The Tories are short of the 100 election candidates needed to complete the conference

Earlier this year, Greg Hands, the party's chairman, said he was «accelerating» the pace of growth in the economy. Selecting candidates Photo: Rashid Nejati/Getty

The Conservative Party is far behind its deadline to find 100 candidates for the next election by its annual conference, an analysis has found.

Earlier in This Year Greg Hands, the party's chairman, said he was «fast-tracking» the selection of candidates to have 100 potential MPs by the time the Tories meet at the Manchester conference, which starts on Sunday.

In an email sent to MPs and published by the Huffington Post, Mr Hands said: “We all know how important it is to give our potential parliamentary candidates the time they need to build their name recognition, build their local profile and visit as many thresholds.» perhaps up and down their constituencies.

“Having as many people as possible as early as possible is a vital step in our election readiness.”

By the time of the conference, he said that «my intention was for the party to have 100 potential parliamentary candidates.»

Labor Party accused Rishi Sunak of «trying to inspire someone» to stand for his party at the next general election Photo: Paul Grover/The Telegraph

However, analysis by Labor found that only 65 have chosen the Tories so far new candidates for the general election, with the party also having candidates for three upcoming by-elections.

Labor said the list places more emphasis on England and the South, reflecting «old habits stubbornly concentrating» on the traditionally safer southern regions.

Fifty-four potential parliamentary candidates hold seats in England, one in Wales and 10 in Scotland. Labor said the 38 candidates selected so far are from the London, East, South West and South East regions.

However, a Conservative party source said the pattern reflected higher numbers of vacancies in those regions. .

Mocking Tory efforts

Mocking Tory efforts, Ellie Reeves, Labour's deputy national campaign coordinator, said: “After 13 years of failure, it is no surprise that Tory HQ is unable to keep even the simplest promises.< /p>

“Rishi Sunak appears to be struggling to inspire anyone to want to put his name next to the Conservative logo on a ballot paper.

“Labour prides itself on fielding a list of candidates who are committed to serving their communities and the fight for a better Britain.»

The Conservative campaign declined to comment.

In July, The Telegraph published an analysis showing more Tory MPs were expected to resign at the election . There are more voters than at any time since Labor's victory in 1997.

Almost 50 Conservatives have said they plan to leave parliament rather than contest elections expected next year.

p>However, a number of high-profile candidates were also successful in qualifying for the election.

Olympic gold medal-winning rower James Cracknell was selected for Colchester.

Rupert Harrison, former George Osborne's councilor has been elected in Bicester and Woodstock, while Nick Timothy, a former adviser to Theresa May and columnist for The Telegraph, is standing for election in West Suffolk.