The Rock Blog

On Wednesday we saw the monthly Star Social, the monthly event from “CLWCF - The mother of the Conservative youth movement”, the speaker this month was Shaun Bailey, the PPC for Hammersmith. Shaun is obviously a sound Conservative but well grounded in the real world. It’s good to see a wider range of opinions being offered by Tory PPC’s and that we now can be confident enough to venture into non-traditional subjects.

I always try and go along as these are always great events. I am so impressed by how far this branch has come in only a few months. They are lucky: being only a few minutes from Parliament makes it very easy for them to get speakers. I know this in not the case for most branches around the country - this is why I believe a Speakers Panel to be crucial. We must use CF’s position in the Party to push for speakers for branches across the UK.

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.

Click here for information about “CF members that Rock!”

I went ice-skating at Somerset House and I thoroughly recommnend. A superb setting was only marred by the very iffy weather and subsequent bruises I collected from hitting the deck. It was good fun though!

To recover we popped into the pub for a swift half to catch the football. Good lager, rubbish performance. Why we persist in pretending that our football team can ever actually win a tournament when we can’t even qualify,I have no idea. Croatia showed the gulf in ability by demonstrating better teamwork, exertion and basic skills. I hope this is a wake up call to the FA to get the academy at Burton back on track before we lose another generation of footballers to mere hyperbole. Let’s get the basics right first…

Which is just what the mighty CLWCF have done! Like a phoenix from the ashes, in past half a year or so, Sam Billet and his fine committee have rejuvenated their CF Branch and established a monthly must-attend in the form of Star Social. Even though I missed the speaker this month, the event is well attended by a range of people ensuring a good mix of politics and chat. Pencil the next one into your diary, see you there…