Comeback trail: Esther McVey and Zac Goldsmith selected as Tory election candidates
ESTHER McVey and Zac Goldsmith are to fight to return to Westminster after being adopted as Tory election candidates.
Zac Goldsmith on standing again: It's a practical decision
The two former MPs had been on course for high-profile Commons careers before losing their seats.
Mrs McVey has been selected as Conservative candidate for Tatton, the Cheshire seat represented by former chancellor George Osborne.
She had been rising up the ministerial ladder but lost her Wirral West seat to Labour at the 2015 election.
Esther McVey and Zac Goldsmith have been named Tory election candidates
Mr Osborne, is quitting Parliament to become editor of the London Evening Standard, hailed her selection as his possible successor.
After a resounding victory in the 2015 General Election, his absence from Parliament since last December has been a disappointment
He described her as "a real star", adding: "I couldn't have a better successor."
Mr Goldsmith, a prominent Brexit campaigner, is to fight to regain the Richmond Park seat he lost to the Lib Dems in a by-election fought last December over the issue of the expansion of Heathrow Airport.
He has returned to the Tories after resigning from the party and standing as an Independent candidate.
Esther McVey has been selected as Conservative candidate for Tatton
Despite the Government's backing for Heathrow expansion, he will continue to oppose the policy.
Constituency chairman Georgina Butler said: "We are delighted that Zac Goldsmith has been reselected as the Conservative candidate for Richmond Park and North Kingston in the forthcoming General Election, and we look forward to having him back again as our representative in Parliament.
"After a resounding victory in the 2015 General Election, his absence from Parliament since last December has been a disappointment.
"He is widely regarded the best MP that Richmond Park and North Kingston has ever had, and we need him back to represent our residents effectively.
"Far from being a hardened Brexiteer as his opponents have painted him, he will fight for the best deal for Britain.
Zac Goldsmith has been selected as Conservative candidate for Richmond Park
Esther McVey - The Facts
"He has led on guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens in the UK, and is a champion of strong protection for the environment.
"He will also continue to lead the fight against Heathrow expansion, an issue which continues to concern our residents."
The by-election defeat marked the second setback for Mr Goldsmith within months, after he lost to Sadiq Khan in the 2016 London mayoral election.