The Rock Blog

Edward Hallam is the Campaign Director for Cities of London & Westminster CF.

Social Action is the great idea behind modern Conservatism, and one that the Cities of London & Westminster CF has fully embraced. Recent examples of our work would be supporting the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal in November 2007, where just a handful of activists were able to raise well over £3000, making a huge difference to the lives of British heroes and their families.

We have also supported the Surprise Supplies initiative, sending morale-boosting parcels to British troops on active service in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2008 we will again support these causes, and also go well beyond them. Currently we’re setting up a steering group with a local estate to provide events for the young people there, ranging from entertainment, to helping foster interest in politics, and the provision of sexual health awareness workshops through our local Conservative council and NHS Trust.

Throughout our Social Action projects, we have discovered the same themes recurring. Local groups are always grateful for our help. We are able to show that Conservatives care, not just at election time, but all the time. We are able to build relations with local people that benefit both them and ourselves. Even in areas where we might not be in power, it enables Conservatives to advance their values and bring Conservative changes which builds support for us, and demonstrates what it is we stand for.

There may not at first sight be many votes in it for us, but in an age where the political class is deeply distrusted serving our local communities helps to reengaged the disenchanted and show our sincere, progressive approach to solving Britain’s problems in the twenty-first century.

We have found that Social Action allows us to work with and engage people who would never normally work with Conservatives, or never become involved in politics at all. As Conservatives we suffer from a lot of negative media, ignorance and preconceptions. Finding new ways to spread our ideas is pivotal to overcoming this, recruiting new members – and voters. In the end, people will trust and respect us for doing, not pontificating. Our actions will speak louder than our words.

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