The past few months have seen a stand off between Anne McIntosh MP and the Thirsk and Malton Conservative Association.

What has to date been a war of words has now led to Conservative Party headquarters ordering a postal ballot of all members to determine whether or not Ms McIntosh should be the association’s candidate at the 2015 General Election.

It is hoped the ballot will end the internecine warfare which has blighted Conservative political and fundraising activities in Thirsk and Malton for several years, creating schisms and unpleasantness.

However, the rules underpinning the ballot are themselves divisive in that they allow the sitting MP to canvass support by the use of a sheet of A4 paper to accompany the ballot papers, but permit no similar facility to the officers of the local association, who are allowed to put their case only by word of mouth.

The result is that the MP’s case will be read at a glance by all 560 members of the association when they receive their ballot papers, but that they will hear nothing of the counter position unless they happen to connect, by telephone or in conversation, with those representing that view.

Some of us believe true democracy is being thwarted in the interests of resolving this acrimonious dispute.

Murray Naylor, former chairman of Thirsk and Malton Conservative Association; Simon Wood, former chairman of the association; Ashley Burgess, former president of Ryedale Conservative Association.