Party Chairman and the Party Review.

Lord Feldman, the Chairman of the Conservative Party has announced that he will be stepping down as Chairman when David Cameron leaves Downing Street.   Cameron will go on 9th September, so we can expect a new party Chairman then.   Liam Fox has called for the Party Chairman to be directly elected by Party members.
In the circumstances the Party Review should be put on hold so that a much more fundamental review can be carried out.
 On 22nd April I wrote to Lord Feldman about the review a follows:

The Rt. Hon. The Lord Feldman of Elstree,

Chairman, The Conservative Party,
4 Matthew Parker Street,
London,
SW1H 9HQ

 Dear Lord Feldman,

Party Review

            At a meeting of the Campaign for Conservative Democracy held on 16^th April the Party Review was discussed at some length.   I was asked to put the following questions to you:

1)      Some of the changes proposed will require alterations to the Party’s Constitution.   Will the changes be made in accordance with the Constitution or will some other process be adopted?

2)      Will there be any point in the process when ordinary members can propose amendments to any changes proposed or propose changes in their own right?

3)      The Review states on page 17: “The Membership Department, in consultation with senior volunteers will be able to award a finite number of Gold memberships to activists who have given outstanding service to the Party…….”   Will these awards be for life or for a finite period?

4)      Regarding an Association opting out from a proposed MCA (Multi Constituency Association) is there any Constituency Association in the country which currently fulfils all the functions outlined in Appendix 1?

5)      What is the proposed democratic structure of the proposed MCAs? Will the Officers be elected by all the members of the Constituencies comprising the MCA?

6)      Will the full time professional in each MCA be employed by the MCA or by Conservative Central Office?   Will the campaign manager be accountable to the Officers/members of the MCA or to Conservative Central Office?

7)      Who and by what process will the delegates? to the National Convention be decided by the MCA (page 39)?

8)      How are “small” changes to the Party Constitution to be made and how is “small” defined (page37)?

 One final point: the Spring National Convention is normally the meeting at which Officers of the Convention are elected.   This did not happen this year so unless there is an early meeting of the Convention there will be a clear breach of the Party Constitution.   What is the position on this?

            I look forward to hearing from you.              

                                                      Yours faithfully

                                                             John E. Strafford

                                                                Chairman       


Lord Feldman's office replied as follows:

                                                         

So, once again questions unanswered.   Just pushes them into the long grass.  Another exaample of contempt for the grass roots!