Congratulations to Kemi Badenoch AM, who has won the selection to be Conservative candidate in Saffron Walden. Here’s our sketch biography of her:

The Deputy Leader of the Conservative group on the London Assembly, Badenoch was elected to the Assembly on the London-wide list last year having previously become an Assembly Member after Victoria Borwick moved to become an MP. A former director at the Spectator, she has also worked as an associate director at Coutts & co. With degrees in both Engineering and Law, Badenoch has been a governor of two inner city schools. In 2010, she stood (under her maiden name, Kemi Adegoke) in Dulwich and West Norwood against Tessa Jowell, and was shortlisted in Hampstead and Kilburn last week.

Our commiserations to Stephen Parkinson and Laura Farris, who were defeated in the contest.

In the 2015 General Election, Sir Alan Haselhurst secured a 24,991 majority in the constituency.

PS If Badenoch becomes an MP and vacates her seat on the London Assembly, she will be succeeded by the next person down on the London list – which is Cllr Susan Hall, leader of the Conservative group on Harrow Council.