Friday, March 15, 2024

Conservative Party - another rule bites the dust

 In the late 1940s under the Chairmanship of Lord Woolton the Conservative Party brought in several reforms in its desire for equality.   David Maxwell Fyffe introduced the reforms, amongst which was to:

"Limit the amount of money a Member of Parliament could donate to his Constituency Association to £100."

This was done in order to stop the practise of wealthy people buying seats.   It led to the first Conservative trade unionist becoming an MP.

 We now find that Jeremy Hunt MP has given, over the last five years, no less than £105,261 to his local constituency party in Surrey  according to the Electoral Commission.

So when was the convention about £100 changed?

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

A Question to the Conservative Party Chairman! What was his reply?

 Putting a question to Richard Holden MP, Conservative Party Chairman, on 22 February 2024, at the excellent Chesham and Amersham Association dinner The question was: Under the Conservative Party Constitution it states that "The Leader shall determine the political direction of the Party having regard to the views of Party members and the Conservative Policy Forum" Now that there are no longer motions for debate at the Party Conference how does the Leader get the views of the ordinary Party Members? Needless to say I did not get an answer, although the Party Chairman said "What a great question!" and then proceeded to talk only about the Conservative Policy Forum!



Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Letter to the Prime Minister - Conservative Objects and Values

 


Campaign for Conservative Democracy

C. O. P. O. V - CONSERVATIVE ONE PERSON ONE VOTE

 

The Rt. Hon. Rishi Sunak M.P,                                                          21st  December 2023

10 Downing Street,

Westminster,

London SW1A 2AA

 

 Dear Prime Minister,  


Conservative Objects and Values

The Conservative Party Constitution emphasizes the  objects and values of the Party:

 

“PART 1

NAME, PURPOSE OBJECTS AND VALUES

This is the Constitution of a political party which shall be known as “The Conservative and Unionist Party” (referred to in this Constitution as “the Party”).  .

 1          Its purpose is to sustain and promote within the Nation the objects and values of the

Conservative Party. 

 PART II

MEMBERSHIP

The Party is a political Party for the Nation, open to all who share its objects and values and who undertake to be bound by this Constitution.”

 

Nowhere within the Constitution does it state what the objects and values are!

Many loyal members of our Conservative Party, and perhaps more importantly, the General Public are no longer clear exactly in what the Conservative Party believes.  We feel it is imperative that our Party’s objects and values are clearly outlined so that it will help the Conservative Party win the next General Election.

  It has become apparent during 2023 that many Conservative voters are staying at home and not voting. We believe that a reminder of Conservative objects and values will give our supporters good reason to turn out and vote for Conservative candidates.

 The attached document has been developed with that in mind. The statement is concise and expounds what we believe is the central core of the Conservative Party  It has been seen and endorsed by the Campaign for Conservative Democracy, and we hope that you will approve it and incorporate it within the Party’s Constitution.  A copy is also being sent to Richard Holden MP as Chairman of the Conservative Party,  John Penrose MP as Chairman of the CPF,  Peter Booth, Chairman of the National Convention and Sir Graham Brady, Chairman of the 1922 Committee  

 We want the Conservative Party to win the next General Election.   We want the Party’s message to be clear and concise and hope you will agree this document will clarify both for Party members and the general public what are the Party’s objects and values.

 Yours sincerely,

 JOHN E STRAFFORD

Chairman of the Campaign for Conservative Democracy

 

c.c. Richard Holden Esq MP;  John Penrose Esq MP;  Peter Booth Esq, and Sir Graham Brady MP




.

 

            





Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Choosing Parliamentary Candidates - Due Diligence

 A meeting at UCL on how the different parties select their parliamentary candidatesWhat about Due Diligence?  Includes the Labour and Conservative parties with Michael Crick.   Starting 45 minutes in.

Don't miss the start of the questions and answers! 

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

December 16th 2023 COPOV Mulled Wine and Mince Pies Forum and Annual General Meeting

 Come and join us for debate and discussion about the future of the Conservative Party.   See Events  on the right for full details or Click Here

Friday, November 24, 2023

Date for your diary 16th December 2023

 The next Campaign for Conservative Democracy meeting will be held on 16th December at 10.30 am at All Saints Church Hall, Oval Way, Gerrards Cross, Bucks. SL9 8PZ - Mulled wine and mince pies Forum! Details to follow!

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Questions and Answers about the Selection of Conservative Party Candidates

 This is the questions and answers session at the Conservative Party Conference fringe meeting held on October 3 2023 organised by the Campaign for Conservative Democracy and the Conservative Democratic Organisation.

View here