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The row over Conservative selections won't go away.

I was aware of some muttering locally about the process in Penrith and the Border.

But that with a call for the selection of Rory Stewart to be overturned.

It's difficult to tell how strong any insurrection is. Only one member is quoted in the local newspaper.

It is though more evidence of uppityness amongst local Tories, some of whom see Central Office as an unwelcome and overbearing presence in local selections.

Of course, the selection of non-Cumbrians in the constituency isn't new.

In fact, the Scots seemed to have annexed the seat.

is from the Highlands.

And although the late became a Cumbrian institution, he also arrived from Scotland to take the seat in 1955.

Even, , the seat's first MP (it was only created in 1950), was from Northumberland.

I suppose some would look at that and claim the area's overdue a Cumbrian MP.

But if you look at the affection and respect locally for someone like Willie Whitelaw, you might also wonder whether the issue of where you come from is more crucial than what kind of MP you'll be.

Let me know what you think.

By the way .

According to that at least, there's been plenty of people applying but perhaps not many ultra-local candidates may make the shortlist.

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