“Things do not change; we change.”
Henry David Thoreau (1817-
My Manifesto, My Pledge
Dear all, my name is Harry Rowe and I’m standing for election to the National Management Executive (NME) latter this year. I’ve received a lot of support from all areas of the party, particularly friends and family who have urged me to take on the NME challenge. Its been a privilege to work for the Conservative party over the past few years. I’ve gained both enormous experience and good friends. I feel its time now to put something back into the organisation that’s done so much for me.
Its never been a better time to be a Conservative. The change that the party has so desperately needed for so long has materialized in the form of David Cameron. His ‘compassionate conservatism’ has brought on a ‘wind of change’ that has rattled the labour benches in a way not seen since the early 90’s. However I’m plagued by a consuming doubt that the change we need hasn’t reached all areas of the party. As its likely the next executive may lead Conservative Future into the next election, these problems must be addressed.
The incumbent executive, led by Mark Clark, have had an enormous amount of success. I not only wish to build on this but to address the currant lack of both representation and communication across the country. I believe Conservative Future is uniquely placed to make a huge impact on the outcome of the next election. Change and commitment now will see huge dividends in elections to come.
Change
My Manifesto incorporates structural change, party cohesion and policy direction. These points will confront how the party works, who it works for and how can it work better. These come under three titles that represent the themes of my manifesto pledge.
1) Unity and Cohesion
- Campaign days to be more frequent and focused in marginal constituencies. This will be both sociable and useful as we approach a general election.
- Regular newsletters and emails from the party will keep each member up-
to- date and inform them of any changes in the party (e.g. Campaign days etc). - More CF socials will foster a greater sense of both belonging and fun to the party as a whole. A review of prices and themes must be looked at to boost numbers attending these events.
- Meetings between Area chairmen and the NME to become a quarterly fixture of the CF calendar.
2) Structural Change
- An annual Conservative Future conference. Designed to keep the members of Conservative Future informed of what the party is doing in their interests. This could become an important fixture of the Conservative Calendar and would be of enormous benefit to the party as a whole.
- Greater unity with the Scottish CF. This is an important issue as it important to show solidarity and a united front in the face of SNP popularity.
- A CF member to be appointed to represent the CF in Wales. This position will alleviate the growing gap between Welsh CF’ers and the national body.
- To create a sub group within CF that deals specifically with international matters.
E.g. the group will facilitate friendships with like-
minded organisations around the world and will represent CF within international bodies. - A Conservative Future Speakers Ring must be put together. This will allow branches throughout the UK to get hold of high profile speakers (e.g. politicians, activists etc). As it stands some CF branches rely on the good will of their local MP to speak, this policy will create diversity.
3) Building on Success
- More CF branches are needed. This is particularly important in marginal constituencies where we really need to make gains.
- A report at the beginning of the year to set out the goals and policies of the Executive. This will be a unified manifesto which will be easy to follow and allow easy scrutiny of the NME members.
- As an NME member I will produce monthly reports on the area of policy I’m responsible for, this will then be available on the Internet for members to download.
- But above all, I pledge to make CF ready to fight a general election. To create the infrastructure and force that is really necessary to make a difference in all areas of the country.
Harry Rowe
