Andrew Young - CF Chairman Campaign

Bye, bye...

2006-09-15T03:24:00.000-07:00

Don't forget, The CF News is relaunching... stay tuned.

2006-09-14T08:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to readers of the ever popular Recess Monkey

Whilst recording an interview with he and Guido for CF Radio, it became apparent that the Monkey has been well fed. I left my reply on his site for your reference.

Sad to say that the campaign, which had started from a good natured banter point of view went sour very quickly. Pity really - if there was a bright spot in all of last year it was the lack of cliquiness in CF. I hope this campaign doesn't mark the start of a fratricidal Y.C-style 'win at all costs' mentality. After all, we're all on the same side, as the Gipper (pictured above) said, "Never speak ill of a fellow Conservative"

This year has been tough in places, but from all the problems we have started projects that can continue till next year - an e-library, CF TV, CF Net and a revamped CF.com website and Copywriters team. I'm proud of the volunteers on those teams, from all over the country, of all ages and walks of life. They continue to amaze me with their dedication to making CF work better.

Guys - it's been nice working with you....

Coming soon...

2006-09-13T02:33:00.001-07:00

The CF News...

The Change Agenda: Training

2006-09-12T07:11:00.000-07:00

If there is a gap in our current organisation it's training.

At some level we are able to do every other aspect of the work we are supposed to, yet, strangely for the biggest youth politics organisation we provide little in the way of training for our activists and future candidates.

This year the Copywriters have held as many training days as the NME, Reigate managed to do the same - yet only one of these relied on a huge injection of funding. Which begs the question - have we got it right?

The annual training weekend was hugely well provided for, yet the number of attendees matched that of the less well funded student conference. Overall, National CF provided training for roughly 120 people this year, 120 of a few thousand eligible people. This needs to change.

Regionalisation will allow each region to attain a 'critical mass' of members at its larger events. I propose that each region should host a series of training days throughout its year. As well as the basics - on campaigning, canvassing etc. - more detailed training can be attempted, on public speaking and media skills.

Training not only provides skills, it also provides motivation and inspires people to greater efforts. A successful exec would take the initiative in getting a coherent programme of training out to its members, fulfilling its role as an enabling body and providing for a stronger future in the party.

Putting in place a coherent training programme this year can also set the stage for a year-on-year improvement, hopefully CF can reach a future point where we fulfil the role of providing candidates not just for council, but also for Parliament as well.

The Hustings Speech that never was...

2006-09-11T02:22:00.000-07:00

With less than five days to go the election is effectively over - with this in mind, and surrounded by old faces at the London hustings I decided to can the phoney theatrics and pomposity. Someone said lats week that I'm not a great self-publicist, and to tell the truth they're right. The disingenuousness of the campaigning doesn't sit easily with me, and the re-emergence of the YC-style shenanigans has been a stark contrast to the faction-free past year. Here is the speech that never was.

"It’s hard to believe a year has gone by, but in a way I’m glad.

I decided that putting my life on hold for another year, putting up with the constant deadlines, the problems, the lack of support from anybody is not the way to go.

For all its potential, CF is a failing organisation and will continue to be so until it makes a fundamental change in how it works.

The good thing about being a candidate for Chairman is that for a month and a half I get a captive audience. And so, at the risk of losing my place as the chairman candidate who is least ‘up themselves’ here is the solution to all our problems.

We must fundamentally change the balance between the regions and the centre, and in these vital nine months, the next chairman must regionalise this organisation.

The NME must stop acting as a super branch and become a service provider to the regions and regional coordinators must be appointed to bring area chairmen and the senior party together to plan the revival of CF across the country.

Long-term success will only come about by building up our grassroots, and regionalisation is the only way to do it.

There has been a lot of talk about experience, so here’s my experience –the record of the youngest candidate.

I’ve set up two teams of writers to allow us to update our website twice daily, created a national network of regional websites, redesigned and secured funding for a new CF website, started an e-library of best practise that can be improved on year-on-year, fought to hire our first long term intern Richard ‘Action’ Jackson and started an internet TV station – CF TV. All done for free.

120 volunteers, trained and working hard in a simple system that encourages them to just get on with it.

With every one of the 240 volunteers I have worked with over the past few years there comes a point when they stop asking “What do I do?” and start saying “Here’s what I’m going to do!” Imagine we had eleven regions with volunteers saying the same. At the moment our branch and area successes are lonely outposts, unsupported and unconnected. Hopefully with my work in the past few years I have shown what can be achieved by bringing people together.

The common thread that links all this work, is that in 2009, the date of the next general election, CF members will be using the tools I have helped put in place in 2006.

Imagine all seven people on the national exec had done the same this year?

Don’t get me wrong, the exec have worked hard. But those campaign days, those great events in trendy London bars will count for nothing in the long run, because for every event organised centrally our volunteers, our grassroots, lose the opportunity to learn how to do it for themselves.

Lots of central funding sounds great, but at the centre we are brilliantly funded. Teaching our branches and Areas how they can better raise funds is the key.

Campaigning in national Action days was fun, but each region must take ownership for its success at the polls.

Setting up individual branches is great, but CF is failing because we have no system to support the ones we already have. Being an area chairman is such a bad job that only 18 of 44 places have been filled –we can’t even give it away.

We need to stamp a regional identity on each CF branch and area, and within those regions coordinate events, training, fundraising and yes, targeted campaigning.

It won’t work any other way. Seven people based in and around London can work really hard, but lasting success only comes when people take ownership of their own success.

I am hoping that maybe, just maybe, the thunderbolt will strike – and that that idea will start to take hold, because if I’ve learnt anything from working with over 240 volunteers over the years, it’s that young people have such huge reserves of potential.

I need to use this opportunity to thank the volunteers who have been so generous with their time and energy. They are an inspiration to me and have kept me going in what has at times been a pretty crappy job.

And to you guys, the CF members who we’ll rely on next year – it’s been nice working with you."

Hustings Tonight

2006-09-08T03:25:00.000-07:00

Hustings tonight in CCHQ.

Sadly, you'll never know how I got on unless you're there, and a video even of my bit is not in the offing

7pm, don't be late...

The Change Agenda: Women 2 Win?

2006-09-07T05:47:00.000-07:00

Women work half as hard as men - They get it right the first time!!!

A weird situation at a recent planning meeting for a London branch. A discussion about how to hold a membership event aimed at attracting that vital group of young career women who we need to change the face of the party.

Weird in that all but one of those present were men, but that's the current situation we find ourselves faced with. This needs to change..

Labour fixed the problem by introducing all-women short lists. It worked in making their party more electable, but discrimination runs against Conservative instincts, so the A-List is plugging the gap. However, as James Cleverly pointed out, stretching a minority of the candidates so thinly is not a sustainable solution.

If CF was wondering what innovative useful function it could fill in the next decade, recruiting and retaining talented female candidates must be up there.

Not that CF is to blame. I predict that Karen Allen, a virtual unknown, will finish in the top three of the NME elections. CF members already recognise the need to change the membership for the better, witness the success of talented young women in reaching responsible positions within branches, despite being a much smaller proportion of the membership.

However, recruitment is too slow, and retaining talent, as with all things CF, is a chronic failing.

Recruitment: Targetted events in conjunction with Women 2 Win. Held on a regional basis. The aim is to get a critical mass of women attending the event and being enthused by the number of other young women in their position. The social aspect is a key part of CF and acts as an informal, but very powerful mentoring system.

Retainment: To maintain interest in involvement, CF must (as with all its members - more tomorrow) provide a logical path for career progression within politics. This is partly achieved by regionalisation and binding CF-age members to the senior party's planning at a local and regional level.

More importantly, CF must start offering a serious improvement in its training. One central conference per year is a shockingly poor track record. Regional one-day training events can help inspire our volunteers as well as equipping them with real skills. With so few opportunities to hone these skills, the ability of CF to provide them is a big plus which could effect a permanent change in attracting and developing our membership.

The Change Agenda: Digging In

2006-09-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

What are the problems of CF? Why do we seem to change only very slowly? Why can we not make more rapid gains as a youth organisation?

