Many of them want to return, and may well defect if they don’t see an avenue to do so under Tory colours. Yet party members are unenthusiastic about giving them special treatment in selections.
We must drive forward localised policies, grounded in Conservative values, which appeal to all generations.
The dynamics of primaries mean that there is no centralised approvals system by a Candidates Department, no listing process, and no need for potential candidates to coat themselves in dull conformity for fear of losing out.
An empowered membership, including much greater say over the selected – and deselection – of MPs, is the best way to keep our Party true to its principles.
If I have the privilege of being elected our next Party Leader, I have a clear first 100-day plan for CCHQ and a package of reforms.
Once more control is handed over to members, it is almost impossible for the centre to get it back if it needs it. Just ask William Hague.
Just because we’ve had the A-list and Cameron’s Cuties in the past doesn’t mean it should be the only way.
We must clean up our act and make people proud to support us again, and must recognise and empower our members, activists and supporters.
Humans are naturally selfish creatures; more and more people are focusing more on themselves and their local area than national considerations.
It’s infuriating to see how those who contributed to our party’s downfall have been parachuted into the safer seats. This blatant disregard beyond the chumocracy is deeply troubling.
There is no right way, no perfect system for selecting candidates. There will always be a subjective element to the process, and rightly so. But the existing process is opaque, unfair, and ineffective.
. As being a Conservative MP becomes ever-less glamorous, the tendency to fall back on local councillors, SpAds, or staffers will only grow. Who else would want the job?
Ahead of the general election, ConservativeHome has produced a list of all the new Conservative candidates in “winnable” seats, following CCHQ’s nominal 80/20 strategy.
Our Acting Editor joins John Pienaar and the New Statesman’s Rachel Cunliffe to discuss the fallout from the Conservatives’ manifesto launch.
As the longest-serving member on the Party Board, often the only elected woman in the room, I have been at the top of the party as a Council Leader, candidate, National Chair of the CWO, President of our Party, and Deputy Chair of the CPF.