Article on Conservativehome.com 28th
December 2016
The Party Review
by
Rob Semple, Chairman of the National Conservative
Convention
We can all agree that this has been a truly
momentous year in politics. As we move into 2017, the Conservative Party has strong
leadership and a clear sense of purpose. Whilst we look to the future, the
Labour Party is — in contrast — divided, distracted, and out of touch.
The National Conservative Convention (NCC) met at
the Conservative Party conference in October, and voted overwhelmingly to
endorse the Party Review recommendations. For those not familiar with the NCC,
it is the representative body of the Party’s membership. We should not be
surprised by this support, as the recommendations were a direct product of 18
months of consultation and refinement, in which Party members participated in
their thousands. This shows what can be achieved by listening to, and engaging
with the members to ensure that it is they who drive change in the Party.
The decision to move towards central administration
of membership is key to progress. It moves us in line with virtually all other
UK-wide institutions, and will allow us the opportunity to deliver a better
membership experience, with far greater emphasis placed on interaction between
those who lead our Party and the members. It will also enable the Party to run
far more effective national recruitment campaigns, whilst ensuring that members
remain part of their local Associations.
By gaining approval for extending Association
officer terms from three years to five years, and moving Association AGM dates
from March to July, the Party is adapting to the new electoral cycle created by
fixed-term parliaments.
We are already in the process of agreeing to the
first Multiple Constituency Association trials. This voluntary initiative is,
in addition to its many other benefits, one way we can look to adapt to
constituency boundaries changing more frequently in light of the Parliamentary
Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011. The Government’s commitment to
introducing fairer constituencies of equal electorate size is surely a
principle that all Conservatives will support.
Revisions to the rules on the selection of local
government candidates will be discussed by the Candidates Committee in January,
as requested by the Convention, thus progressing a further important item in
the Review.
The planned recruitment of apprentice campaign
managers gives a clear indication that our focus will be on campaigning in the
run up to 2020. By starting this initiative now, it allows us time to develop
the necessary infrastructure across the country.
Finally, I know that the introduction of candidate
bursaries, championed by the Party Chairman, has already been discussed. Our
aim is to have the scheme in place for candidates standing in 2020. This shows
our determination to make it easier for people from all walks of life to stand
as a Conservative candidate.
At their core, these proposals will allow the Party
to adapt to a changed political landscape. When it comes to fighting elections,
our aim must always be to be as good as we can be.
Finally, may I use this opportunity to wish all
ConservativeHome readers a very happy Christmas and New Year.
Questions:
1) “The National Conservative
Convention (NCC) met at the Conservative Party conference in October, and voted
overwhelmingly to endorse the Party Review recommendations” - No figures were given, only percentages so we do not know
whether the vote was overwhelming of those eligible to vote. Important when it
comes to change the Party Constitution.
2)
“The decision to move towards central administration of membership is
key to progress”. – Nothing can happen on this
until the membership details are sorted out.
There are clear differences between the details held in the constituencies
and those held in CCHQ. That is why
there has to be a pilot scheme. No
information has been given on how far the pilot scheme has progressed.
3)
“By
gaining approval for extending Association officer terms from three years to
five years, and moving Association AGM dates from March to July, the Party is
adapting to the new electoral cycle created by fixed-term parliaments”. These changes will require alterations to the Party’s Constitution. No date has been given for when these will
be put to the Constitutional college in order to change the Constitution.
4) “We are already in the process of
agreeing to the first Multiple Constituency Association trials”. Until
the Boundaries Commission reports in 2018 no one will know exactly what the
constituencies will be making up a grouping.
The Multiple Constituency Association must be ratified by a vote of the
Party members in the constituencies comprising the proposed MCA
5) “Revisions to the rules on the
selection of local government candidates will be discussed by the Candidates
Committee in January.” - We have only had 18 months to sort this
out!
6)
“The
planned recruitment of apprentice campaign managers gives a clear indication
that our focus will be on campaigning in the run up to 2020 ” – So how many have
been recruited so far?
7)
“Finally, I know that the introduction of candidate bursaries,
championed by the Party Chairman, has already been discussed.” – So how many have been given so far?
So what has been achieved and
implemented so far? Err nothing! Most of these changes are administrative
adjustments and are sensible. However
the glaring problem of declining membership is not addressed and this will give
the Party a major disadvantage in campaigning if not addressed before the next
General Election.
Basically, the National Convention is
no longer fit for purpose and the sooner it is abolished the better. It is time we had an Annual General Meeting
to which every member is invited and to which Officers are accountable to the
membership. Until this happens progress
towards creating a Party fit for the 21st century will progress at a snail’s
pace.