A CF member was chatting to me after the Manchester hustings and he blamed the CF elections. 'If only we didn't have elections every year we wouldn't lose so many talented people'

Well almost.

This year has certainly shown how weak we are nationally, as the Area Chairmen are unable to find successors. 18 of 44 places for Area Chairmen filled has to be an all-time low, and with the (sad) loss of Chris Wales from the NME candidates list there are fewer candidates than last year.

Part of the regionalisation plan is to force the issue and agressively recruit in empty spots, but I'm not keen on the idea of 'picking winners'. True success will be when CF starts replicating its success naturally, otherwise each election will mark the departure point for ever more ACs.

To start this process of rebuilding we'll have to start getting CF members dug in. For students this will involve getting student sabbatical officers elected, but more commonly, this will involve CF-age councillors.

The trick will be to engage the senior party, CF shouldn't act as a seperate organisation. Rather, the senior party needs to be provided with that capability to recruit and retain younger members. Working to compliment the senior party at every stage will help in that.

Importantly, I don't see CF's role as being a narrowly defined one. Yes we should do the envelope licking and leaflet dropping, but if that's all we can aspire to then it's a bit dissapointing.

CF has a social side that shouldn't be overlooked, but still far too few events. This is due to a lack of infastructure.

Same too with training, we should be able to hold training events in each region aimed at directly improving our activists skills and also finding the politicians of the future. Sadly, outside of London this is currently not the case - something we could change by implementing a regional structure.

Targetted campaigning - the vital project for all three candidates - will not take off simply through funding or sending the seven members of the NME to help out. A strong regional identity and simple system of management in each region could help to deliver this. We need to appoint the regional coordinators and have them bring together the senior party and Area Chairmen to help rebuild those grassroots.

Proof, if it were needed, came in the form of another conversation at the hustings. I met a former regional coordinator of the old YCs, who was, to say the least, passionate about CFs failing in the regions. She asked why we couldn't organise regionally? Then, a person in her position in the senior party could start thinking about funding CF activity on a regional basis.

All politics is local, CF should recognise that.

The Change Agenda: Policy

2006-09-05T03:58:00.000-07:00

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.

Andy Stephenson

2006-09-04T13:30:00.000-07:00

I've known Andy since my time at GMCF. He has been a hard working member of the CF exec as well as a popular local activist and successful councillor. I wasn't at all surprised when he was selected for the A-List.

I don't know a single person with a bad word to say about him and it was obvious why he was chosen to chair the hustings as no-one else has as much respect as he does.

There is a vote on Thursday in Pendle where Andy will be in a closed primary. I know that quite a few members of the senior party read this blog, if you are able, or you have friends who would be able to vote, you will not find a more able and talented candidate.

Vote for Andrew Stephenson.

Manchester Hustings

2006-09-03T12:17:00.000-07:00

A great night, catching up with the GMCF guys. The turnout wasn't huge, which is why next year it would be great to hold the hustings earlier in the election, film it for CF TV and let everyone see it.

Below is a video of my speech, rushed, because as always, there's too much content. The camerawork suffered a little from what media professionals call 'inebriation', but I thought I'd let you see it anyway. The basic points for the full speech were:

We must radically change the relationship of the Regions and the NME making the NME a service provider to its regions.
I have a proven track record of setting up lasting volunteer led projects, to a long-term strategy.
To succeed in future elections we must enable our grassroots, this does not involve chasing short-term schemes for short term gains.

Campaign video removed

Endorsement: Anna Appleton, Secretary West Wirral

2006-09-01T16:27:00.000-07:00

I first met Andrew at the spring forum in Manchester and was struck by his enthusiastic and encouraging manner. He made sure that people were introduced to others from neighbouring areas so that they could form useful contacts and thereby organise regional events.

Andrew’s promotion of regionalisation will ensure CF’s increasing effectiveness and appeal to those outside London. Andrew has shown those of us not living in the capital that he is capable of achieving much through his work on CF TV and radio.

He is clearly an experienced officer in CF and has many personal attributes that will make him a successful leader for this organisation. He has identified changes that need to be made to guarantee that CF becomes a professional and impressive body and I feel confident that my vote will be going to the right candidate.

Anna Appleton

Bye Bye Dave

2006-09-01T16:19:00.000-07:00

This just in from Bigze's website

Labour's attack machine set up the 'Dave the Chameleon' website to bash D.C.

Labour's focus groups showed that David Cameron would be vulnerable to attack over his modernisation agenda. Bad idea - the website has now stopped being updated.

R.I.P Labour's Spin Department.....

CF Support

2006-09-01T06:22:00.000-07:00

A busy few days, so apologies for not keeping the blog up to date. Off to Havering tonight and hustings in Manchester on Saturday - if you're going to either, I'll see you there.

CF Support is the name for the four teams of volunteers who are helping to contribute to CF. Based all over the country but collaborating over the Internet to deliver services for the benefit of all our members.

Copywriters Teams - Two teams of writers who allow CF.com to update its website twice a day. Before it was two articles per month, now 700 articles later the teams are larger than ever before and able to take on other tasks, like script writing for CF TV

CF TV - A multimedia website run by volunteers aimed at using new technologies to capture an emerging market in online broadcasting. All run for free, and a great way of raising the profile of the organisation.

CF Net - The final big project. To bridge the gap in communication at a local level, CF Net will allow branches to advertise their events on a regional site, maintained by a team of tech savvy volunteers. Unlike our exisiting sites the regional sites can be modified on a weekly basis, providing a greater flexibility.

These projects comprise almost 120 volunteers working to improve CF. I'm standing in this election to make the point that the future success of CF relies not on a fractured system where each small part pursues short-term gain, but on bringing together the seperate elements into a dynamic organisation that works.

CF Net

2006-08-31T03:04:00.000-07:00

Article on CF Diary - Here

Conservative Future is proud to announce the launch of its new tool to help improve our communications nationwide

CF Net is the name for a group of eleven regional websites, designed to help put you, the members in touch with other young Conservatives in your local area. Each site will carry national CF news, contact details of chairmen, info on events and links to members websites. Eventually, the regional sites will link directly into the newly redesigned ConservativeFuture.com website

Importantly, every chairman within the region will be able to post directly to the site, allowing you to see what they are up to, add your comments and get in touch.

The project is run by a team of website moderators who will soon be offering help in allowing you to get started with your own simple websites. For the moment, they will take any links, contact details and news for events to post on the site.

To find your local website, simply type in www.conservativefuture.com/ followed by your region name. (need help finding your region, use the postcode finder - http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=people.find.page)

London - www.conservativefuture.com/london
South East – www.conservativefuture.com/southeast
South West - www.conservativefuture.com/southwest
West Midlands - www.conservativefuture.com/westmidlands
East Midlands - www.conservativefuture.com/eastmidlands
North East - www.conservativefuture.com/northeast
North West – www.conservativefuture.com/northwest
Yorkshire - www.conservativefuture.com/yorkshire
Eastern - www.conservativefuture.com/eastern
Wales - www.conservativefuture.com/wales
Northern Ireland - www.conservativefuture.com/northernireland

The sites are undergoing a constant process of improvement, and so we are relying on your input.

CHAIRMEN – If you would like to register to contribute directly to your area page on your regional site, please email your website moderator, details on the home page of each site.

Registrations will be confirmed and access granted from October 1st when the new Area Chairmen take their positions.

For the Record: CF Radio interviews the candidates

2006-08-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

I had hoped to do this for hustings, but it is sadly out of bounds. So here it is, your once in a lifetime chance to hear the candidates for the 2006 CF Chairman election speak.

Listen to my bit here

This election will be dissapointing in that by the time most people have voted, the total debate and discussion will be on the short side to say the least. Having spent a year putting together a team of volunteers with the skills and the equipment to be able to broadcast live events it seems a waste not to use them.

Regardless, if you are lucky enough to live close to one of the hustings venues, I'll see you there.

