Wednesday 29 August 2012

Andrew Strauss could be Tory candidate for Corby

Former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss has barely pulled off his pads for the last time and speculation is flying around concerning him becoming the Tory candidate for Corby.

A report on the Northampton Chronicle's website suggests the former England skipper could be the man to fill Louise Mensch’s shoes (metaphorically, clearly) at the upcoming by-election in the constituency.

The newspaper reports that Paul Staines, posting under his Guido Fawkes pseudonym on his OrderOrder blog, suggested: ‘Many have been wondering why England captain Andrew Strauss has quit international cricket. While it’s probably has more to do with his bad couple of years at the crease and major dramas in the dressing room, it’s well known that Andrew is a Tory and rumoured that he has an interest in moving into politics. He raised £25,000 for the party at a 2011 fund-raiser.'

Corby borough councillor Rob McKellar told the Chronicle: ‘I couldn’t rule out voting for Andrew Strauss as a Conservative candidate if the rumours were to be true. I would like our next MP to be somebody who lives in the constituency and who has Corby and East Northamptonshire at heart.

‘But that is not to say a high-profile candidate couldn’t achieve this, while raising the profile of the area at the same time.’