MAIL ONLINE: David Cameron hopes to more than treble the number of female Tory MPs and boast up to 15 ethnic minority members if he wins the general election.
Inisiders say his candidate selection policy will have the 'Obama effect' and change the face of the white, male-dominated party.
Currently the Tories have 18 women and two ethnic minority MPs - Adam Afriyie, who represents Windsor, and shadow minister Shailesh Vara, MP for north-west Cambridgeshire.
But the number of black, Asian and other minorities could rise tenfold at the next election, as a direct result of Central Office's decision to impose a greater number of 'suitable' candidates on local associations.
Five sitting female MPs are stepping down but 33 female candidates have been selected in 117 target seats, along with six ethnic minority candidates.
So far 149 women have been selected to stand overall and the party hopes to see between ten to 15 minority MPs and 60 women after the election.
An Iraqi-born businessman who fled Saddam Hussain's regime has become the 44th ethnic minority candidate to be selected. YouGov co-founder Nadhim Zahawi was chosen to represent the safe seat of Stratford-upon-Avon following a five-hour meeting on Friday night. >>> Nick McDermott and Gerry Peev | Monday, February 22, 2010