UPDATE: Tory Radio interview today, expect to see it on Friday

Hustings

2006-08-29T05:16:00.000-07:00

The Manchester Hustings will take place on the 2 September @ 7pm - KRO BAR, 325 Oxford Road, Chorlton on Medlock, Manchester M13 9PG.

http://www.kro.co.uk/control.php?_command=/DISPLAY/67/1

Just to confirm that the London Hustings for the CF Elections will take place at CCHQ, 25 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0DL on Friday 8 September at 7pm.

All Chairman candidates will have an opportunity to speak for 3 minutes each. All NME candidates will have an opportunity to speak for 1 and a half minutes each. This will be followed by questions.

Contested Area Chairman candidates will have an opportunity to speak (in London) for 1 and a half minutes each.

This will be followed by questions. Email Richard Jackson at richard.jackson@conservatives.com so your name can be added to the guest list (this only applies to the London Hustings).

Sign Up Campaign: This just in

2006-08-29T04:26:00.000-07:00

A member has got in touch to express his dismay at the problems with receiving a ballot. I am in the same boat despite being registered in my home constituency for the past two years. The sender has asked to be kept anonymous.

I am writing to express my concern that I did not automatically recieve a ballot paper for the national Conservative Future elections currently underway; I have been a member of the XXXX Association continuously for at least five or six years (in addition to a couple other constituencies with which I have connections), and I know you have always had an up to date address on file for me because I always receive the Blueprint newsletter in the post.

Furthermore, you correctly have me down as being of Conservative Future age since I receive emails from you regarding XXXX CF events. So I am surprised and disappointed that I did not receive a ballot paper for the CF elections - it is my understanding that CCHQ asked associations for lists of CF members and cannot therefore understand why I did not get a ballot paper.

This morning I have had to phone the CF office in CCHQ, where it was confirmed that I was not on the list of registered CF electors, and only now are they processing a ballot paper for me. I have always found the XXXX office extremely efficient in comparison to other associations, so am doubly confused as to how this lapse occurred.

Anon

(Disenfranchised? - to request a ballot email richard.jackson@conservatives.com)

Endorsements: Richard Holloway - Publicity Officer - CF Sheffield

2006-08-29T02:08:00.000-07:00

Richard is a member of a hard working and professional CF student branch. students like those in Sheffield are able to make a huge difference to the fortunes of the local party. It is easy to overlook students or, at worst, regard them as a nuisance. However, our student branches, with a little guidance, could prove to be the key difference in winning elections in target seats.
"Having worked with Andrew on various projects, I can attest to his hard working and determined nature.

His keen vision for an professionally run CF, while unglamourous, is exactly what is needed. I am relatively new to the party and doing my utmost to campaign in Sheffield. The strong, regional focus that Andrew is pushing for is the only way to enable the talents of so many CFers to be fully harnessed."

Richard

For your amusement...

2006-08-28T13:42:00.000-07:00

Candidates Greg Stafford (NME and London West) and Matthew Richardson (NME) have hit upon the perfect formula for electoral success. I think Matt would be a good addition to the NME- his sense of humour seems to be ironclad.

Enjoy the below campaign email sent to OUCA members..... (P.S - let's see your comments)

"Dear OUCA Member,

As you may be aware, the Conservative Future annual elections are upon us once again and we are both standing for the Executive. Both of us were heavily involved in OUCA before we went down in 2004, (Matt has been OUCA Returning Officer and Greg, OUCA's candidate for the Holywell Ward) and are still regularly in touch with OUCA and its members.

OUCA has always had a healthy disrespect for Conservative Future and rightly so. The organisation provides few benefits for such an ancient and august institution as OUCA and it is usually incompetently managed. However, having left Oxford we feel that CF might benefit from a few decent people trying to turn it round and so that is why we have decided to stand.

We will certainly make sure that OUCA members who are also CF members will see the benefits of our election!!

Even if you think CF is a waste of money or at best an irrelevance, we would kindly ask for your support in the election. We will try to make that difference!

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us.

Best wishes,

Gregory Stafford Matthew Richardson
St. Peter's College St. Peter's College
Gregory.stafford@btinternet.com matthew@matthewrichardson.com
07973 119 625 07838 150 180
www.gregstafford.net www.matthewrichardson.com

VOTE STAFFORD AND RICHARDSON FOR CF NME

For the weekend: Vote or Die!!!

2006-08-25T07:23:00.000-07:00

First election bulletin yesterday, I'm off to Somerset for the weekend

Email: andrew@andrewyoungcampaign.com , will pick up emails on Monday.

I've noticed that as the election goes on more people are getting worked up. This is understandable. Outside of London (and even inside) frustration and a lack of support leave people feeling let down.

But it's not that the NME don't work, it's that a lot hard work they do is on the wrong direction. I hope with the internet projects I have started this year there is a partial solution (more details on ConHome next week), a lasting legacy that makes our communications better in the long run.

The NME needs to look to the long run with all the work it does, and cut out anything that distracts from the key tasks of building up the capability of the grassroots to thrive. Everything we do next year should be to found a lasting change.

I hope that this year's frustration can translate into something constructive, and that whatever the result, there will be a massive change in how the NME works. Lasting change is possible, and now is the time to start it.

P.S - As I may not be able to post over the weekend, here's an educational video on the value of voting. Enjoy!! (Not Safe For Work)

P.P.S - Use the email function on the bottom of this post to send it to your friends

Bees to Honey

2006-08-25T01:29:00.000-07:00

Battersea CF last night.

Battersea is the youngest constituency in the country and the Wandworth Conservatives perhaps the best organised in the country.

Here's the weird thing. Of all the constituency chairmen, only one is over the age of 35. Hence, what counts as Battersea CF (rightly, associations are flexible in defining what their CF includes) is responsible for keeping the party in winning ways.

At the next election, Battersea looks certain to be taken by the Conservatives, this will be down to the efforts of a young association leadership - but not too young. The average age last night was in the late-20s/early-30s, this is what, in Battersea, counts as CF.

To succeed as an organisation, CF must extend to these older members. Currently, the younger demographic dominates CF. This is understandable - during the wilderness years it was student branches that kept CF afloat - but there is a real benefit to having a 'youth' organisation for people much older as well.

How to do it then? Well for a start this doesn't have to involve punishing students. Rather than pursue a negative policy of exclusion, the aim should be to attract new members in the right age bracket. This involves tailoring the event to the audience.

A suggestion I think that has legs is the idea of a revived 'City Circle'. A networking organisation aimed at getting young professionals involved. Importantly, this allows for targetted recruitment events - inviting the young professionals from large companies to meet with the shadow cabinet member relevant to their profession, and recruiting shamelessly.

The Jesse Norman event was such a success because it was obviously a brainy, policy-focussed discussion. This had the natural effect of attracting an older crowd, tailoring events in this way allows members to decide for themselves what they want to go to. That should be the emphasis we focus on.

CF Radio Tonight and Battersea CF

2006-08-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

CF Radio will be interviewing the candidates for Chairman tonight.

Were I allowed any influence I would also have recorded hustings to allow members to see how their future representatives cope under pressure and how they tackle the difficult questions. As it is the Chairmen will have 7 minutes to sell you their ideas on how they would run the biggest political youth organisation in the UK.

Update: Bit of a disaster, the interview lapsed into an unfocussed and frankly boring to and fro. Look out for the absolute clanger, I mention Regionalisation only once or twice despite it being the key to the campaign. - doh!!

CF Diary: Why I am standing for Chairman.

2006-08-24T03:25:00.000-07:00

See CF Diary next week when I will be writing a more detailed piece on the work I have been doing this year

WELCOME - To visitors from Conservative Home. Have a flick through the busiest campaign website - updated daily.

Here you will find the most detailed manifesto for how we can set about transforming CF for the better. Keep checking back for campaign updates and all the news from the election trail.

On nearly all the issues I agree with the NME and Chairmen candidates about what should be done - in fact you can probably flick through the manifestoes of this year and previous years and agree yourself. However, the barrier to preventing a permanent improvement in CF's fortunes has been how we are run.

I am pledging to begin in these next nine months a process of decentralisation. Setting the NME up as a service provider that facilitates the strengthening of CF at its lowest levels.

