Parliament and Politics: Taylor aims to become an MEP

SIR Teddy Taylor, one of the most vociferous Tory critics of Britain's membership of the European Union, announced yesterday that he will seek nomination as a Euro-MP.

Sir Teddy, MP for Southend East, has put his name forward for selection as Tory candidate for the seat of Essex South, newly created by the boundary changes. His plan will severely embarrass Conservative Central Office because it is likely to reopen deep divisions within the party over Europe.

Sir Teddy, 56, is likely to attract a good deal of Thatcherite support in the new constituency, which is based on the right-wing strongholds of Southend and Billericay.