The Conservative Party has played down the short window of time they have to find a new candidate for Norwich North before the next general election.
The Tories hope to start the selection process in January - but no further details on when the nominee would be in post have yet been announced.
The high-profile resignation of Nick Rose just three weeks after his selection has left the seat without a Tory candidate - with current MP Chloe Smith set to step down at the next election.
This comes as parties gear up for a general election, which could take place as early as spring but must be held before January 28 2025.
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A spokesman for the Conservative headquarters (CCHQ) told this newspaper: "Rest assured, information regarding the selection process will be revealed in due course, as the local association adheres to selection procedures.
"We are committed to ensuring that there will be a candidate who will represent the people of Norwich North."
David Campbell-Bannerman, president of the Norwich Conservatives, added: "We want to press on as far as possible in January while ensuring we have a good field of candidates to choose from.
"The campaigning goes on regardless."
The Tory candidate will take on Labour's Alice Macdonald and The Green Party's Ben Price in Norwich North.
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The Liberal Democrats are yet to put forward a candidate.
When could a general election be held?
The next general election must be held before the end of January 2025, but it is widely expected to be held sometime next year.
The majority of political commentators believe that it will take place either in spring or autumn 2024.
Earlier this week, the chancellor announced that the spring budget will take place on March 6 which is slightly earlier than normal. This has led to people speculating that it could signal that the Tories are preparing for a spring election.
However conventional wisdom suggests it would make more sense for him to hang on until the autumn, giving the economy more time to recover.
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