Beginning with CF at a regional level for most of the country (with the potential to do the same at Area then branch level in future years), we will embed the principle of self-reliance and of the centre regarding its role only in the context of how it helps the grassroots.

This is the radical change I am talking about - if you believe, as I do that, this change is the only way to deliver a sustainable revival in CF then send me an email your support is welcome.

And to those of you already snapped up by the other candidates - I realise that I came into this campaign late, and some of you have been signed up for perhaps four months with the other candidates, but, if you want to break the cycle of low expectations, perhaps the real change you can make is in your support.

Endorsement: Anne-Marie Gregory, Chairman Portishead Central

2006-08-24T01:44:00.000-07:00

I’ve known Andrew since I first became a CF copywriter quite a while back now. I’d like to offer him my endorsement as the ideas which he has are exactly what Conservative Future requires.

Not only does he have ideas he has worked very hard sorting out and providing a lot of support for Media Teams, Copywriting Teams and the recent CFTV & CF Radio projects.

I agree with many of his views, especially those on regionalisation, as it is imperative members nationwide feel involved. As it stands there are many areas which have little or no involvement in CF activities as many seem to take place in London. Regionalisation will give the chance for members who would not have normally wanted to get involved on a national scale get involved within the local community and who knows maybe even boost our membership numbers.

I’d like to finish by wishing Andrew all the best in his campaign to become CF National Chairman.

Anne-Marie Gregory
Chairman Portishead Central

Anne Marie is one of the hard working young women that are helping to transform the face of the Conservative Party. CF and her local party have benefitted from her efforts, CF must make the effort to attract and retain many more like her.

Andrew

Sign Up Campaign: Ballot Free

2006-08-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

Your suggestions in the comments below please, as to what is the best way to record members who don't have a ballot this year.

There is a serious worry that the elections are undermined by the lack of ballots, this could be a factor in the pitiful number of candidates who bother to stand and the general lack of enthusiasm for the election.

The difference

2006-08-22T02:38:00.000-07:00

The manifestoes are full of cliches for a simple reason, we all know what needs to be done, but I'm not going to start picking an argument there. After a frustrating year on the exec I am arguing that CF should change how it works. This is the difference.

A quick flick through the manifestoes will reveal numerous schemes for the year ahead. This is understandable, simple goals appear to be progress. This year it was events, the exec came to the conclusion that if only we worked really hard and organised lots of events then we would have succeeded, we even co-opted another member to organise them.

This election the schemes include targetted campaigns, membership drives or NUS.

However, whoever takes charge next year will be the person in charge of CF in every part of England, Wales and NI and for every task for which CF has responsibility. Whilst pursuing one or more of these goals obsessively may bring short term gains, the problem will remain the same, that the NME consists of seven people (ten at most) and a centralised model will entrench the slow decline we are now seeing in CF.
My main goal is to radically change how CF works. To do this there must be a dynamic shift to the lowest levels of the organisation for all of our key tasks. The NME must stop acting as a London-based super branch and make a permanent change to a service provider and strategic body.

Success in the regions will involve the establishment of a regional identity and cooperation on a regional basis. Achieving the critical mass for taking on larger projects in every region must be the aim of this nine months.

Make no mistake, as a national organisation CF is failing - most of you will appreciate this already - but there is huge potential in our members and it is possible to set in place the means for future success.

Andrew

Endorsement: Stephen Hendry, former chair KUCA

2006-08-22T02:23:00.000-07:00

The main qualities I look for in a candidate is looking at their record of success. Andrew's record is the best of the three. Andrew has initiated and delivered projects such as CFTV, CF Radio & CF NET. Andrew has shown drive and passion to complete these tasks with very limited resources. The foundations has been laid to develop our future online presence.I strongly believe if Andrew is elected CF chairman he will once again be ableto set a firm base for CF to grow.

Andrew has always been willing to listen and take on board newideas. This is a refreshing change. Andrew has empowered me to helpimprove CF web presence & I thank him for that. It has been a pleasureto work with him these past few months on CF web presence.

I fully back Andrew in this campaign and urge that you do too.

Stephen Hendry
Former KUCA Chairmen

New Website - Coming soon

2006-08-21T05:15:00.000-07:00

As the campaign has grown it's become necessary to improve the website. So keep your eyes peeled to www.andrewyoungcampaign.com for the finished product.

In the meantime, I've changed the blog a bit, hope you like it, just a bit of harmless fun (I'm hoping Iain Dale won't sue).

Don't worry, the blog will remain an important bit of the website and allow people to post (sane) comments on each issue.

For the Record: CF TV -Jesse Norman - Virtual Event

2006-08-21T03:53:00.000-07:00

View Add Favorite

Following the very successful Jesse Norman, CF TV is able to launch its first 'Virtual Event'.

Click Here to Listen

Getting outside the M25 is always a challenge for CF. Getting a good speaker to travel can be hard to do, but, with CF TV and CF Radio we now have the ability to record and broadcast the best events via the internet.

Compassionate Conservatism could be the Tory 'third way' that sets the stage for a Conservative victory in the next general election, and its great that in this period of change for the party, CF is there recording it for posterity.

Like all the projects I have set up, CF TV is self-sustaining. It requires no funds, relies on coordinating volunteers towards a common goal and provides a real lasting benefit for the organisation. Until the next election, CF TV will be adding to our ability to communicate more effectively and as it is a glossy project, it raises the profile of CF amongst the senior party.

If I stand a chance of winning this election it will be based on my record, I am happy to measure what I have done for CF against any other candidate.

Sign Up Campaign: Update

2006-08-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

Update: For everyone who is worried about not receiving a ballot (again) this year rumours have reached me of good news.

CCHQ may be persuaded that members, (who can prove that they are members) who were not included on the list can get a ballot. More details when I get them....

Friday Night Live-ish with Jesse Norman

2006-08-18T02:54:00.000-07:00

CF Radio's popular weekly show had Jesse Norman as our guest.

Jesse is the author of 'Compassionate Conservatism: What it is, and why we need it'

LISTEN NOW

Our first 'Virtual Event' with Jesse recorded at CCHQ, will be available on Monday.

Endorsement: Matt Hartley

2006-08-18T02:36:00.000-07:00

“I've not met Andrew but he seems to be the only candidate who recognises that CF is a shadow of what it could be and who understands the extent to which it needs reform. I've followed what he has done throughout the year with Conservative Future TV and CF Net and think he's shown the commitment and enthusiasm that is needed to sort CF out.

Andrew gets my vote, and I wish him the best of luck.”

Matt Hartley
Chairman, University of Warwick CF
Standing for Area Chairman, Worcestershire & Warwickshire

NUS

2006-08-17T08:16:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, it isn't going anywhere and will never form a serious part of CF's programme for the year. The question is whether or not to do nothing or to tolerate it.

As a veteran NUS conference 2002, I'm inclined to say 'Why not?'.

There are few opportunities for Conservative Students nationally to meet up, and to have the NUS pay to give us the opportunity is a blessing in disguise. Not only does it allow us to build our communications network (I'm proposing that we attempt proper national campaigns for students next year) but it provides an excuse for the most important student campaign.

Sabbatical positions at universities should be our main priority. Most CF members join at university branches and go on to pursue their interest with the party in later life, catching as many people at this stage should be a priority in our student campaigning, Sabb Officers give us some important continuity and a network of established support.

Positions within the union, whilst offering some opportunity to moderate student politics will, more importantly, provide a foundation for establishing a strong presence on campus next year. The Lib Dems adopt this approach and target their campaigns according to where they need to target seats. Though smaller and less well funded, this approach works well for them, and there is no reason why CF cannot repeat it more sucessfully.

Students will be the great overlooked resource in this election, but the potential to establish a stronger presence on campus, with its knock on effect for the party in years to come cannot be overlooked.

Read 'em and weep

2006-08-17T02:17:00.000-07:00

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.

UPDATE: CF too boring to matter much

2006-08-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

Guido Fawkes, parliamentary blogger extraordinaire, has struggled so badly in trying to find a story out of the CF elections that he has essentially given up. No candidates were right-wing nutters or closet wets - no one has anything much political to say.

