A candidate shortage strikes Conservative target seats

Numbers applying for target seats are down across the board. At least one Tory association has refused to shortlist, and demanded applications be reopened.

Leon Emirali: A wider lesson from last week’s Tory digital disaster. The Party must adapt – or die.

It’s vital that the rank and file steps outside its comfort zone to safeguard the future of our economy and society.

James Morris: Introducing Conservative Academy, our new training tool for members

From campaigning to recruitment to compliance, our new online toolkit will help new recruits and seasoned veterans alike do their bit for the Conservative cause.

The Minister who only just became a Conservative

The legacy of past disorganisation in our Party’s machine even affects those at the top.

Rob Semple: The Prime Minister commands the instinctive loyalty of Party members. And they’re fed up with noises off.

We need to remind ourselves that it took us 13 years to recover from the last time we allowed Europe to determine how the electorate saw our Party.

Tim Bale: How the Conservatives can turn new members into activists

A national membership system is a good start, but it must be accompanied by pro-active engagement from local associations.

Paul Scully: Conservative members in London still have time to vote for our Mayoral candidate

All three are great campaigners and proven grassroots workers across London. Winning is a challenge but the prize is definitely up for grabs.

Andrew Snowden: What I have learnt from my first year as a councillor

Don’t try to please everyone. Focus on results not endless meetings. It doesn’t matter what it says in the minutes – nobody reads them.

Justine Greening: Why I’m backing Joy Morrissey to be the next Mayor of London

Through the Centre for Social Justice, she has put her time into actively working on the difficult issues we also face such as homelessness.

Joel Charles: The hard left must not be allowed to win the ground war

A clear campaign narrative that balances local and national priorities is crucial. Engage with community groups. Select candidates early. Use social media to complement, not replace, campaigning.

Line Kristensen: To win next time, the Conservative Party must make recruiting and training activists its priority

A focused and accountable drive to build the grassroots is required. It can be done, but it requires difficult questions and honest answers.

The Conservative infiltration debate is all the wrong way round

The Party’s main problem isn’t having too many applicant members – it’s having too few present ones.

Ryan Jacobsz: To win the next election, the Conservatives must make better use of their activists

CCHQ needs to make our troops recognise that local elections are vital staging posts for Westminster campaigns, and need to be fought just as hard.

Syed Kamall: The electoral disaster that will engulf our Party if we don’t boost our ethnic minority support

Once a seat reaches 30 per cent BME population, it goes Labour. In 2010, this applied to 75 seats. By 2022, it could apply to around 120 seats.

Greig Baker: Campaigning for the 2019 local election in Canterbury is well under way

Our candidates realise we have to start early. We have regular dates set well in advance to get out on the pavement.