Sullivan's Diary - Conservative Party Activist

State of CF: The East Midlands

2011-06-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

Given that my involvement in CF started in the East Midlands, I wanted to start my series on the State of CF there. It is also one of two regions I was given to oversee when I was elected to the National Executive in 2008, before the appointment of Regional Chairmen at the start of 2009.The other region I oversaw was Yorkshire and the Humber.

In order to find out how CF in the East Midlands was progressing I thought it best to ask the Regional Chairman himself. Thomas Turrell was elected last September, aged only 18, making him one of the youngest Regional Chairmen in the country. This raised a few eyebrows at the time, with some wondering whether he would be able to handle such a role at such an early point in his CF career. These fears were quickly and happily dismissed as Turrell swiftly asserted his own style onto the East Midlands.

Indeed in the many conversations that I had with prominent party activists in the aftermath of the last CF election, Turrell's name came up as “one to watch” and I kept hearing about his “promising start” as Regional Chairman.

The question that I now had to ask him was whether that promising start had delivered results and I was astonished with the answers that I got. Having lived in the East Midlands for four years, I knew how difficult Thomas' job was and would have been impressed with only some forward momentum. What we have now is a Region transformed.

Turrell's record for the past nine months is as follows:

Membership: Has trebled

Branch Development: 16 new branches have been set up, with the promise of more to come

Accountability: Thomas has pioneered the idea of a “Regional Congress”, a quarterly question time style session in which Area Executives can grill the Regional Executive on how it is working for them

Campaigning: Formed a stronger campaign machine empowering Area Chairman whilst providing regional support. Regional Campaign Days are held at least once a month but it is on a branch level where the campaigning efforts are really impressive. Most individual branches held additional weekly campaign days during the local elections.

Student Life: East Midlands CF is on target to have a CF branch in every university in the region

Young Professionals: has formed a partnership with CF North to provide high quality working life events outside of London

Whilst, I found all this impressive the thing that I found the most impressive was how willing Thomas was to point out that this was all made possible by the hard work of his Regional Committee as well as activists on a branch and area level. He had special praise for his predecessor Hamish Stewart who he says “couldn't have been better in the handover” and “laid the groundwork, for the recent success this team had enjoyed.”

With all that said I left my lunch with Thomas convinced that the State of CF in the East Midlands was the strongest it has been in years and that an even brighter future awaited it.

Back to Blogging

2011-06-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

It’s been a while since I updated my blog and with the Boris campaign already well under way, I thought it was time to start keeping fellow activists updated about what I’m up to.

Last night I went to London Conservative Future’s excellent fundraiser with Mr Johnson himself, we had a good chat, and I wished him luck. It was also great to catch up with activists old and new and see so many people keen to help in the campaign.

As the weeks go by I’m looking forward to helping out by canvassing and campaigning every step of the way.

Let’s go for it.

Best wishes

Patrick

Nick Vaughan Backs My Campaign

2010-09-13T06:06:00.000-07:00

Ex-Conservative Future Chairman Nick Vaughan has announced he is supporting my campaign for Appointed Officer. I have known Nick for many years and am delighted he is supporting my campaign to improve Conservative Future.

My Campaign For Appointed Officer

2010-09-12T14:57:00.000-07:00

Below is my new campaign video for the role of Appointed Officer, I hope I can count on your support.

My Plan for a Stronger CF

2010-09-10T07:24:00.000-07:00

Today I outlined my plans for Conservative Future in an interview with London Spin. This election is incredibly important to the future of our organisation and we need to have the right team in place to deliver an CF of which we can be truly proud.

Click here to read the full interview.

I am standing for Appointed Officer

2010-09-07T08:47:00.001-07:00

I've decided to stand for CF's Appointed Officer. Check back for regular updates.

Labour's Smears - interview

2010-02-16T09:20:00.000-08:00

The news that a senior Labour MP called people considering voting for the Conservatives “Scum-sucking pigs” reveals much about Labour’s election strategy as we near the general election. Already we have seen numerous websites and spoof versions of Conservative posters in a desperate attempt to ridicule a modern party with a clear agenda for change. If Gordon Brown thinks voters will flock to Labour because of their skills as graffiti artists or smear mongers, then he’s in for a big suprise.

