The Change Agenda: Policy

Conservative Future doesn't have much input into policy for a few reasons.

For a start as a national organisation we barely exist, so whilst in some areas where CF is contributing they are a valuable part of the local organisation, in most parts of the country CF either doesn't or barely exists (the need for regionalisation to build up the grassroots all over the country couldn't be clearer).

Also, our communciations structure has, before this year, been to basic in the extreme. Hopefully CF Net and CF TV's linkage with the Tory blogosphere will help to plug that gap, but direct communication with the senior party is the other huge area for improvement.

However, young people should have some input into the debate about policy and there exists a huge opportunity to exploit new technologies to address this.

ConservativeHome has shown that policy debate can be conducted in a reasoned and dynamic way. Importantly, the Internet allows a fractured national organisation to collaborate more easily - and so, using the full plethora of communications tools (CF.com, CF TV, CF Net with help from CF Diary and Tory Radio) we can introduce those issues relevant to young people and have some debate on them before engaging directly with the senior party.

I am a great believer in the potential of young people - working with almost 120 volunteers has taught me the sheer potential they possess - and this also is a great way to allow CF to engage its more mature members.