IPSWICH Conservatives have put off their search for a parliamentary candidate until the New Year.Local activists had been expected to produce a short-list of names this weekend, which would have been put to an open primary in the town on December 13.

By Graham Dines

IPSWICH Conservatives have put off their search for a parliamentary candidate until the New Year.

Local activists had been expected to produce a short-list of names this weekend, which would have been put to an open primary in the town on December 13.

However constituency chairman Gavin Maclure said the delay until after Christmas would enable the party to advertise the vacancy and attract candidates with local connections as well as from the A list which had been drawn up by leader David Cameron to encourage more women and those with minority ethnic backgrounds to apply for winnable seats.

Labour's Chris Mole held Ipswich at the 2005 General Election by a majority of 5,332. The Tories need a swing of 6.37% for victory.

The Liberal Democrats are expected to choose their candidate early in the New Year.