I've just written a new article for London Spin Online here.

Driving Social Action in 2010

2010-01-27T07:59:00.000-08:00

Social Action is about people across the country doing their bit to help their local communities and building a better society for everyone. As Conservatives, Social Action is the very lifeblood of everything we believe in and stand for. That’s why I’m delighted to be leading Conservative Future’s National Social Action Programme for 2010, to help activists up and down the country engage in local projects and help make a difference in their areas.

In my previous role as National Campaigns Director, I met hundreds of Conservative Future activists who voluntarily gave up hours of their time not just on election campaigns, but on fundraising, community schemes and school projects that make a real impact on the day-to-day lives of communities. This experience was not only inspiring, it proved to me that Conservative Future activists are always ready to help make life better for those around them and deliver real change for the future.

I’m also delighted to announce the appointment of Tarasyn Whitehead-Patey as joint CF Social Action Coordinator, to help Conservative Future better engage with out local action teams on the ground across the UK. We are currently drawing up a detailed plan for the year ahead and will be liaising with our Regional Chairman to ensure all our efforts have maximum impact and success. It’s going to be an incredible journey, and I know that Conservative Future will once again deliver a first class programme of Social Action projects of which we can be truly proud.

Back from London CF Launch Party

2010-01-20T03:03:00.000-08:00

The campaign his officially launched, so I'm hitting the trail in Watford all weekend!

Busy week last week

2010-01-11T02:18:00.000-08:00

Wow, it went like lightning, but I managed to cram two GENEVA sessions, three meetings and one major CF social all into one week. It was inspiring to see so many young activists helping our cause and dedicating themselves to winning new pledges for our candidates. It was also great to see so many new faces and meet so many new people on the campaign trail.

I’ll be updating you all on my election strategy for London within the next few days.

Best Regards

Patrick

My New year Message on The Blue Blog

2010-01-07T04:39:00.001-08:00

In case you missed my New Year campaign message on The Blue Blog then you can see the full piece here .

London Spin Online Returns

2009-12-27T15:15:00.000-08:00

It has been a long time since any of us had the pleasure of reading London Spin, as the site was pulled from the internet back in March. I have to say it always provided me and others with a chuckle and always managed to scoop the best stories first, no matter how explosive.

As it stands, London Spin appears to be back up and running for the long term and I’m pretty sure it won’t be long before the more exciting stories start hitting the wire. Take a look here.

We all need to go the extra mile for this election

2009-12-21T05:49:00.000-08:00

With a general election fast approaching, proving to the public that the Conservative Party is ready to lead must be a top priority for all of us. Against the backdrop of voter apathy and a tired and crumbling Labour Government, voters need to see that we are working hard to deliver the message of change. No Government will ever win an election on a complacent campaign with average effort.

Make no mistake – this battle is going to be tough, but I know that our activists are ready for the challenge ahead. As a member of the National Executive Committee for Conservative Future, I have the privilege of working with seasoned campaigners across the country and I can confirm that their commitment and dedication is second to none.

We are lucky in that our Party Chairman puts good, solid campaigning at the very heart of his strategy, and this sets a good example for all of use. Our by-election and mayoral victories over the last few years were not achieved through Conservative members sitting back and hoping for the polls to swing. We prevailed in these challenges because our party proved that it was hungry to bring change and ready to help pull Britain out from Labour’s catastrophic failures.

Our youth movement has already managed numerous regional campaign days of the last year, helping top candidates in crucial seats to get the message out. Recently, our team has lead weekly telephone canvassing sessions at CCHQ’s GenEVA centre, strengthening campaigns across the country and adding real value to the Conservative Party’s campaign machine.

Indeed, Conservative Future is an addictive organisation, and one, which many activists regularly give up their evenings and weekends for on a completely voluntary basis. These examples prove that our members always put the needs of their party first and with this winning formula I know that we can all pull together and make a huge impact on the campaign trail.

