Introduction:
I have been a member of the Party since 2004 and the first election I campaigned in was the 2005 General Election. Since then I have campaigned in every local and national election and also helped in many by-elections, including Norwich North.
In 2007 I stood as a local councillor for Basildon District Council in a Labour safe seat. Unfortunately I lost this by 68 votes; however I fought the same seat the following year and won by 82 votes, becoming the youngest councillor on Basildon District Council. As a councillor I am currently Deputy Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities and I also serve on the Licensing Committee.
My current job is working for Stephen Metcalfe MP, based between Parliament and the constituency office.
In the 2010 General Election, I was a key activist in the target constituencies of South Basildon and East Thurrock (Stephen Metcalfe) and Thurrock (Jackie Doyle-Price). As well as campaigning on the doorstep, I helped run the campaign centre for both seats.
Policy:
Encouraging CF members to stand in elections. One of the problems facing conservative future members who wish to stand for election is that they lack the experience to get selected. As DC Political I will seek to address this by providing help for CF members who wish to put themselves forward. One idea is to prepare an information pack on the selection process. The pack will provide such things as how to write a political CV, things to research before a selection panel and likely questions to come up in a selection panel. I would also like to set up practise selection panels where CF members can have a practise interview by experienced members.
Encouraging MPs to take CF members on constituency visits to schools and colleges. It may not be appropriate for MPs to approach students who appear interested in getting involved, however a CF member can look out for any potential members and have a chat to see if they are interested. Speaking from experience, it is easier for a CF member to recruit another CF member as there is not that age gap.
I would like to see Conservative Future getting involved in national campaigns. I see a real opportunity for Conservative Future to really show what they are made of in the up and coming AV referendum. I belive Conservative Future should play a major role in the “no” campaign at both national and local levels.