Prime Minister, David Cameron Praises Young Activists

This evening Conservative Future - the youth movement of the Conservative Party - hosted a reception at the Westminster Park Plaza Hotel for Branch Chairman from across the United Kingdom. This was to thank them for their efforts.

The reception was honoured to have both the Prime Minister, David Cameron MP and Party Co-Chairman, Lord Feldman address the gathering of around seventy guests. Both men backed a modern, dynamic and forward-looking Conservative Future and praised recently elected National Chairman, Mr. Ben Howlett, and the National Executive, for the hard work they have done, describing it as

"A vital component in the Conservative Party."

Claire Hilley, Conservative Future Deputy Chairman for Membership, said:

"Over the last few months we have been collating activists membership data in a bid to create Conservative Future's first ever centralised membership database which will allow us to communicate with our members nationally. I'm pleased to announce that we have gathered over 5,000 new activists contact details which puts us in a position to push for more members than ever before.

Conservative Future has the largest youth membership of any political youth organisation in the United Kingdom, surpassing both Liberal Youth and Young Labour.

Giles McNeill, Chairman of Gainsborough CF, said:

"It was a really good evening, meeting up with colleagues from across Britain's is always very welcome; I was particularly please to see representation from Northern Ireland.

"Naturally having the opportunity to speak with the Prime Minister is always a massive honour and privilege, and of course we can look forward to seeing him in the county in the near future."

EXCLUSIVE: Lincolnshrire Conservative Future's New Team

Members of Lincolnshire Conservative Future met at the White Hart, Bailgate, Lincoln today for their Annual General Meeting and have elected a new team to head up the organisation. The result of the elections is: 

• Area Chairman: Mr. Chris Green (Louth CF) UNOPPOSED
• Deputy Chairman (Political): Mr. Aaron Spencer (Boston CF) ELECTED, Mr. Robin-Hunter Clarke (Skegness CF)
• Deputy Chairman (Membership & Finance): Mr. Thomas Ashton (Boston CF) UNOPPOSED
• Vice Chair (Social Action): Miss Poppy Hubbard (Lincoln CF) UNOPPOSED
• Vice Chair (Universities): Mr. Mark Dixon (Lincoln CF) UNOPPOSED
• Vice Chair (Events): Mr. James Hopkins (Louth CF) UNOPPOSED

Lincolnshire CF Area Team (from left to right): Thomas Ashton,
Chris Green, Holly Hubbard,  James Hopkins, Mark Dixon
and Aaron Spencer.

The young Conservatives also held a conference which had presentations including: the No2AV Campaign, Conservative Policy Forum, Campaign 2011 and guest speaker Karl McCartney MP for the Lincoln Constituency who talked about the 'national picture' and took questions.

Giles McNeill Resigns as Area Chairman of CF Lincolnshire

Giles McNeill has today resigned from his post as Area Chairman of Conservative Future in Lincolnshire in a letter to the East Midlands CF Regional Chairman, Thomas Turrell, copied to local activists he said:

"I would like to tender my resignation from the post of Area Chairman of Conservative Future in Lincolnshire. Owing to growing work commitments and the prospect of the considerable challenge presented by the move to 'all out' elections for West Lindsey District Council next year; I feel I am not best placed to continue in this role.

"I have enjoyed very much both of my Chairmanships of Lincolnshire and the successes that the Area has achieved in recent years to all parts of Conservative Future in the county.

"In the future I look forward to supporting you in your role as Regional Chairman & the executive team, my successor (pro tem), Mr. Robin Hunter-Clarke, and continuing as Branch Chairman for Gainsborough CF. The challenges we face in 2011 - the referendum on AV, local council elections and continuing to build a strong youth movement rooted in Conservative values across the East Midlands - will require hard work and dedication and the careful avoidance of side-issues which steer us all from our core objectives."

Howlett is New Conservative Future National Chairman

Cllr. Ben Howlett has been elected as the new national Chairman of Conservative Future, succeeding Mr. Michael Rock.


In ToryBear reports that just 173 people voted in the contest, out of an eligible 18,000. Which is a very poor turnout. Cllr. Howlett's first job is to reflect on that low level of identification with CF among younger party members.


Chairman: Cllr. Ben Howlett (Howlett 113, Cox 60)
Deputy Chairman (Membership): Miss Clare Hilley (Hilley 73, Cooper 47)
Deputy Chairman (Political): Miss Alexandra Swann (Swann 139, Khan 33)
Appointed Officer: Mr. James Deighton (Deighton 72, Sullivan 70)

Mr. Harry Cole (aka youth Tory Blogger 'ToryBear') summed up the result saying:

"Two women and a gay guy at the top. Without quotas. Without enforcement, without special patronising identity officers. Eat your heart out Labour.