The election countdown has already begun and Gordon Brown and his underlings are already plotting for numerous ways to bring us down. So lets send this crumbling Labour Government a message through our campaign activities and show the party and our country that Conservative activists take nothing for granted and are ready for the hard work ahead to bring real change for the future.

A failed and hypercritical strategy

2009-12-04T09:27:00.000-08:00

Gordon Brown’s poorly judged personal attack on David Cameron over where he attended school seems to have backfired after it was revealed a great many people in his own cabinet attended fee paying schools.

Eric Pickles quite correctly pointed out on this morning’s today programme that people should be judged on what they are offering rather than where they’re from.

London CF in Lewisham

2009-10-29T04:04:00.000-07:00

Great to see the London Conservative Future campaign team out and about in Lewisham.

Click here

Election Night

2009-10-28T08:50:00.000-07:00

Campaign the Pickles Way

2009-10-20T09:11:00.001-07:00

The London Conservative Future team were last night treated to a special guest speak – Eric Pickles, Chairman of the Party. Everyone knows just how much hard work Eric has put in to energise the Conservative Party’s campaign machine, and he’s also been a strong supporter of youth activism.

Over the next few months, our team will be drastically increasingly our on-the-ground campaign days and upping our time spent in the GenEVA canvassing studio. With this in mind, London Conservative Future activists know that they form a hardworking and valuable part of the Conservative campaign.

Monday night's canvassing session

2009-10-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

It was a good one - with a great turnout.

Thanks to all that helped out for this vital campaign, we were also lucky enough to see DC!

London CF has the story here

Eric Pickles to meet London Conservative Future

2009-10-14T02:13:00.000-07:00

Dear readers, I have some exciting news for you – Eric Pickles, party chairman, will be meeting London Conservative Future activists for drinks at CCHQ on October 19 in recognition for all our hard work over on crucial campaigns.

Everyone knows Eric is a hardworking champion of good quality campaigning and I hope you can join me for this very special occasion.

Click here to register FREE

Thank You Manchester

2009-10-11T03:51:00.000-07:00

The last week has been one of the most important in the history of the Conservative Party. With a general election imminent, we needed a conference that could produce fresh ideas for the battle ahead, and what better location than Manchester.

From the state of the art GMEX conference centre to the historic buildings, delegates were impressed by the fresh and energetic backdrop for this groundbreaking conference.

As David Cameron laid out his vision for a modern, compassionate Conservative government, many people are looking to help us bring real change to Britain. There is still much hard work to be done as we prove to the British people that we are ready to lead, but accelerating our campaign in a vibrant and energetic city like Manchester has further encouraged our activists to work hard for change.

New article on KRO

2009-09-29T09:16:00.001-07:00

I've written a new article for the excellent news site, Keep Right Online

Click here

Our largest campaign day of the year

2009-09-28T05:17:00.000-07:00

Click here

Let the Student Life Tour Begin!

2009-09-25T02:26:00.000-07:00

CF Beefs Up Its National Committee

2009-09-22T10:13:00.001-07:00

Conservative Future has announced the election of three new members of the national executive committee.

Michelle Donelan – Press & Media Development

Jennifer Taylor – Research

Raheem Kassam – Conservative Future TV

May I be the first to congratulate the candidates on their success and look forward to working with them to bring change for the future.

London CF: Party For Change

2009-09-16T04:41:00.000-07:00

Looks like London CF has scooped at first look at this year's Freshers' Packs.

Click here

We’re all working hard for change

2009-09-11T09:03:00.000-07:00

Over the last few weeks, my colleagues in Conservative Future have organised and coordinated numerous campaign days and key party events. Once again, Conservative Future activists have proved that they are a serious, organised and professional force for change. I believe that Conservative Future activists are a huge asset to the party and the wider campaign force, which is working together to show voters that the Conservative party has fresh ideas, a strong work-ethic and a serious plan for change in our country.

As the Student Life tour nears kick-off, I look forward to meeting our huge activist base across campuses in the UK and will do everything I can to support your efforts.

When I first started Sullivan’s Diary, I never expected it to be such get this big. The site is now clocking up over 120 unique hits a day and I’m delighted so many activists have been in touch to discuss campaign planning and how London Conservative Future can help their branches across the capital.

