WANNABE Cradley Conservative MP Margot James has been accused of “arrogance” by her Labour opponent after accepting an invitation to join a panel of leading MPS for a televised politics show – after the general election.

Sitting MP Lynda Waltho, who is defending her slim 407 Labour majority in the Stourbridge constituency, said Ms James “could be in for a surprise” if she took Black Country votes for granted.

But the self-made millionaire businesswoman denied that her acceptance of the invitation to join the panel for the Sky News politics show at the Hay Festival on May 30 smacked of over confidence.

“It was such a nice invitation and I will enjoy spending some time at the festival, but it’s so far off, I really haven’t given it much thought.

“Sky invited me, so they must be confident that I will get in, more confident than I am. In no way did I intend to give the impression that I was over confident of winning,” she said.

Ms James, who is vice chairman of the Conservative Party with responsibility for women’s issues, is on the campaign trail to win her first seat in parliament.

She will take part in the live debate alongside political heavy-weights from safe seats including Labour’s Minister for the Olympics Tessa Jowell, Shadow Minister for Culture Ed Vaizey and Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesman Chris Hulne.

Mrs Waltho said: “It’s somewhat typical of the arrogance she’s showed to date. She seems to forget that it’s up to local people to decide who’s going to be their MP.

“If she’s taking the view that the people of Stourbridge’s votes can be taken for granted, she might get a shock.”

Ms James said she was campaigning hard and the economy, employment and immigration are the main issues that people are raising with her, along with concerns about litter and anti-social behaviour.

“I thought I had a reasonable chance of success when I became the prospective candidate here three years ago and I certainly think I have an improved chance now,” she added