Mulled Wine & Minced Pies Forum - 5th December

Do join us for a discussion on The Fight against Terrorism, Europe - Remain or Leave and other issues. For full Agenda see Events

Discussion on defence with Dr. Julian Lewis MP

Totton Conservative Club

Saturday, 7^th November 2015

Driving rain and blustery wind did not prevent people from crowding into Totton Conservative Club on Saturday, 7^th November to hear a wide ranging outstanding speech on Defence from Dr. Julian Lewis MP, chairman of the House of Commons Defence Committee.   Starting from the first Iraq War his talk covered recent wars which when over had left civilians still in difficult conditions   Libya for example was an almighty mess.  He said that we were bad at predicting wars, such as the 6 Day War or events such as 9/11.   Dr Lewis went on to say that regarding the Syrian debacle, the Russians wanted Assad to win but this country wants both sides to lose!  

John Strafford interviewed Julian Lewis and commenced by saying he agreed 100% with his views, and he was wholly in favour of spending 2% of the Budget on Defence spending, and that more of the budget should be spent on conventional weapons.   John Strafford wondered if we were spending money in the right places

When questioned, Dr Lewis said that if British troops were in the Ukraine but we denied they were there it would be a scandal, but that is what is happening now with Russia in the Ukraine. 

NATO says that an attack on one NATO ally is an attack on all. 

The question of Trident came up not surprisingly.   One member of the audience wanted 10 Tridents and another questioner wondered where, if required, a new base could be found – answer Milford Haven in Wales. The audience included several former service military personnel - so informed questioning ensued.   Queries on  drones, aircraft carriers, state of readiness to respond to attack – all were competently responded to by Julian Lewis.

Cllr Allan Glass closed the meeting after warmly thanking the speaker for an informed speech.

What is the use of Parliament? Churchill speaks!

“What is the use of Parliament if it is not the place where true statements can be brought before the people?

What is the use of sending members to the House of Commons who just say popular things of the moment and merely endeavour to give satisfaction to the Government by cheering loudly every ministerial platitude and by walking through the lobbies oblivious of the criticisms they hear?

People talk about our Parliamentary institutions and Parliamentary democracy but if these are to survive it will not be because the Constituencies return tame docile subservient members and try to stamp out every form of independent judgement”.   Winston Churchill 14 March 1939.

Conservativehome survey on what members want

In a survey published in Conservativehome on the 6th October many of the issues which COPOV want are also wanted by a majority of Party members.

1    86% of members want the power to directly elect at least some of the Party Board.
2    61% want to elect the Chairman of the Board.
3.   54% want members to elect the Party Chairman.
4. 50% want the democratic power to amend the Party's constitution.
5 66% want motions to be debated at the Party conference.

Over 950 Party members took part in the survey.

Party Reform advert in Conservativehome 5th October

Campaign for Conservative Democracy

Party Reform

Let's Put Democracy At The Heart Of The Party

If trade unions must be democratic, and we believe they must, then we should set a good example by implementing these reforms in the Conservative Party:

·    The Conservative Party constitution may be amended or changed by the members of the Party at a General Meeting of the Party on the basis of one member one vote provided there is a majority voting in favour of amendment or change and not less than 50% of the members have voted.   Proxy voting shall be allowed.

·    There should be an Annual General Meeting of the Party to which all members are invited. (Note: this meeting should not always be held in the same location so as to prevent it being skewed in favour of members from a particular Region.)

·    The Chairman of the Party should be responsible for the Party Organisation.

·    The Chairman and Treasurer of the Party should be elected by the members of the Party.

·    The Chairman of the Party should present an Annual Report on the Party organisation at the Annual General Meeting of the Party for adoption by the members.

·    The Treasurer of the Party should present the Annual Accounts of the Party to the Annual General Meeting for adoption by the members.

·    The Chairman of the Committee on Candidates should be elected by the members of the Party and should present a report on candidate selection at the Annual General Meeting of the Party.

·    The Chairman of any policy groups should be elected by the members of the Party and should present a report on their workings at the Annual General Meeting of the Party.

·    Motions for debate on policy should be allowed at the Party’s Conference and voted upon.   If due to time constraints all motions submitted cannot be debated the members at the Conference should be able to choose at least three motions for debate.

All motions duly proposed and seconded should be put on the Party’s web site.

·    Regional/Area/Constituency officers should be directly elected by the members of the Party.

·    Should the Leader of the Party enter into a Coalition Agreement or Arrangement with another Party the Agreement must be endorsed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Party and a Special Meeting of members of the Party within seven days of the Agreement or the Agreement will lapse.

If you support these reforms then please send us your name, along with your contact details, such as your email address and constituency and confirm that you are a member of the Conservative Party.  Also let us know if you are happy for us to publish your support.

Contacts:

            Email: johnstrafford@btinternet.com    

            Web Site: http://www.copov.blogspot.co.uk/

            Facebook: Campaign for Conservative Democracy

COPOV Forum 24th October 2015

Do come to the next COPOV Forum See Agenda

Date for your diary - 7th November

     New  Forest  East  Conservative Association.

   DEFENCE DEBATE.     

Dr Julian Lewis   MP     Chairman of the Commons Defence Committee  

Mr John Strafford Chairman of C O P O V  a senior Conservative member. 

            Chaired by Cllr Allan Glass.  Chairman of

                        NFE Conservative Policy Forum.

November 7 Th .  Totton Conservative Club.  Congleton Suite.           10/30am to 12/30 pm.

A short speech on defence by Dr Lewis, questions by Mr Strafford then open to the floor for questions.

                Tea and Coffee available

The event is FREE !   But donations for hall costs  welcome.                    

 Published by New Forest East Conservative association.  3 The Parade Southampton Rd Cadnam Hampshire     Saved as Defence Debate

Another survey of Conservative Party members!

If you are a member of the Conservative Party complete this survey.   Hopefully this will be the first of many.

The Tory "grass roots" speak out for reform

Hear what ordinary members of the Tory Party think should be done here

Party democracy

Take this survey on ConservativeHome and vote for Party democracy