Andrew Kennedy is the Group Agent & Campaign Director in West Kent. He blogs at www.votingandboating.blogspot.com.
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The Party has collectively failed to modernise its campaigning, with the result that we saw on June 8. This needs radical reform if it is not to collapse completely.
When 90 per cent of people voted either Tory or Labour, a simple “may we count on your support” was probably sufficient. In this climate, we must be smarter.
Too often, I fear we take the line of least resistance because it is easier than the alternative.
The story of Chatham & Aylesford, establishing priorities, sticking to them – and teamwork.
63 per cent say yes, 23 per cent say no – but the response rate to our survey suggests that the first figure will turn out to be lower.
When a self-replicating clique becomes dominant – be it of councillors, evangelicals, po-faced harridans or freemasons – there is trouble ahead.
Asked what he had done to help in a recent marginal by-election, one replied, “Oh, I knew there would be enough of you lot running around for me not to have to bother.”
It is possible that the Party may end this new year in a weaker position than before the 2015 election if CCHQ doesn’t act quickly.
The self-absorption of modern life is having an impact of our campaigning capacity.
I hope that in the electoral battle that lies ahead ahead, a fresh-faced volunteer will stand on the streets of Quito, and pose questions in a refined Liverpool accent.
Lord Woolton (pictured right) was the greatest-ever, rebuilding the Conservatives after the war. But here are my favourite five.
I believe that officers at all levels should be elected at a general meeting following as soon as is practical after a general election.
I strongly support the move in principle, but there are serious questions about the practical implications for standing orders, data and income.
Those calling for a wholesale review of the national selection rules should put forward alternatives better than the arrangements we have currently in place.
There is a danger that we will focus the new programme on technical skills, when what we really lack are the “soft skills” needed to maintain a voluntary organisation.