Questions you may want to ask:
Why are you standing - again - haven't you had enough?
When I decided to stand last year, I did it because I thought CF needed to reflect its members better, and that the organisation
was not as welcoming and approachable as it could be.
This year we have made every event (that CF National has held) approachable, welcoming and friendly. I now want to make
sure these people stay involved, and that they continue to get more people involved.
By continuing to focus on events as one way of motivating our members, but also targetting our target seats and setting
up branches there, CF can do something to help us win the 2009 (or whenever it is) election.
Are we ever going to have any events outside London?
I have tried out formats for event in London this year with a view to rolling some of them out to the rest of the UK.
If it doesn't work close to Westminster, when it is easier to get MPs, there is a large number of graduates and a large number
of potentially Conservative voters, we definitely aren't going to succeed in Manchester.
For working life we need to identify key individuals in key cities and give them the support and resources to put on
their own events, and grow their own branches.
For the universities, they do a great job already. Most universities have their own branch and they put on a number of
events each year.
CF can work with the MPs and the Party to encourage our key individuals to attend a range of campuses and association
branches to attend an event.
What should we be doing for students?
Personally I believe that we do a significant amount for our student members. We spend a significant amount of money
on providing material for the Freshers Fayre campaign, and thanks to the team this year these materials have gone out earlier
than ever before.
Student CF branches are lucky because it is quite confined - events are not held far from members, and accordingly
travel is not an issue. As you will see below, non-university branches are a different story.
We should be providing training for our CF University Chairmen (and women), and we should be providing support through
regular phone and e-mail contact.
Finally, we need to make sure that the resources that are put into attracting students to the party, and the huge efforts
from our CF University Branches are not wasted. For this we need to ensure that onward data is gathered and forwarded onto
local associations to ensure that members are not lost. We also need to ensure that there are working life events for them
where they go onto.
What about working life?
As many people know, I have focussed on working life this year. The reason for it is that I found that CF did not have
anything for me, or for friends of mine who whilst they might vote Conservative are not currently highly political. A number
of our members felt that CF was just for students, and commented that whilst they had nothing against students they wanted
some events, that were with other working people.
We need to focus on CF organisations growing in our cities, and in encouraging our members to stay involved post university.
Like many things in politics, it is perception that matters. A 25 year old female is less likely to want to belong to
an organisation (whether branch, or nationally) run by an 18 year old student, than if there are a number of 25-30 year olds
already involved.
This year's conference was a great success with high numbers of women and new members attending from around the country.
I have never heard from CF - why not?
CF set out a plan this year for regular updates to our Area Chairman and Branch Chairman, from our member responsible
for the Areas and the Regions. This did not work as it could have.
I agree that it is vital to ensure effective communciation with our members, but it is important that it is a two way
process. Every individual that contacted me as a member of the Executive received a prompt reply and guidance requested. Where
I couldn't help I passed them onto to someone who could.
What are my strengths?
I bring my professionalism from work, and my experience through both university assocations, local CF branches, and the
exec to the table.
I am friendly and approachable (most of the time) and I believe that people are motivated through friendship and politeness.
If people feel part of a group and make good friends through CF events, they are much more likely to come and campaign.
As someone who is used to dealing with Judges, clients, clerks, and lawyers, I am able to engage with our MPs and engage
with our members, to bring them together. I can negotiate and persuade where necessary.
Finally I believe in responding to communications promptly.
What is my weakness?
Creating websites - can't you tell. Fortunately CF already has a website, and a team that help to deliver it. It's not
perfect, but it serves its purpose, and I'm sure you'll agree the features through the internet have increased dramatically
this year.
