Following the release of the names by the local press earlier today, North Oxfordshire Conservative Association have now confirmed the four shortlisted female candidates hoping to be selected on Saturday 8th November as the Conservative candidate for Banbury next year. Having been the MP since 1983, Sir Tony Baldry announced in early September that he would be standing down at the general election, leaving a majority of 18,227 to his successor.

The shortlisted candidates are:

• Kemi Badenoch – Has worked as a systems analyst and is now an Associate Director in financial services; graduated in both computer systems engineering and law; Conservative PPC for Dulwich & West Norwood in 2010 and stood for the London Assembly elections in 2012
• Rachel Joyce – An NHS Doctor and former Director of Public Health; former adviser to Andrew Lansley as Shadow Health Secretary and Conservative PPC for Harrow West in 2010; longlisted for Croydon South and Cambridgeshire South East
• Victoria Prentis – A barrister and senior civil servant in the Treasury Solicitor’s Department
• Helen Whately – An Associate with McKinsey & Co specialising in healthcare; Conservative PPC for Kingston & Surbiton in 2010; shortlisted in Andrew Lansley’s South Cambridgeshire seat, Wealden, Hampshire North East, this week’s Bury St Edmunds contest and came close to reaching the shortlist in South Suffolk.

Edit: Some additional info added courtesy of ConHome.