Not that that's a problem

CF doesn't do policy, and there's a very simple rationale for that. As a cohesive body it doesn't really exist, so all those members have no weight behind them. They can help swing elections, but kudos for doing this only extends to the local area they have been helping - we are not consistent enough as an organisation to make people sit up and take notice.

The task for the next nine months are about putting in place the systems to get CF working as a cohesive organisation. Also, bear in mind that CF either doesn't, or barely exists in huge swathes of the country. When I say it is a failing organisation, that is not hyperbole.

Until those problems are on the way to being solved there is little point in trying to play at politics.

Endorsements - Jonathan Ash Edwards, NME

2006-08-16T07:13:00.000-07:00

Jonathan got snapped up months ago. Had I been thinking of CF elections in May instead of actual elections Jonathan would have been my first port of call. He's a hard worker, but more importantly, a smart worker - CF needs more people like him.

"Although already committed to another candidate it is only fair to say that Andrew has worked hard on the CF Exec this year. He has been one of the most frequent NME attendees at CF campaign days and has been hugely innovative with his e-campaigning portfolio.

Being able to broadcast speaker events online for any member to watch is a huge step forward"

Jonathan

Guido called...

2006-08-16T04:52:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to get Guido Fawkes onto CF Radio for a while now.

Imagine my surprise when he called out of the blue and grilled me on the campaign.

Wish he hadn't now. I realised that his main point was that none of the candidates had any politics in their manifestoes - He's right!

But that's no surprise - CF needs civil servants, not junior politicos. The work of transforming the organisation is a long-term job and won't be achieved by grandstanding speeches or schmoozing.

It'll be a long-term process of building up the grassroots...unexciting, unglamorous and definitely not sexy.

It definitely won't help for the A-list...

Jesse Norman

2006-08-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

What a brilliant event!

I normally don't do events - I don't think the NME should be in the business of doing so - but CF TV needed to test its equipment ahead of the hustings, and this was an ideal opportunity.

Jesse was impressive on stage. He had a capacity to express well thought out ideas easily and had lots of time for everybody.

I have been to lots of CF events over the years and this was by far the most intelligent one I've been to. This was reflected in the audience. For the first time, I saw people in that critical over-25s age group dominating the event.

What's better is that we didn't need to ban anybody, or regulate, or hand pick attendees. We put on a brainier type of event and let people decide if it was their cup of tea -AND IT WORKED!!!

Rave reviews all round, to cap it all, we tested our ability to host a 'virtual event'. To record a good speaker and then put it online. Despite a cameraman being hospitalised (get well soon Garry), we were able to go ahead with both CF TV and Radio pieces, and we can now begin the long process of getting the programmes produced and put online.

If you attended the event, visit ConservativeHome to leave a comment about it.

Meanwhile, you can hear our first interview with Jesse on CF Radio's 'Friday Night Live-ish' on www.conservativefuture.com/tv

(Thanks to the CF TV team - Luke Janse van Rensburg, Mark Spiro, Alex Crowley and David Coleman)

WELCOME!

2006-08-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my campaign website, currently the busiest CF campaign website

Here you will find the most detailed manifesto of any CF Chairman candidate, and details of my record during my time on the Exec.

In my area - eCampaigning - I have begun some large projects to permanently improve our internet presence. These are long-term changes built to last that are staffed by eager volunteers who work together in motivated, well-run teams. None of their work is supported - so everything you see has been put together from scratch and is down to their hard work.

I intend to radically change CF. The past year has taught me that the central organisation can be unhelpful, even obstructive to nationwide success - therefore the NME as a central body will only take on work and roles to support the regions.

CF works best as a grassroots organisation, the next nine months must see the beginning of a significant period of growth in the regions. The next general election is only a few years away, we must begin the process now to prepare us to win.

If you have any questions, email me - andrew@andrewyoungcampaign.com

Nominations for CF Elections

2006-08-14T05:05:00.000-07:00

Nominations for the CF Elections have now closed. The clock is ticking until we find out who is standing for Chairman and NME.

UPDATE: List released

NME

Tim Aker
Karen Allen
Jonathan Ash-Edwards
Craig Cox
Ranil Jayawaradena
Claire Palmer
Matthew Richardson
Gregory Stafford
Patrick Sullivan
Chris Wales
Christian Walker

Chairmen
- Andrew Young
- Caroline Hunt
- Mark Clarke

2nd Update - all candidates confirmed here -

Endorsement: Lizzie Fison

2006-08-13T05:50:00.000-07:00

"I met Andrew while campaigning for the target seat of Sutton & Cheam in the general election. Andrew put in loads of effort, here most weekends and some evenings, injecting a welcome burst of energy into the whole thing, despite living elsewhere.

I've also seen his commitment to CF through his work on the website. As a writer in his team, I see how much he inspires and encourages us to contribute a broad range of articles that both challenge us and are fun to write.

Finally, he's a great friend who offers continued support and is great to bounce ideas with about my work for Sutton & Cheam CF and the LSE Conservative Association. Put simply, Andrew Young would be a dynamic breath of fresh air on the national CF exec, who I believe would help make CF a much more fun, interesting and efficient organisation to be a member of."

Lizzie Fison, Former Chairman of Sutton & Cheam CF and former Chairman of the LSE Conservative Association

For the Record: CF TV - almost Live

2006-08-11T04:26:00.000-07:00

I managed to get Jesse Norman for an event next Tuesday 15th August @7pm.

Jesse is one of the key thinkers behind the Cameron revolution and is best known for his work at the Policy Exchange. Recently, his book 'Compassionate Conservatism' has caused quite a stir and he'll be taking questions from everyone. Admission is free.

CF TV will be putting questions to him and YOU are invited to have your say. Check out the site.

This will also be our first attempt at a 'virtual event'. To solve the long-standing problem of getting good speakers out beyond the M25, we are recording the event and will be posting it on CF TV.

This is hopefully a long-term improvement to our communications strategy, and, technology problems permitting, we hope to do a lot more of these events. If you can make it, I hope to see you there....

Campaign logo

2006-08-11T04:20:00.000-07:00

Have been busy behind the scenes taking care of the boring stuff, but as nominations close on Monday I'll be gearing up for the campaign proper.

Keep checking in for updates and to find out a bit more on what should be done to fix CF.

Andrew

Conference Campaign: Clarification

2006-08-10T04:14:00.000-07:00

Seems some people have been hard at work misrepresenting what I said, so here it is to make sure everyone is clear:

"I was FOR the conference"

In fact for weeks before it happened I made clear time and again that this year's conference was going to be the best yet.

My point was that the students, who are our largest active group and also our most loyal activists, were fobbed off with a rainy morning in Manchester in a poky side room at Spring Forum, whilst the entire events team, funding and support were poured into Loughborough.

The conference in Loughborough was targetted at Working Life members and had a price tag to boot, after that there was little need to start excluding people, especially if they thought they would benefit from that sort of training.

Hope this clears things up...

Back Again

2006-08-09T02:52:00.000-07:00

Holiday is over (it rained anyway). Am just catching up on the emails today.

On holiday

2006-08-03T17:55:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

I will be on holiday until next Wednesday (9th August). As this may be my last break for a while I'm going to take the opportunity to get away from it all before coming back for the campaign proper.

CF is a failing organisation and needs radical change, I've set out in more detail than anyone else how exactly the foundations for that change can be laid in the next nine months.

If you agree with the need for change I would appreciate your support. I realise that the other two candidates have had over three months to wrap up everyone's support, but I've set out what I feel needs to change and what I have contributed to this organisation - both these things stack up well against anyone else in the race, so if you want to change CF, perhaps it's time to change your vote.

To pledge your support email me.

Best wishes,

Andrew

The Change Agenda: Campaigning

2006-08-03T02:02:00.000-07:00

So far I've talked about the basics, the simple reforms to get this organisation working better, but CF is one element of a political party and every candidate is going to have to set out in some detail how they would help win campaigns for the party.