Lets work together to send a message to Gordon Brown and this rotten Labour Government that the Conservative Party will work hard and listen to voter concerns and is offering voters a chance for change they can believe in.

London CF Calls contacts Hereford through GenEVA

2009-09-11T05:33:00.000-07:00

On Monday evening over 20 of our members from London Conservative Future attended a telephone canvassing session at CCHQ with Jesse Norman, PPC for Hereford. The team spoke to hundreds of local residents about concerns, issues and questions they have about the local area, securing a large amount of new Conservative pledges.

After an initial introduction and brief about the campaign and constituency, the team hit the phones talking to local residents. The turnout was so large that several activists had to wait their turn to make use of CCHQ’s state of the art GenEVA telephone canvassing studio.

It was absolutely fantastic to see so many committed activists helping a key PPC in a top target seat using GenEVA.

More news on the event here.

Students 4 Change

2009-09-10T00:57:00.000-07:00

The Student Life Tours are back – and this term they’re going to even more of our branches!

These events start again in October and will be visiTting branches in Manchester, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Norwich, Leeds, Durham, London, Nottingham and Cambridge.

The purpose of these events is to introduce students to the organisations and ideas that make up the wider conservative movement. This will illustrate that CF is indeed a political youth organisation which is willing to deal with big ideas and cares deeply about the message of freedom.

All the events will have speakers from the Taxpayers’ Alliance, NO2ID and the Freedom Association, amongst others.

These tours give us the opportunity to engage Students with the wider conservative movement and show them that all the exciting thinking is coming from the centre-right. Furthermore, I expect the message of freedom which is the common amongst all our panellists will resonate with our audiences.

Click here for tour dates

London CF Ladies

2009-09-08T14:30:00.001-07:00

Looks like the media training session went well!

Click here.

We Need a Campus 4 Change

2009-09-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

As part of the lead up to my Student Life Tour across many UK Universities, I have written another article for leading political publication Keep Right Online.

University season is just around the corner and the majority of young people are already disillusioned and disappointed with Gordon Brown and his crumbling Labour Party. Gordon Brown’s catastrophic debts and ultra high taxes have left young people and their supportive families out of pocket and out of options when it comes to get a decent education.

Click here to read the full article

GenEVA 4 Herefordshire

2009-09-01T03:54:00.000-07:00

After a very successful Geneva campaign evening in August for Burton and Uttoxeter, the next will be for Jesse Norman, who is fighting the key target seat of Hereford and South Herefordshire.

Because Jesse is fighting a notional majority of just 1,297, this is a great opportunity to help take back from the Lib Dems a seat they have held since 1997. We will be telephone canvassing for two hours from GenEVA, within Conservative Central Headquarters.

Pizza, snacks and wine will be provided as we campaign, and training will be offered for those who haven't used the (very easy to learn) Geneva system in the past.

We will be meeting at 6.15pm for 6.30pm in the lobby of CCHQ. If you would like to come but can't be there until later, please let me know.

The nearest tube stations are Westminster and Pimlico.

Click here for the Facebook event!

Undergraduates 4 Change - The Blue Blog

2009-08-30T05:11:00.000-07:00

I've just written a detailed article on The Blue Blog setting out my vision for the most spectacular Freshers recruitment drive ever.

Click here for the full article.

It’s oh so quiet…

2009-08-27T09:09:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of blogging – I’ve been enjoying the Spanish sunshine and summer beaches for the last week.

I’ve got two new campaign days this month and will be updating with some articles and news shortly.

Tell us what you think, Gordon

2009-08-24T01:13:00.001-07:00

Our ‘Prime Minister’ Gordon Brown has once again managed to demonstrate that he has no backbone. The sight of a terrorist responsible for the murders of hundreds of innocent people being given a hero’s welcome home does beg the question – how did this happen.

Quick on the case to defend the Government from allegations of ‘a deal’ was spin master general Peter Mandelson who said he found the allegation untrue and offensive. Clearly there are questions here that need answers and we will only get to the bottom of this when Gordon Brown

Keep Right Online by-line

2009-08-18T02:55:00.001-07:00

Keep Right Online, the increasingly impressive source for Conservative news and opinion has just published my latest opinion article on the challenges facing our troops.

