A GROUP of farmers and Conservative supporters will stage a protest today (Wednesday, May 8) outside their party’s constituency office in support of their MP.

The campaigners have condemned a decision by the executive committee of Thirsk and Malton Conservatives not to automatically adopt Anne McIntosh as its candidate for the next general election.

They said the decision, which was made in January by 42 non-elected members, was unconstitional.

The protestors, led by Sheriff Hutton farmer Eric Weightman, will present a petition signed by more than 100 people to the association at its Malton offices, ahead of a meeting of its executive tonight (Wednesday, May 8).

The petition will ask the executive to reconsider its decision to offer the MP a chance to be reselected at an open panel meeting or through an open postal ballot.

Mr Weightman said: “I feel she has been treated very badly by the association’s hierarchy which would appear to want someone else in.

“Quite a few people are very angry about this as she is on our level and understands the issues we are facing.

“She comes into the markets and pubs and talks to anybody, whereas some MPs you only see when they want your vote.”

Senior members of the association say they want Miss McIntosh to judged alongside other prospective candidates due to the amount of attention she devotes to her constituency and her stance on some issues.

While members of the executive refused to specify why the row had developed, they said it was “between activists and armchair supporters showing blind loyalty” and was damaging the association’s reputation.

It is understood the executive has become increasingly frustrated that Miss McIntosh has not responded to requests over how the selection process should proceed.

Miss McIntosh, who has been a Conservative MP in North Yorkshire since 1997, was unavailable for comment yesterday, but has previously stated there was no agreed time frame for deciding upon the selection process.

She said: "I fully intend to work though the procedures. "It will be for the members locally to decide, but I have been bowled over by the level of support that has been made known to me, which is very humbling."