TORY party chairman Richard Holden has vowed to “relentlessly campaign on the issues that really matter” after his controversial selection in Basildon and Billericay.

Mr Holden was named as the Conservative candidate in the ward after a meeting on Wednesday night where he won over senior association members.

Loyal Tories in Basildon and Billericay had initially accused Tory HQ of a “stitch up” after he was the only potential candidate offered by the national party.

Deputy chairman of the association, Phil Turner, raised concerns over Mr Holden being imposed in the area, however he stated the party chairman “gave a really impressive account of himself”.

After his selection Mr Holden said: “Although I have been selected unanimously to be the Conservative candidate here, I don’t take any votes for granted.

“I will fight for each and every one of you.

“If I am privileged enough to represent Basildon and Billericay in Parliament, I will relentlessly campaign on the issues that really matter to people here, protecting our greenbelt, improving our roads and boosting transport connectivity.

“The work starts today; I can’t wait to begin.”

Mr Holden has represented North West Durham, nearly 300 away, since 2019.

Tory association chairman, Dr Richard Moore noted that Mr Holden “sold himself” well to party members.

He said: “He hasn’t been born here and he haven’t lived here but he has a reasonable amount of expertise.

“He is energetic, and he really sold himself, not only as an MP but as chairman.

“He has energy and can bring something different.”

Basildon and Billericay has been represented by veteran Tory MP John Baron since 2010, but he announced last October he would be leaving Parliament.

Mr Turner admitted the saga “could have ended in catastrophe”.

He added: “He spent a lot of time on Wednesday night under hard questioning and fact finding and he gave a really impressive account of himself.

“I am mad at Conservative Campaign Headquarters and their arrogance for the way they dismissed a sovereign body, we have no stomach or appetite for it and yesterday they got away with blue murder.

“It could have ended in catastrophe.”

The Labour candidate in Basildon and Billericay is Alex Harrison, with Stephen Conlay standing for Reform UK and Stewart Goshawk picked for the Greens.