Please take a look, here.

I’m Damn Proud of our NHS

2009-08-14T01:57:00.001-07:00

Our National Health Service has delivered quality healthcare to millions of families based on need rather than ability to pay. Our Doctors and Nurses work flat out to ensure that this service performs to best of its ability for every man woman and child in the country. This is why our service should be protected at all costs.

If we ditched our National Health Service then Britain would be a very, very different place to live.

Need an ambulance? Get ready for the bill.

Need an emergency operation? Better take out a loan.

Some would argue that a wholly privatised system would deliver a first class health service, but all too often they forget just how many families would not be able to afford it. So what do they do if they don’t have the money?

That’s why I’m standing up for our National Health Service.

Geneva canvassing - help turn Burton & Uttoxeter blue

2009-08-13T02:19:00.000-07:00

A great opportunity has come up for activists to help Andrew Griffiths and his team turn the historic brewing towns of Burton & Uttoxeter blue.

The event will take place at CCHQ on Monday, August 17, 2009, 6:30pm - 8:30pm.

There will also be free pizza and drinks for your troubles, please click here for the Facebook page.

Mandy goes negative

2009-08-12T03:03:00.000-07:00

It looks like Lord Mandelson, AKA The Prince of Darkness is back to what he does best – attacking. It’s a classic hallmark of a Government in meltdown with its back to wall, desperate not to sink. Nasty as these attacks can be, they do at least remind the public of just how desperate this Labour is.

Women 2 Win

2009-08-10T08:17:00.000-07:00

I’m delighted to announce that London Conservative Future is holding a special public speaking workshop for women on September 5. This is a fantastic opportunity for our talented female activists to further enhance their public speaking skills and raise their profiles on the national scene.

London CF is privileged to have a committee largely made up of some of the party’s brightest female stars. This looks to be a great event and I hope as many of our activists can make it as possible.

SHAME on Gordon Brown

2009-08-07T03:09:00.001-07:00

The fact that Gordon Brown is suppressing publication of a Ministry of Defence procurement report showing billions of pounds being wasted demonstrates how weak and timid this Government has become.

It’s bad enough that Labour grossly underfunds our armed forces, but now it won’t even let them know that it’s wasted billions of pounds on a botched procurement programme.

Harriet Harman is in the wrong party

2009-08-06T05:01:00.001-07:00

London CF is today reporting that Harriet Harman could be using her time in Downing Street to position herself as the heir to Brown.

Senior women ministers have long complained of Gordon Brown’s attitudes and leadership style.

Check out London CF's report.

We NEED a Minister for Afghanistan

2009-08-05T01:43:00.001-07:00

The Labour Government has treated our armed forces appallingly for far too long. After General Sir Richard Dannatt, the retiring Chief of the General Staff, last week said that Whitehall was not properly focused on supporting the British mission in Afghanistan, it became clear that something needed to be done, and fast.

David Cameron’s proposal for a Minister for Afghanistan would prove to our armed forces that Conservative Government takes their role seriously and is behind them 100%. After all, these are the men and women that put their lives on the line for our freedom. For too long Gordon Brown has wasted money on non-jobs and red-tape in Whitehall when he could have been investing in protecting our heros.

Labour will not stick up for our armed forces and it’s time for this to change.

Brewing a campaign success in Burton & Uttoxeter

2009-08-03T06:49:00.001-07:00

I spent the weekend with my London Conservative Future colleagues for a special ‘on tour’ campaign weekend in the historic brewing towns of Burton & Uttoxeter. Working together over two days of hard campaigning we managed to deliver over 7,000 pieces of literature for Andrew Griffiths PPC.

This campaign day was another reminder of exactly what Conservative Future activists can achieve in a key target seat when we work together. With a general election just around the corner (whether Gordon Brown likes it or not) we need the entire CF network to pull together and show the party and the wider country that we are a force to be reckoned with.

Labour’s poverty is a moral disgrace

2009-07-30T02:29:00.000-07:00

Charlie Elphicke’s excellent report into Labour’s shocking record on child poverty makes disturbing reading. The gap between the very rich and the very poor has got wider, a record that Gordon Brown and his crumbling Government should be utterly ashamed of.

