UK News 03-11-1999 Portillo To Stand For Kensington Seat who: Michael Portillo what: Clinches Tory nomination for Kensington and Chelsea where: KENSINGTON when: Yesterday snippet: "Michael Portillo made a triumphant return to frontline politics last night as he clinched the Tory nomination for Kensington and Chelsea by a landslide," reports The Independent. "Thirty months after his spectacular fall from grace at the general election, the former defence secretary secured the candidacy by 60 per cent of the vote on the first ballot." "If he wins the by-election, caused by the death of the former MP Alan Clark," reports The Times, "Mr Portillo will be sitting in the House of Commons by the end of the month. The Tories will today formally move the writ for the poll to be held on November 25". The selection provoked predictable derision from the other parties. "It is a telling insight into the self-delusion of the Conservatives," said Liberal Democrat Malcolm Bruce, "that they think Michael Portillo is the knight in shining armour who can rescue them from defeat." [... more]

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