Andrew Kennedy: The pluses and minuses of national membership of the Party
I strongly support the move in principle, but there are serious questions about the practical implications for standing orders, data and income.
I strongly support the move in principle, but there are serious questions about the practical implications for standing orders, data and income.
Either we widen the membership of political parties and change the way they are funded, or the next stop will be a UK-style Donald Trump.
An old-fashioned, minimalist approach to information gathering is not enough to keep us properly engaged with the electorate.
The alternative is that somebody else will do it – and this has already started.
Namely, Anthea McIntyre – an experienced political hand who, like the Party Chairman, cut her political teeth in the Young Conservatives.
Once explained, I immediately understood the need to change – but also the need to explain that change to our volunteers if we were going to make it a success.
If we are to be a truly national Party, we must have in place a structure which enables us to hear, absorb and reflect the views of the entire United Kingdom.
It is bold, radical and Brexiteering – sweeping in ambition, severe in spirit, loyalist in composition and almost entirely devoid of the spirit of reconciliation.
He represents a proudly provincial conservatism, in which the condition of the striving classes, and of the industries on which they depend, matter a hundred times more than the City of London.
The Party needs to treat its members with respect and be a far more democratic in its structure.
There is a strong case for appointing a new Party Chairman who is neutral between the contenders.
The case of a little-known organisation based out of an Association office raises some rather troubling questions.
Roughly a quarter have confidence, and much the same proportion don’t know.
The latest iteration has good bits, some bad bits – and nothing substantial to boost ownership of the Party by its members.
Throughout our history, our party has been at its best and most successful when we have reformed when necessary.