Boris backs Party Reform

“I have strong support for the kind of requests that are being made by the followers of the excellent Conservative Voice organisation.  Reform of the Party Organisation is long overdue and this will be a priority if I am elected as Leader of the Party.  The idea of a Party Commission with a set deadline to come back with specific reforms has my full support.  I am grateful to Conservative Voice for taking the initiative on this important issue.”

Boris

Here are the Conservative Voice proposals:

We are clear that regardless of who becomes our next leader and Prime Minister, Party reform should be at the very top of their priority list. The case is clear, and we are pleased to outline the following points as a manifesto for change:

1. The Chairman of the Party Board should be elected by the membership. The Party Chairman is a separate role chosen by the Party Leader. The Party Board Chairman should focus on organisation, The Party Chairman, on policy
2. A new organisation of senior volunteers should be created to bring together Regional and Area Chairmen, Women and Young Voters. This body should meet regularly with the Parliamentary Party
3. The Sunday of Party Conference should become ‘Members’ Day’ where motions are accepted from Associations across the country and debated with the relevant Ministerial teams
4. An AGM should be held to include all parts of the Party where real decisions are taken and implemented
5. All Board Committees should be led by an elected volunteer. In particular, there needs to be greater involvement of volunteers in the selection of the Chairman of the Candidates Committee. Also. there should be no dilution in the involvement of members in the selection of their local and national candidates. This will be an essential component in the fabric of our Party moving forward
6. A different and far more positive style of communicating and engaging with potential supporters is required
7. A robust Awards & Recognition strategy should be introduced across the Party to include activists, members, professionals and Parliamentary colleagues

Trusting the electorate to make decisions about policy issues must be matched by trusting members to have a greater say in the running of The Party.

Conservative Voice is calling on both leadership contenders to commit to a strategic plan to take these points forward with clear timescales and accountabilities. Specifically, the new Party Leader should establish a Party Commission to take this agenda forward.  

An election is coming, sooner or later, and if we’re going to win, we need to seriously reboot and regrow our Party. If we don’t we could be handing the keys to No.10 to a communist. The stakes are simply to high to fail.