, Kevin Campbell is the answer to a famous football trivia question. To Everton fans, he was simply \"Super Kev\".
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Italy display class to win after shock of early goal
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Yamal dazzles as new-look Spain get down to business
A new Spain, in more ways than one. As Lamine Yamal, who was not even a year old when they won Euro 2008, became first the youngest footballer to play in a European Championships and then, before half-time, the youngest to set up a goal in one, Luis de la Fuente’s side made a break with the past.
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Gareth Southgate says playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in central midfield is an \"opportunity worth grasping\" that could be \"incredibly special\".
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Mea culpa: sorry to be going on about ongoing yet again
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A Kate no-show would have fed the hungry rumour mill
The prospect of Trooping the Colour without royalty's star turn felt a bit like Britain's sun-free summer. Flat. But with impeccable timing, accompanied by a photograph of the Princess of Wales in \"the woods\" (she's not out of them yet), Kate rallied for the monarchy's flagship event. Despite her cautious words, the princess clearly felt strong enough to bank on the King’s birthday parade being a “good day” rather than a “bad” one.
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If Labour wins with a majority bigger than Tony Blair's, Keir Starmer will be hailed as a colossus. He will deserve to be. It doesn't matter how lucky he has been, or how much the Conservative Party appears to be run by secret agents of the opposition, the Labour leader has positioned himself astutely and not messed up.