Election 2009 - Our goal as an organisation must be the next general election and the local elections next year are the warm up for this.

I have already set out the need for strengthening branches and areas by the establishment of strong regional identities with the NME acting as a service provider. As part of their oversight of the regions the NME, working with their Regional Coordinator, will identify the likely target seats at the next election. It is imperative to found new CF branches in these target seats.

CF helps win elections by providing an injection of youth to the party in an area. I believe it would be possible to secure extra funding and senior party support for targetting under-30s in these seats. Including running campaigns aimed soleley at under-30s.

In the short term, the problems of a targetted strategy can be ironed out by fighting local elections or fighting issue campaigns aimed at raising the profile of CF.

Students - Currently we have no plan for students, they are our largest and most active element, but they are seldom used for much.

For one academic year, I plan to run three campaigns;

Sign Up - Basically the Fresher's and re-freshers campaigns aimed at boosting membership.
Student elections - NUS yes, BUT more importantly elections for student sabbatical officers. This is not about winning the good fight on campus, it's about securing a power base for next year's NME on campus.
Issue Campaign - One big issue aimed at raising the profile of CF on campus and engaging politcally curious students with a view to recruitment

For each of these campaigns the NME will ensure the provision of raw materials whether through Fresher's Packs, or by drawing up campaign guides and templates for leaflets and posters.

On a regional level we will target universities with direct help aimed at establishing a strong, lasting CF presence on campus in target seats. (The Lib Dems have tried this targetting approach on campus and it works)

Sign Up Campaign: URGENT!!!!!

2006-08-02T07:39:00.000-07:00

I had intended to do a gradual campaign urging people to make sure they got a ballot paper, (and highlighting the fact that most of our members never get the chance to vote), but I've just had a tip-off that CCHQ will only accept membership data until Monday.

THEREFORE - if you are the chairman of a branch who has not yet sent in your members details, you could be disenfranchising them.

Register now!! To check if you are a member or not ring CCHQ and ask for the membership department - 020 7222 9000

Election Gossip

2006-08-02T05:36:00.000-07:00

Are you standing for NME or Area Chair?

Leave a note in the comments to introduce yourself

Conference Campaign: 2 Days to go

2006-08-02T05:17:00.000-07:00

Time to wrap up this campaign to make way for the next and perhaps more important one.

The aim was simple; to get away from what Thatcher would call 'picking winners'. Poorly judged authoritarian decisions dressed up as an attractive, trendy idea for what is still a worthy goal.

Making students the scapegoat for our failings with graduates is wrong. We must attract more graduates, not deter students.

Regardless, if you are going to the conference - enjoy! It is our best funded event and luxurious isn't the word.

I will shortly give you my take on training, but just for your attention, I will be proposing the most extensive programme of training events yet seen. Simple one day training days, on a regional basis, hosted by a combined effort of the CF branches and Areas in that region.

In addition to training, I'll propose that NME will seek to enhance the education of its activists, beyond skills - to critical thinking about political issues, to address the future need for intellectual depth in the MPs and councillors of the future.

Endorsement: Francisco Esteves, Area Chair - Wirral and Cheshire

2006-08-02T02:32:00.000-07:00

Francisco Esteves the Area Chairman for Wirral and Cheshire has written this endorsement of my work and is supporting me for CF Chairman.

Francisco is a hard-working Area Chair and has been making links with CF branches in his region - a priority I will rank as number one if elected.

Francisco originally supported Caroline when asked months ago, because let's be honest, Caroline is a lovely girl and has been active in CF for a while - but once he found out I was standing he agreed to support me as he knows how hard I have worked, and also how I work.

Francisco was instrumental in the technical aspects of solving our communication problems. When we had to find a way to literally get something for nothing, Francisco was willing to devote his time and energy to the numerous difficult tasks involved in rewiring the blog software to form a functioning website. Now we are ready to launch a national network of regional sites, linked to the new CF.com site, that will enable members and chairmen to communicate more easily and cooperate on a regional basis.

Francisco's website can be found here - www.wccf.org.uk

CF TV on the elections

2006-08-02T02:12:00.000-07:00

Last Friday CF TV converged on Victoria street to shoot its first set of films. The first of them, on the subject of the CF Elections is available now - Click here (MP4 format)

CF TV is still at that early stage where we are learning lessons about how to get the best product from the limited resources we have (the ENTIRE project is run for FREE using the efforts of CF members and with no support from CCHQ).

CF TV is a project with a lot of potential for communication with our members and the public. It shows what can be achieved when members are brought together, trained and set to work according to a detailed plan.

The CF TV team, like the copywriters team and the soon-to-be-announced CF Net team, are my proudest accomplishments. Their hard work, shows what can be achieved when CF works smartly. If given the chance I hope to be able to do them justice, by taking the lessons learnt and applying them to a strategy of Regionalisation.

To do this I need YOUR help. I realise that many of you may have signed up for one of the two campaigns three months ago, but rather than campaigning, I've been working to deliver these permanent changes to CF.

CF needs change, will you change your vote?

Tony's New Job

2006-08-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

Courtesy: Conservative Future TV

For the Record: CF TV

2006-08-01T04:45:00.000-07:00

I had a good run of success with the Conservative Future.com Copywriters team, and when I was elected onto the NME I was given the e-Campaigning portfolio.

After a few unsuccessful tries to improve the website - I had drawn up a list of 42 items to be fixed, only 2 eventually were - it became clear that Central Office were not willing or able to offer us any IT support.

I also knew from researching what was likely to happen with broadband internet - we can expect a steady shift towards online activism as more and more people get online.

On this basis, with no support and a looming gap in our ability to engage our members, I launched CF TV - a multimedia site run by our members. The idea was slow to get off the ground as it is disporportionately labour intensive, but the formula for CF TV matched that of CF.com - recruit a large group of volunteers with relevant skills and organise them in a system that allows each to contribute a little to achieve a lot.

Today CF TV is starting to find it's feet. We have recently finished our first batch of filming and the weekly radio show, though only four weeks old, is improving week on week. Eventually, we hope to have a dynamic media team, that helps in our outreach to an increasingly media savvy generation.

Though filming is currently limited to London, it really is a national effort. Our scriptwriters can email in their scripts, editing is done via email in different parts of the country and best of all, anyone in the world can tune in.

Not bad for something we got totally for free.

Importantly, like the Copywriters and CF Net teams, CF TV is designed eventually to be self-sustaining. All these projects are not dependent solely on me once they are set up, this means all the hard work is not for short term goals (like the events this year), but rather for long term aims.

Caroline was kind enough to give CF TV a plug on her campaign blog, (she still appears with me on the weekly CF Radio show). However, if I'm going to persuade people, whom she and Mark have nabbed months ago, to switch their votes, I have to point out that my one year on the exec has yielded quite a few permanent changes, including big successes like CF TV.

Caroline has had two years - including one as Deputy Chairman, and I think I can match up to anything she can claim as her record.

If I stand a chance of winning this election it will be based on my record, I am happy to measure what I have done for CF against any other candidate.

Word of Warning: Part 2

2006-08-01T03:10:00.000-07:00

Just read this article on Conservative Home. It details the costs of being a candidate and the demands of time and energy.

The NME is a mini-version of this. Candidates were pointedly asked before the last election if they 'Do anything apart from politics?'

Everyone (including me) responded 'Oh yes!! Of course, I'm a really interesting outgoing person' Well, that used to be true.

Costwise it wasn't too bad, but candidates should expect to spend £2500 on travel, accomodation and extras. Timewise though, it's a complete disaster. If you're doing the job properly expect to work 40 hours+ in the busy weeks and at least 20 at other times (not great if you have exams or a busy job)

I'm lucky in that my job is contracted for 37 1/2 hours and travel time to and from work is short. Also, I get lots of holidays to use. Unlike my opponents I don't have the pressures of a job that demands added extras all the time, but if you're standing this year, bear in mind the nature of the job.

It's hard work, but it is worth it. This organisation desperately needs a strong youth wing to recruit and train the next generation of activists and help it win back the regions. If you want to join the campaign to radically change CF, email me.

