Tories continue drive to increase number of ethnic minority MPs

London: The Tories have taken another step in their bid to become a more representative party.

Last month, British Asian Priti Patel was chosen to contest the new seat of Witham, Essex, for the Conservatives. Now Kulveer Ranger, a Sikh on David Cameron's "A-list" of candidates, could become the first turban-wearing MP.

The 31-year-old management consultant from Osterley is set to be selected to contest a winnable seat at the next election as part of Cameron's drive to increase the number of ethnic minority and female Tory MPs.

Ranger, who grew up in Hounslow after his parents emigrated from east Africa in the '60s, works for the Nichols Group and has a degree in architecture. He is an adviser to shadow trade minister Alan Duncan and a diversity adviser to shadow attorney general Dominic Grieve.

He is being considered for the Labour-held seat of Brentford and Isleworth after narrowly losing out in the race to contest former Tory leader Michael Howard's Folkestone and Hythe seat.

A party source said: "Kulveer is an extremely intelligent young man with a bright future in politics, professional credentials and a solid understanding of green issues."