"Though the massive drop in turn out needs investigation - someone has cocked up here."

Mr. Giles McNeill said:

"Had I known that my ballot would have counted as one of only 173 cast, I would probably have taken the whole thing more seriously."

Giles McNeill Appointed Area Chairman of Lincolnshire Conservative Future

It was today announced that Mr. Giles McNeill has been appointed as the new Area Chairman for Lincolnshire Conservative Future, the youth wing od the Conservative Party. Addressing activists from accross Lincolnshire Mr. McNeill said:

"I have been appointed, by the new Regional Chairman of East Midlands Conservative Future, Mr. Thomas Turrell, who has succeeded Mr. Hamish Stewart, as Chairman of Lincolnshire Conservative Future. Master Robin Hunter-Clarke has been appointed as a Deputy-Chairman.

"I would like to take a minute to thank my predecessor Mr. Reza Shah who became Chairman at a time of considerable stress for our organisation and has done a good job in holding matters together in the run up to the General Election. I would also like to pay tribute to Mr. Simon Cavalier-Jones who has now stepped down as a Deputy Chairman.

"It is my hope that in the coming year we will continue to pull together, building existing branches and creating new branches in our area and continuing to build ever closer ties with our colleagues in the senior party."

Mr. McNeill served in the post previously between June 2008 and July 2009.

Simon Cavalier-Jones Quits Election Race

Lincolnshire's Simon Cavalier-Jones who until tonight had been in the running for the National Chairmanship of Conservative Future - the youth wing of the Conservative Party - announced that he was quitting the race.

In a message to supporters Mr. Cavalier-Jones said:

"I am pulling out of the race to be the next CF Chair. Unfortunately this is not due to any exciting revelation's about my private life, but due to new work related commitment's.


"I would like to thank everybody who has worked on my campaign, you have done a brilliant job. Namely I would like to thank (In no particular order) Philip Smith, Hamish Stewart, Muheed, Sophie Shrubsole, Jack Whalley, Reza Shah, Giles McNeill, Ed Turner, Luke Springthorne, Ben Mallett, Nic Careem, James Deighton, Chris Southeran, Mr Trynka-Watson X2, Annesley Abercorn, Ben Harris Quinney and of course Mrs Hamster. These are just a few of the people who have helped out or had to listen to my moaning!

"I am supporting Craig Cox for Chair and I hope you will do the same."

With the closure of nomination tomorrow at noon it is now widely expected that the fight will be between Cllr. Ben Howlett and Mr. Craig Cox.

Cavalier-Jones Begins New Public Relations Blitz

Candidate for National Chairman of Conservative Future, Mr. Simon Cavalier-Jones, has the gravitas and business experience to lead, according to his campaign team. In a fresh PR blitz designed to highlight their candidate’s broadcast media coverage and ability to comment on serious issues, a video has been released showing Mr. Cavalier-Jones being interviewed on the BBC’s Newsnight Programme.

Commenting on the launch, he said,

"It's vital that we remember Labour’s Legacy, one of Record debt, Record numbers of people out of work and the great waste of Ken Clarke's golden Legacy. We as a generation face the greatest consequences of Labours failed educational reforms, the worst prospect's of employment since the 1960's and greatest number of barriers to Social Mobility that any generation has ever faced.

"The reason for this is not bad Government alone, but the flawed Ideology of the Labour Party, based around big Government, Big Waste and a belief that they can influence our everyday lives in the way no Government in history has been able to do. Labour are the party of denial, they can not point to one single achievement that did not incur a great cost. They are also our Main opposition, we have 5 year's to win the argument's that matter, to win the ideological battle and sweep to an overall majority at the next election.

"As CF we can be the agent for change, but we must focus on the issues that matter and not fighting pointless battles, I for one am happy to carry on leading the Fight against Labour."

GE2010: Oh Dear! Past and Future Cross Paths in Lincoln

Yesterday activists from the Conservative Party's youth movement - Conservative Future - met at the White Hart Hotel in the Bailgate, Lincoln.

Right: Young Conservatives enjoy lunch at the Grille resturant in the White Hart Hotel, Lincoln.

Chairmen from the various branches that constitute Lincolnshire Conservative Future met with the Area Officer team: Area Chairman Mr. Reza Shah, Area Vice-Chairman Mr. Simon Cavalier-Jones, who is also Conservative Future - East Midlands Deputy Regional Chairman and Area Vice Chairman Mr. Giles McNeill and disscussed successes in recent months and how moving forward, towards a general election, how Lincolnshire Conservative Future can best support Conservative candidates.

