Conservatives pick Christine Emmett as Corby candidate

Former constituency MP Louise Mensch had a high profile during the phone-hacking hearings

The Conservatives have chosen Christine Emmett as their candidate for the Corby and East Northamptonshire by-election.

The election was called after Louise Mensch, who is also a novelist, decided in August to stand down as the Conservative MP for the constituency.

Mrs Mensch, who is moving to New York, won the marginal seat in 2010 with a 1,951-vote majority.

Andy Sawford is the Labour candidate for the by-election and Jill Hope will represent the Liberal Democrats.

Family reasons

Ms Emmett said: "I feel truly honoured to have been selected as the Conservative candidate for Corby and East Northants and I relish the chance to fight the upcoming by-election.

"Local people want a local candidate who listens to them and knows how to get things done. I have experience across a number of sectors, having raised money for charity, worked with the health service and run my own business.

"I want to use my understanding and knowledge to represent the people of Corby and East Northants."

Mrs Mensch is moving to New York with her three children to be with her husband Peter Mensch, who is the manager of rock band Metallica.

Before entering politics she made her name as a best-selling chick-lit author, under her maiden name Bagshawe.

She said she was finding it increasingly difficult to juggle family responsibilities with her political career.

Campaign views

Mr Sawford, the son of former Labour MP for Kettering, Phil Sawford, said: "I will stand up for local communities against the Tory cuts that are unfairly hitting Corby and East Northamptonshire, hurting voluntary organisations, taking away basic things like street lighting, and cutting police officers.

"I am looking forward to working with Labour's team locally, including our great local councillors, and talking with residents about Labour's alternative, to show that we have the best ideas for the future of our local economy and local services."

Ms Hope said: "Liberal Democrat influence has made this a far better government for local people than if the Tories were governing alone, and as MP I would make sure we deliver more tax cuts for ordinary people and not for millionaires.

"The people of Corby and East Northamptonshire want a full-time MP who will fight for them and for the things that matter to them. That is what I promise to deliver if they vote for me to be their new MP."