Conference Campaign: 4 Days to Go

2006-07-31T12:36:00.000-07:00

Quick update: No word from Caroline, but Andy Strang left this on Conservatives inTouch (got an account there today)

QUOTE (AndyStrang @ Jul 25 2006, 02:30 PM)
16 year olds and 29 year olds don't mix. (rest of the comment deleted for being weird)

Beg to differ, price a training conference at £140 and that's unlikely to be a problem. Plus, let's be honest, if we can't trust people to sort their own social lives out at an event, we might as well give up now and call in the Politburo to regulate us all thoroughly.

The Change Agenda: Money

2006-07-31T08:56:00.000-07:00

Funding is a sore point for me. Either there isn't any, or securing funding requires a long lead time (eg. the new CF.com website - planned out in detail, but getting it to this stage has taken almost 14 months)

A few points RE funding:

EITHER, the NME must be given control of a modest discretionary budget
OR, the NME must address finding its own funding for the purposes of keeping a fighting fund, to contribute towards expenses
In general branches and areas must be self-sufficient, this also applies to funding
Training and sharing of best practice, will be provided by the NME to ensure that branch and area chairs can do this. Better fundraising techniques will be a constantly updated source of info from the exec.
Central funding towards larger projects on a regional level will be determined, in the style of the 'fresher's packs' for students, aimed at giving CF a standard level of professionalism across the regions.

The Change Agenda: The boring stuff

2006-07-31T06:34:00.000-07:00

Apologies if this sends you to sleep, but if I have learned anything in the past two and a half years, it's that professionalism requires attention to the details. Here's my take on how the exec can be made to run more professionally:

The NME will be run by a series of committees to increase accountability and decrease workload per individual thus expanding the scope and ability of the NME in each portfolio
Each portfolio will have a member of the NME assigned to manage the brief and in addition one other member acting as deputy. These members will ultimately be responsible to the NME for the planning of their programme, consultation with members and the senior party and delivery.
These members will recruit, as necessary, volunteers to help in the administration of each portfolio, thus expanding the capacity of each committee. The NME members leading each committee will be responsible for the conduct of their committee and it's volunteers
Each committee will submit its plan of action, and amendments, to the NME for approval
Each committee will be required to minute its meetings
The NME will produce a 'handover guide' to next year's NME allowing for it's successors to build on their success rather than start again from scratch.
The NME will use modern technology, e-conferencing, an NME blog and the existing websites to communicate with itself, chairmen and the members.

More info to follow - but the basic idea is simple. To run the NME as a national executive and not an overglorified branch. Bureaucracy seems pointless, and is boring - but I've seen the damage unaccountability and poor planning can do. Your exec should be accountable at every stage, these are some of the ways of introducing that accountability.

Slogan Competition

2006-07-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

Each candidate must submit a manifesto and an ever-so-naff slogan.

Time for some fun, let's hear your suggestions in the comments;

Vote Early, vote often
Forwards not Backwards! - (extra marks for good grammar)
It could be worse.....
Things can only get better (subject to approval from Peter Cunnah and the rest of D:Ream)
Compassionate Conservative Futureism
Vorsprung Durch Andrew Young

The Change Agenda: Read my lips -"No events"

2006-07-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

The NME elected in September will consist of six members and one chairman.

Seven people to run a national organisation, a ridiculously small number. If the NME were to take full advantage of all its co-options it could swell to a mighty nine people plus the chairman - or, put another way, the same membership as the CF in Salford Uni when I was there.

It strikes me that if ten people were expected to run an entire national organisation, it might be wise to focus on certain core tasks, to reassess what is possible and what is most useful.

This year's exec has focussed on events from the start, (our only co-option was for a second events organiser) but Nick's legacy would perhaps better be served by the other key idea to emerge from this year's exec - Regionalisation.

Running events is time consuming and difficult business. It is easier when events are organised close to home - hence the emergence of the London clique.

On this basis, there is no good reason why the NME should spend its time organising social events. Branch Chairmen should rightly cater for the social needs of their members and invite other nearby branches to join them where possible. Area Chairmen should do likewise, but for the bigger events, and also aim for some coordination of events across an area. If elected, I will insist that we start appointing regional coordinators as the constitution allows to allow regions to take on a unique identity and start thinking big.

CF needs more events - and there is no point in the NME doing it all themselves. Rather, a concerted effort to move the emphasis from centre to the regions is needed. This will involve removing the idea of the NME doing social events.

For National events, such as training days and conference, any NME I chair will be asking Areas or regions to host the social elements. This will not only give people good experience of hosting events and taking responsibility, but it will also allow regions other than London and the South East to raise their profile.

Campaign Pledges -

Regional Coordinators, each accountable to a member of the exec, appointed to provide support to Chairmen and Region and to ensure needs in the regions are fed back to NME
More events - coordinated on a regional basis, with better publication
Training - on how to throw better events and fundraise
Building up Regions - asking branches, areas and regions to contribute as a key element of the national organisation not a add-on.
Constitutional Change - The NME should be expanded to reflect the scale of the task. A constitutional amendment will be submitted to the board to this effect.

For the Record:ConservativeFuture.com

2006-07-30T06:39:00.000-07:00

I loved the opportunity to write for CF's website - http://www.conservativefuture.com/. The Copywriters teams are a great way to involve members - after all you don't have to live in London to contribute to CF's flagship source of information.

When Richard Jackson and I were approached about running two teams of writers for the site, I thought it was a great idea and we both set about trying to deliver a massive amount of material (10 articles per week, up from 2 per month).

I enjoyed the challenge of figuring out a system that would work to produce the least work per person, but the greatest results.

Today, the Copywriters teams encompass nearly 50 people (70 on an informal basis). They are all ages and from all backgrounds. 29 year old academics, mix with students who have just finished their GCSEs. Many writers would not otherwise be involved in CF. They receive training at our writing workshops, which we are soon to open to the senior party. (CF.com alumni include ConservativeHome's Sam Coates, Exec member Claire Palmer, and North Southwark and Bermondsey Chairman Martin Cakebread)

Importantly, I no longer manage the teams on a day-to-day basis. Writers who have worked their way through the ranks now run their own teams. For specific projects, eg campaigns and scripts for CF TV I will give them some input, but they are in charge and thriving in the role.

The Copywriter Team's success was my inspiration in standing for the NME last year, I thought that if we could introduce those clear systems of working, the potential of our members would be huge. I'll talk later about CF TV and CF Net, but needless to say the possibilities are there for greater participation by ordinary members to make our organisation much better.

ConservativeFuture.com will soon be revamped according to the plan I have helped to draw up. In addition the presence of our new internet tools (CF TV and CF Net) will increase the ability of CF to communicate with both the public and its own members (communication between centre and regions is frighteningly bad).

If I stand a chance of winning this election it will be based on my record, I am happy to measure what I have done for CF against any other candidate.

Conference Campaign: 6 Days to go

2006-07-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

Still no word from Caroline or Andy as to whether or not they support banning students or any other groups from certain events. Don't be shy guys - leave a message in the comments or email me.

I was reminded that Zoe Aylward (who proposed me last year) organised an event on a party boat on the Thames. This required, as all social events do, a lot of time and effort. Anyway, Zoe headed off on holiday only to return to find that the event had been cancelled because there was some confusion over whether the event was Student Life or Working Life.

Student Life or Working Life? What's wrong with getting the boat, filling it with CF members of all shapes and sizes, adding alcohol and setting sail?

Zoe took the news with tremendous good humour and patience, but it was a shabby way to deal with someone else's work.

Getting hung up on the student question is counterproductive - providing good events smartly targetted is the way to attract Working Life members.

(Manifesto is nearing completion expect it soon)

Any Questions?

2006-07-29T04:35:00.000-07:00

Alright guys, you must have a million questions. I am writing the manifesto today and tomorrow, but in the meantime, if there are any burning issues you want an honest answer on leave them in the comments, or email.

Confession Time

2006-07-29T04:01:00.000-07:00

I'm not a Catholic, but something tells me that a bit of confession is good for the soul right now.

