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."

Lincolnshire CF Endorse Simon Cavalier-Jones

Last night the Officers of Conservative Future in Lincolnshire endorsed local candidate, Mr. Simon Cavalier-Jones, who is in the running for the National Chairmanship of the Conservative Party's youth organisation.

Mr. Cavalier-Jones has said:

"Following many years as an ordinary member of Conservative Future, I am standing for National Chairman to try and create an organisation we can be proud of. I want to see CF nurture the brightest and best talent into the highest levels of the Conservative Party.


"I want to see CF become an organisation that is taken seriously and that we are all proud of.

"As Chairman I will tirelessly champion the views of the membership, and stand up on issues that matter to you."

Lincolnshire CF is relatively small compared with other areas, and Mr. Cavalier Jones was always likely to secure the endorsement of his home patch, nevertheless Mr. Cavalier-Jones will no doubt be happy to have received such support.

CF in Lincolnshire Deputy Chairman, Giles McNeill, said:

"Tonight we have met the two candidates, who have declared and remain in the race. Both Ben and Simon have their good points and are passionate about making CF better in the future.

"We believe that Simon has the experience, key skills, and intellect to take Conservative Future forward, building an organisation which is national in scope and outlook and less focussed on London."

Sullivan Drops Out of Leadership Race

Mr. Patrick Sullivan, leadership contender for National Chairman of Conservative Future is to quit the race for the top job to spend more time on Social Action projects, London Spin can reveals. Mr. Sullivan is believed to be working closely with Cllr. Robert-John Tasker, Conservative (Coombe Vale Ward - The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council), to create a special selection of ‘Help for Heroes’ fundraising hustings across the country to raise money for wounded troops and their families.

Commenting on the news, fellow contender Mr. Simon Cavalier-Jones, East Midlands CF Deputy Chairman, told this London Spin,

"Patrick has been a loyal servant to Conservative Future for many years, it is a measure of the man that he has chosen to focus his efforts on such a noble cause. His plans to support Help for Heroes is fantastic and can only benefit all concerned. I hope all CF members will support his drive to raise money for a group of men and women who do a great service for all of us."

All funds raised from the hustings events will go directly to the Help for Heroes charity. It is understood that Sullivan will call on all candidates to do more to help CF Social Action projects.

Young Lincolnshire Tory Set Sights on National Prize

Mr. Simon Cavalier-Jones, Deputy Chairman of Conservative Future Lincolnshire was speaking at an important Conservative Future - the youth movement of the Conservative Party - Area Meeting last night in Leeds. Mr. Cavalier-Jones who is also a Deputy Regional Chairman for the organisation declared his intention to run for the National Chairmanship of Conservative Future (CF). He gave a speech setting out his plans for CF and then asking for the endorsement Yorkshire CF. In terms of regions Yorkshire, like Lincolnshire, is one the biggest, crucially it is also one of the most active. Any candidate with their support has to be a runner in this election.


Politial blogger Tory Bear reported that:

"East Midlands CF have already endorsed his candidacy, so we're looking at the prospect of a Northern power base Not much is known about Cavalier-Jones, except that he is 25 and works in consultancy. He worked across the East Midlands on the target seat campaign during the elections. He is certainly looking like the outside candidate and is said to have a fair bit of cash behind his bid."

However in another leadership race Labour Leadership contender David Miliband MP was left red-faced on Thursday night after being snapped meeting a contender running to be National Chair of the Tory Youth movement. The front-runner for the Labour Party's Leadership mistook Mr. Cavalier-Jones as a Labour Party chief in an embarrassing mix-up, London Spin exclusively revealed.


Mr. Cavalier-Jones is reported to have said:

"Mr. Milliband was not best pleased when I told him I was standing for Conservative Future chair and then ran away, I thanked him for attending my Campaign launch but make it clear his attendance was not necessary."

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.

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.