Poor households with low earnings are now worse off than ever before because of Labour’s cruel tax grabs. There are an extra 400,000 children living in poverty than four years ago.

This is reason alone to kick Labour out of Downing Street.

The election is NOT in the bag

2009-07-29T01:52:00.001-07:00

David Cameron is quite right to remind everyone that an election victory is far from certain. Despite a ComRes poll giving us an 18% lead this morning, the battle is far from over. We still have much work to do to prove to voters that we are ready to form a new Government. Complacency is our greatest enemy and never before has it been so important that we get out and hit the streets. Voters want to see a party working hard in their local area to deliver real change, and Conservative Future can play a significant role in this.

Conservatives lead by 15%

2009-07-27T09:26:00.000-07:00

The latest YouGov poll puts the Conservatives 15% ahead with the Lib Dems sliding slowly up to the 20% mark.

Remembering the Chloe Smith campaign

2009-07-27T01:24:00.000-07:00

It’s been a crazy few weeks plodding the streets and knocking the doors of Norwich North. Keep Right Online have produced this rather good summary of the campaign from start to finish, click here.

The emergency budget is a real emergency

2009-07-27T01:14:00.001-07:00

The announcement by Philip Hammond, shadow Treasury secretary, to call an emergency budget within days of the Conservatives getting into office is a wise move indeed. With crippling public & personal debt, setting out a clear and concise plan for efficient public spending to help Britain balance the books is essential. Doubtless, an incoming Conservative administration will have to make some tough and unpopular decisions, but being straight with people and telling the truth about just how bad the public finances are is vital.

As the credit crunch bites hard on the pockets of hardworking families, few will fall for Gordon Brown’s broken promises and empty words as he desperately tries to mask his catastrophic failure. The burden of public debt, which currently stands at around £20,000 per head, will plague our country for a generation. If we want to be a Government of transparency and honesty then we must look the public in the eye and tell it like it is.

Chloe Smith wins Norwich North By-election with 7,348 majority

2009-07-24T04:48:00.000-07:00

Keep Right Online has announced that Chloe Smith has won the Norwich North by-election.

Norwich North’s CF Team

2009-07-24T01:38:00.000-07:00

Over the last new weeks I’ve been working with national campaign co-ordinator for the by-election Paul Wells (left) to help get young activists into action in Norwich. It’s been a tough and challenging job for Paul, with hundreds of people to organise and multiple teams to manage – but he’s done a sterling job and deserves full credit for the CF effort on the ground.

As we wait with eager anticipation for the final votes to be counted, we can rest assured we did our very best as an organisation.

GUEST POST: Conservative Future’s By-election

2009-07-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

By Ben Wilson

As the polls draw to a close, and the count begins, Conservative Future activists across the UK can take pride in the huge contribution they have made to the Norwich North election. Whatever the result, our activists have flooded the area by coach & train, day and night and that’s something we can truly by proud of.

Chloe is a Norfolk girl through and through – she grew up in Norfolk and is a governor of her old comprehensive school in Swaffham and is a candidate of which we can all be very proud.

I cannot emphasise how important activism on the ground is to our organisation and I know that we have shown the party that we are a force to be reckoned with.

Live update from Norwich North

2009-07-23T02:07:00.000-07:00

I’m out campaigning today in Norwich North with several other Conservative Future activists hoping to get Chloe Smith elected. I’ve just finished having breakfast at a local cafe with Paul Wells, Campaign Director for CF in the Norwich by-election to set us up for what is sure to be a very, very busy final few hours of campaigning!

The turnout from across the country has been absolutely fantastic, with hundreds of Conservative Future activists hitting the streets and knocking on doors. Blogging today will be light, as I’m off to meet the team to help coordinate the Conservative Future knocking-up programme and making sure we get out as many votes as possible.

I’ll update you on what’s happening over here once the polls have closed!

Patrick

Welcome

2009-07-23T01:34:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Sullivan's Diary, a new political blog covering Conservative activism, news and policy.