The Rock Blog

Through out the election campaign, all candidates agreed that CF needed change. The healthiest debate centred about how to achieve this. I personally argued that we needed to engage with the wider political community and the new executive have already begun that process. Becoming an organisation that appeals to a broader range of political activists, and becoming more accessible is the first step towards rebuilding Conservative Future so that we can expand in a whole new direction.

To that end, we are pleased to announce that we are official supporters of “Day for Darfur 5”, a protest against the crisis in Darfur with particular focus on the affect that the situation is having on the children of Darfur.

When David Cameron visited the region last year, he did so because the humanitarian crisis is affecting millions of individuals and we should be doing more to alleviate the suffering. It is unacceptable to stand aside whilst government back militia attack innocent civilians.

We hope you can join us, Conservative Future and Andrew Mitchell MP, Shadow International Development Secretary, in London on Sunday, April 13th. For more information please contact Anastasia Beaumont-Bott on 07719797344

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10682459754

We need to be much savvier in promoting the Conservative cause: just pushing leaflets through doors is not enough to convince many people. We need to deliver a public, social conscience. Elections are won on a local basis: by showing that the Conservatives are involved in local issues means we can genuinely show our best, most progressive side. Conservatism promotes influence at a local level; social action shows how it can be done.

As an organisation we have made good ground this year for social action; examples include the social action project at Party Conference, leg-waxing in Keele, Poppy selling in London, and the ‘Surpise Supplies’ initiative that I am doing with UCL CF (above picture).

On the ‘National Days’ we will also get CF members involved with social action projects:

• The Area Chairman will work to find local projects for the local members to get involved with on the National Day.
• This also allows the CF branches to build links with the project enabling them to possibly help or more than one occasion.
• Having the power and choice back with the Area Chairman allows us to make a difference with these projects, and not just a one-off photo op.

CF is not just for delivering leaflets; CF should be about spreading the positive message and image of Conservatism. We should see every project we become involved with as another advert for the positives in politics.

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!”

We need to make a ‘National Day’ truly national; mini-bussing 20 activists to the opposite end of the country denigrates the impact and effort that CF members put into their constituencies all over the country.

My plans will create a ‘buzz’ for the entire nation, not merely a select few. These plans include:

• On a CF National Day six events will occur in the six areas of the country
• The six events on any ‘National Day’ will be different; some will be campaigning sessions, some social action projects or protests.
• The Area Chairs co-ordinate amongst their region to maximise turnout
• Every CF member can be involved, for less time and cost

This proposal also means will can cover 36 marginal seats a year on the National Days - 24 more than at present! Also, it was devised to increase the chance of repeat campaigning: people will develop an affinity and a relationship with their region and candidate. We should remember all the work our members do, outside of the limelight: the biggest impact we make is at local level.

That simple fact is how we can build momentum behind CF; by building local strength and then combining forces to a deliver a truly national impact.

I went back to my old stomping ground in the North East of England to help out with a social project and attend a debate with some CF members in the Tynemouth. Having lived and worked there for three years, I understand not only many of the social problems the Nort East suffers from but also the relative isolation that many Tories can suffer.I’m glad to see there are so many target seats that we are fighting hard for in the region. Wendy Morgan, PPC, and Matthew Page, of Consult, led the debate which covered a range of topics that affect young people. The usual issues of interaction, drug abuse and a lack of aspiration came up.

The North East is an interesting area as there are pockets of staunch Tories. We’ll know we have a chance of forming a Government when we win seats outside of our traditional areas.

Thanks to Bethany Lightley for all the work she put in to arrange the day and for her CF work in general.