Monday, October 28, 2024

National Convention Handbook - economic with the reality!

 

National Convention Handbook



National Convention Handbook

In September 2024 CCHQ published a National Convention handbook.   It is a useful publication with many good points included in it, but why spoil it in the first sentence by saying:

“The National Convention is the oldest national institution within the Conservative Party, …”

To be charitable this is being economical with the reality!   The National Conservative Convention was formed in 1998 when the Conservative Party constitution was created.   I set out below the differences between the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations which was created in 1867 and the National Convention and you can decide whether the Convention follows on from the National Union!

The National Union was an autonomous body which consisted of autonomous Constituency Associations which could select or deselect their Member of Parliament or their Parliamentary Candidate without interference by CCHQ.

The National Convention is a body controlled by the Party Board of the Conservative Party and Constituency Associations can only select their Member of Parliament or elect their Parliamentary Candidate from a list produced by CCHQ.

The National Union Central Council representatives included five Constituency Association members.

The National Convention has one Constituency Association member.

The National Union included all Conservative MPs and all Conservative Parliamentary candidates.

The National Convention includes no MPs or Parliamentary candidates.

The Constitution of the National Union could be changed by a Constituency Association tabling a motion at a General Meeting of the Central Council and that motion passed by two thirds of the votes of those present and voting.

The National Convention Constitution can only be changed by an electoral college consisting of the National Convention and the Conservative Parliamentary Party, or by the Party Board exercising its rights under Article 17 of the Party Constitution.

The Party Conference was controlled by the National Union which determined its agenda and procedures.

The Party Conference is now controlled by the Party Board through a sub committee of the Board.   It decides its agendas and procedures>

 

 


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