A newpaper columnist, a former MP and a constituency chairman are among those lining up for the position of Tory candidate in Billericay, it was today revealed.

The Echo understands the shortlist to be Malcolm Buckley, John Baron, Claire Strong, former Shrewsbury MP Derek Conway and Telegraph columist Paul Goodman. This will be whittled down to three or four later this week prior to a final selection meeting on Friday.

The shortlist is sparked by the retirement of current MP Teresa Gorman .

Mr Conway, 47, who lost his Shrewsbury seat in the 1997 General Election, was among the four candidates shortlisted to be Tory candidate at the Kensington and Chelsea by-election last year. The seat was eventually taken by shadow chancellor Michael Portillo.

Leader of Tyne and Wear Council in the late 1970s, Mr Conway also served for four years as a Government Whip under John Major.

Mr Baron, a former Army officer, fought unsuccessfully for the Basildon seat in 1997 and is thought to be a front-runner for Mrs Gorman's position.

The most well-known candidate in the area is Wickford councillor Malcom Buckley. Until recently he had also served a sucessful term as chairman of the Billericay Conservative Association.

Mr Goodman is an experienced and highly respected columnist for the Daily and Sunday Telegraph.

Ms Strong is believed to have considerable experience as a council leader.

Frank Tomlin, chairman of the Billericay Conservative Association, said he did not intend to comment prior to the final selection meeting on Friday.

He added: "I do not think it is appropriate to confirm the names of any of those on the shortlist at this stage.

"I would not want our members to be influenced by anything they might have read in the press."

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