Mr. David Cameron MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, sent a personal note of support. Mr. Hamish Stewart, Regional Chairman of Conservative Future - East Midlands was in attendance. Cllr. Mrs. Rachel Hubbard, Conservative (Lincoln Bracebridge Division), Deputy Chairman (Political) of the Lincolnshire County Committee also attended.

Regional Campaign Director, Mr. David Surtees, gave a positive vision of how in the next thirteen weeks Conservative Future activists had their unique role to play.

Mr. Karl McCartney, Conservative, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Lincoln made a brief stop around lunchtime at the meeting; between a busy day of canvassing in the morning and leafleting in the afternoon. His incumbent opponent must be in a more relaxed mood about her prospects as Ms Gillian Merron MP, Labour (Lincoln) was in the bar at the White Hart from around three o'clock for a good hour that afternoon; if her opponent is working so hard, has she simply given up?

Conservative Future is the movement for under 30s, including all members of the Conservative Party of this age. Conservative Future is the largest youth political organisation in the UK.

The organisation is all about involving young people in politics and addressing the issues that matter to them.

With over 15,000 members across the country, Conservative Future runs a range of events and activities, from policy discussions to social gatherings. Many of these are organised by individual branches, which are based in cities, constituencies and on campuses. Members of Conservative Future also have the opportunity to get involved in campaign activity – supporting and standing as Conservative candidates in elections at all levels, from student politics to Westminster.

Reza Shah Elected Lincolnshire CF Chairman

Mr. Reza Shah was last night elected Chairman of Conservative Future in Lincolnshire following the dismissal of previous incumbent Mr. Fraiser McFarlane.

Mr. Shah secured his victory with twice as many votes as the other candidate.

Lincolnshire Conservative Future Chairman Removed From Office

Mr. Simon Cavalier-Jones, a Deputy Regional Chairman of Conservative Future, East Midlands wrote to local party activists today saying:

"Following recent incidents, on Wednesday the 18th of November Mr. Fraser McFarland was removed from the position of Chairman for Conservative Future, Lincolnshire. We had hoped to make a formal announcement shortly, although Mr. McFarland continues to present himself in post, despite knowing this is not the case."

From the information available it appears that this decision was made by Regional Chairman for Conservative Future, East Midlands, Mr. Hamish Stewart and has been approved by Mr. Michael Rock National Chairman of Conservative Future.


Above: Mr. Fraser McFarland

Mr. Cavalier-Jones commented further:

"The decision to remove Mr. McFarland from post is not one that was taken lightly, due consideration has been given to a wide range of factors and this has been discussed at the highest levels within CF. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the background to this decision in a public message. On behalf of East Midlands CF, I would like to thank Mr. McFarland for his efforts and wish him all the best with his Political Activities."

At the Party Conference, in October, senior members of the party, including members of the East Midlands European team, County Officials and Association Officers expressed their concerns over Mr. McFarland's suitability for the role.

Demand a General Election from the Prime Minister

Conservative Future is today launching a campaign to put pressure on the Prime Minister to call a General Election.

Members and supporters will be writing to Downing Street to call for an election, so that the voters can choose who they want to lead them out of this recession. We are starting this campaign as it is our members’ generation that is going to be saddled with the debt of this Government.

The Government got us into this debt and we don’t believe it will be able to get us out of it.

The campaign has a standard letter (download) that members and supporters can download, sign, print and then send to Downing Street.

Santa Claus puts Gordon Brown on the 'Naughty List'

Santa Claus has this year placed Gordon Brown on the naughty list, and thus the Prime Minister will not be receiving any presents.
Conservative Future activists obtained a leaked document showing that the Prime Minister has been moved to the naughty list in reaction to the large debt he is placing on future generations.

The leaked document, from Lapland's Department of Poetic Justice, shows that other prominent politicians have also been added to the naughty list:

Alistair Darling – for his part in saddling the future generation with huge debt and tax increases.

Michael Martin - for not teaching the Sergeant at Arms that the Police need a warrant before searching a premises/Parliamentary office.

Jacqui Smith - for her bullying students to get an ID card in order to obtain student loans.

Commenting Lincolnshire Conservative Future Area Chairman, Giles McNeill, said:

"OK, so this story is a bit of fun, but it has a serious message at its centre: the politicians who are on this list have performed a grave disservice to young people of both Lincolnshire and this country.

"The people on this list have eroded democracy, scored cheap political points, recklessly borrowed for electoral gain and, just for good measure, are leaving the next generation with a huge bill to pick up - all in a vain attempt to remedy the follies of the last eleven years."