THOSE of us whose memories go back to the 1980s, may recall that York’s last Tory MP was not a native of this city.

Nor was his Labour successor, although he chose to move to York a few years before his eventual election.

Suitable prospective local candidates are few and far between. Local authority politicians are sometimes successfully elevated to a Parliamentary career.

Other hopefuls have been rejected in favour of external candidates.

Do I recall that a one-time prominent Lib Dem councillor here in York was not selected by his party for Westminster glory?

York Conservatives are perhaps fortunate to find a homegrown candidate this time around.

But “parachuting” comparisons with his principle rival are odious.

The person best suited to the job is always selected by every party, usually regardless of where they currently live.

Paul Hepworth, Windmill Rise, Holgate, York