Read 'em and weep

CF Diary carried this today. The list of elected Area Chairmen is 16 names long, 18 seats will be filled after the elections. I recognise most of them, and well done for putting yourselves forward.

If ever you need proof that CF is a failing organisation it is here.

In most of the country CF has ceased to exist, with a few branches providing the only surviving CF membership for vast swathes of the country. No-one can transform this is nine months.

At best, the next chairman can expect to set in place the systems for recovery, but when you read through the manifestoes for candidates, ignore the promises for various schemes and initiatives from the centre. CF needs a revival at the grassroots, the NME will have to make this a possibility, and it won't be by running the show themselves.

Empowerment is the key, enabling branches and areas to take on greater responsibility. CF members are energetic and capable of great things, next year's exec would do well to give the capability to prove that.