MAGGIE Throup, who is standing for the Colne Valley seat at the next General Election, enjoyed a visit from Tory leader Michael Howard's wife Sandra yesterday.
The pair were on a whistle-stop tour of the area and dropped into Lindley Methodist Church and chatted with local party members and minister Rev Rob Hilton.
Mrs Howard, 62, said she was pleased to be able to help out and added: "I'm here to support Maggie, who is our candidate and who is doing a wonderful job."
Mrs Howard brushed off suggestions of a rift in the local Conservative party after the surprise departure of former parliamentary candidates Mike Flynn and Amanda Harland.
She said: "That's all resolved now and in the past."
Ms Throup, who hails from Bradford, said she had received support from the people she had spoken to when she was out campaigning.
But the pair said they did not believe in a system of all women shortlists, as employed by Labour, to increase the number of female MPs.
Mrs Howard said: "We want the best candidate, whether female or male, and the cream will always rise to the top."
Ms Throup added: "I wouldn't want people to think I got where I am because I'm a woman, it's through personal achievement and that's the best way."
