The Rock Blog

Chris Birks is the branch Chairman for North East Derbyshire CF.

I have had the enormous pleasure of leading the North East Derbyshire Conservative Future for a few years now and we have already made some significant changes and more importantly some big steps forward. We all get stuck into routines and think we know the best way to run Conservative Future branches. However the people that run some of these branches and groups are very reserved in what they think they can achieve and how being active could really benefit the branch and local young Conservative supporters.

When I joined the Conservatives back in 2005, we were halfway through fighting an election we all knew deep down we could not win. After that election we had to change and with the election of David Cameron as our leader, that significant change came, however I still think some of our branches haven’t welcomed that change. I pride myself on being a local conservative who loves knocking on doors, leafleting and listening to local residents concerns. Local people love to have someone to moan at and have their problems heard by anyone, especially if you are in a position to change things.

North East Derbyshire is a Labour dominated area and we have a very small grouping on the District Council, so my main target for 2008 was to launch a campaign to get all of our CF members above the age of 18 to stand as candidates in next years County Council elections and so far, with our CF members and association members we almost have a full set. Getting out there is the most important thing we can do. Write letters to local papers, email your local and regional newsrooms and radio stations to challenge council decisions and uncover their disgusting acts.

Also having a strong and powerful executive is the key to any CF branch and group. If you have an executive who have clear set out responsibilities and they know what their key roles are then your branch will function properly and effectively. Always attend local association meetings to make sure the thoughts and views are made aware to the association and to speak up for young people’s views and concerns. However, the only thing that branches face is a very poorly set out structure with no-one really responsible for individual groups and branches.

The only candidate focusing on the members concerns and the candidate dedicated to renewing our links with branches and groups is Michael. To succeed we need to be strong, effective and bold in our campaigns and efforts. Go knock on Labour voters doors, stand in the middle of market places and hand out leaflets, go and uncover some dirty laundry from the local council and don’t be afraid to challenge councillors on the big issues which local people really care about. Vote for Michael, change the way we think and act as a National Organisation and get out there, bang on some doors and change the way people see Conservatives both locally and nationally.

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