Former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss is being heavily linked the vacant constituency of Corby and East Northamptonshire as the official Conservative party candidate. Betting firm Ladbrokes had set the price at 50/1 on Strauss to be the candidate but have recently suspended the market on him due to so much interest.
The seat was made vacant when Louise Mensch stood down. The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne today appointed Mrs Mensch to be the "steward and bailiff of the Manor of Northstead"
The candidates currently confirmed are:
Jill Hope - Liberal Democrat Party
Toby Jug - The Official Monster Raving Loony Party
Margot Parker - United Kingdom Independence Party
Andy Sawford - Labour Co-op Party
An opinion poll commissioned by the Conservative peer Lord Ashcroft shows the current state of the parties in Corby as:
Labour Party 52%
Conservative Party 37%
Liberal Democrat Party 7%
Others 4%
The by-election will be held on November 15 2012