Truth is, I once joined the Mark Clarke Campaign - well almost.

The decision not to stand again for NME was made a while ago, and I had just planned to carry on with the work with CF.com, CF TV and CF Net, as well as the training days.

However, at a friends barbecue, the now ubiquitous pairing of Clarke and Palmer arrived. I thought it was odd that they were there, but assumed that one or both of them had struck up a friendship with our host.

Whilst I was grilling the burgers, future A-Lister Mr Clarke sidled up to me and began to chat.

"So Andrew are you going to stand again?"

"Umm...no, the NME is too expensive, and it doesn't help with the work I do with CF to be a member. I'm just gonna manage the teams in the same way I did with the Copywriters before I got elected."

"Oh that's good, cause I'm going to need, that sort of help when I'm in there. It''ll be good to have someone doing that."

...and so I became a hapless stooge to the best funded campaign CF has ever seen.

Thing is though, I really don't know Mark, and supporting the ClarkePalmer slate was unlikely. I've been a member of CF for four years now and know most of the long-standing activists, and Mark isn't amongst them.

The only thing I do know, is that he is one of the organisers of the CF Conference, and as good as that event will be (and with all the funding it's being given) I feel really uncomfortable about the student ban.

As much as CF does need a shot of professionalisation, when the Chairman's term is likely only to be nine months, I'm not sure we can spare the time for someone to learn the ropes. We definitely can't afford to have more politburo schemes from the centre.

I realise that Caroline and Mark have been campaigning for months before I even decided to stand, but I'll happily compare my record in this past year with anything either of them have done for CF. If you were signed up to support either camp before the summer, now is the time to change. Email me.

Conference Campaign: 7 Days to go

2006-07-28T07:05:00.000-07:00

Update: Success!! A student rang RE the conference yesterday and thanks to one post on this blog no-one was able to say no.

No excuses, no 'You should've gone to Manchester' - just a quiet backing down and acceptance of the money.

Let's be honest - any member who is willing to fork out £140 should be allowed to go. After all this is our best funded event and it doesn't benefit the organisation to start playing silly beggars with the student ban.

Question is...will any of the other candidates for Chairman support the principle of equality for all members? Caroline? Andy? We already know where the Clarke/Palmer camp stand on this issue.

Comments in the comments section, or email.

Conservatives In Touch

2006-07-28T06:50:00.000-07:00

Looking at the stats of who is visiting the page - Conservatives In Touch.net seems to be sending the most traffic my way.

Scary really, CIT is the Mr Hyde version of ConservativeHome.com, a way to put members in touch, but unlike ConHome, there are no reasoned debates, or discussions on road pricing policy. Rather it's all gloves off pugilistic stuff.

Unfortunately, as anyone who reads that forum will know, a CF forum is out of the question (for a start we would find it difficult to pay the resulting legal fees). However, CF Net our regional internet project has proved a step in the right direction in allowing a greater degree of interactive communication. When it launches in the next couple of weeks members will be able to see who represents them locally, get local news and comment on what's going on.

In additon, if elected, I'll start an NME blog to keep members up to date on what's going on, and members of the NME will be able to post as much or as little as they want regarding their work. Members can then post comments and contact the members directly on specific issues.

In the post

2006-07-28T02:21:00.000-07:00

This morning whilst doing the post I saw the Conservative Future Information Pack. This is sent out to MPs, Assembly Members, Council Leaders, ACs etc. and contains a mini library of guides to each aspect of running a CF branch.

It marks the culmination of a year's experience and the fulfillment of my pledge to provide an e-library of advice (all booklets can be emailed to members on request). This is a decent start but imagine had we been focussed on this sort of support work from the start rather than trying to run a quasi-branch that specialised in events?

Two Points:

I am pledging to focus on the provision of training, resources and services from the centre. Running branches is for the Area and Branch Chairmen to do, not the London clique.
The future success of CF relies upon engaging the senior party. An NME committee, headed by one Executive member, will focus solely on this aim.

The Change Agenda: Blue skies thinking

2006-07-27T04:18:00.000-07:00

My part of the election will focus relentlessly on the need for change in Conservative Future.

This is not a minor change, tinkering round the edges or for cosmetic effect. This is a root to branch transformation of how we work in CF.

The massive potential of CF is staggering. Five months ago when I conceived the idea for CF TV, I thought we might get some media students and a camcorder and try and make some short clips of middling to poor quality.

When I put out the ads, as with CF Net and CF.com I wasn't sure what we would see back - BUT every time I am amazed at the volume and quality of applicants.Professionals, students - all immensely talented and hungry to start getting involved. Regardless of their age or background, they wanted to start having their say in the party.

This is the amazing secret about CF, we are a diverse group that cares more passionately than most about the future of this great party - I care about turning it around and so far have had some success in uniting wildly different members in working towards a common goal.

This campaign has a lot of catching up to do, but if you are fed up of the status quo I could do with your help. Email me

Conference Campaign: 8 Days to go

2006-07-27T03:37:00.000-07:00

Students aren't a bad bunch of people.

True, they can get away with working a three hour week and one or two can go through the 'questionable personal hygiene' phase, but look at the facts. Our most active members in CF are students, and of those, more describe themselves as a 'committed activist' than for our graduate members. (Precise figures to follow)

That is why, when we are running our most expensive and best training conference in a week's time it is wrong to exclude students.

Cherry picking attendees, inviting non-members and encouraging a working-life only policy may seem like the best way to build up our graduate membership, but when all the poor students got was a single, rainy morning in Manchester before conference started it seems a bit harsh.

No doubt some students will have escaped the sift and they should enjoy what is perhaps our most luxurious conference ever, but in my experience with running training sessions for the Copywriters team at CF.com, the mix of ages isn't a problem - the winning strategy will be to offer something that is attractive to our older members, not to regulate against the students.

Will student applications be welcomed for the last few places at conference? Time will tell...

Yes

2006-07-26T08:33:00.000-07:00

ConservativeHome is starting a CF Thread to cover the CF election. It's name?

/torydiary/2006/07/are_you_a_young.html

Are you A. Young?

With luck like that this election will be easy...

Word of Warning

2006-07-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

Election time usually excites a lot of interest, and the people applying are a real mix. If you are thinking of standing there are a couple of things to bear in mind.

1) It's hard work - my time on the NME matched my real job in terms of hours worked per week. Difference is - my real job paid me, the NME cost money (a lot of money). If you are going to do it you need to be able to put most other things on hold and be prepared to commit to 9 months of hard slog.

2) Expect no help - CF as it currently stands has no functioning system of member support and no budget (at least not one the NME get to see). Therefore expect everything you do to be done completely as a result of your own efforts. (eg. CF TV, and CF Net are done on blog software for a reason, and not just because it's user friendly)

3) Politicians Beware - though we all campaign for our jobs, the work is more akin to a civil service. If you expect great rewards, recognition or a shortcut to the A-List, perhaps its time to reconsider. Having said that, youth politics can get very nasty, so prepare yourself for some dodgy dealings and lots of firefighting of egos and rows.

IF, after all that, you can still recognise that CF is an essential element to the future success of this great party, and that it MUST to be turned around, then good luck! (Am happy to sign nomination papers to ensure a large field; after all, Caroline and I signed each others in a fit of sportsmanship)

The Contest Begins

2006-07-26T06:42:00.000-07:00

A bit of a late entry into the contest, mind you, to beat the other two I would have had to start at least a minimum of 2-3 months ago, and I've got work to do because CF TV, ConservativeFuture.com and CF Net are all huge projects and I make no apology for spending most of my time on these.

CF is a failing organisation, but as you can see from the above we are capable of great things. With good leadership and experience of how CF works it can be made better, I am standing on the following:-

- Regionalisation - the NME as a central body will only take on work and roles to support the regions
- My Record - Compare what I have achieved in CF in one year with any other candidates record
- Professionalisation - CF will work as a professional organisation and banish its bad habits

If that sounds good to you, email.

Every Little Helps

2006-07-26T05:45:00.000-07:00