A doctor, who worked as a forensic medical examiner with Devon and Cornwall Police, has won the first-ever postal selection process to choose a Parliamentary candidate.

Dr Sarah Wollaston will represent the Conservatives in the Totnes constituency after winning what is believed to the first election of its kind held by a British political party. She beat her nearest rival, the sitting Mayor of Torbay, by a margin of over two-to one.

Dr Wollaston said she hoped that some form of open vote could be introduced for all prospective parliamentary candidates. But, sources within the Conservative party said that the forty thousand pound cost of the postal ballot would rule out similar competitions nationally.

The reported turnout was 24.6% compared to 61.4% in the last General Election.

 source - society of expert witness