Rock4CF Campaign Launch

I have now launched my 'Manifesto of Principles' and my official campaign to be the next National Chairman of Conservative Future. The campaign site is Rock4CF.com, where you can browse the manifesto or download the PDF version.

I make no apologies that my Manifesto of Principles is an expansive document. In it I share my views on Conservative Future, where I feel the organisation is now and where it should be going. On the discussion boards in my Facebook group you can comment, and ask questions, about my Manifesto of Principles.

I hope that this document brings a different perspective to this election: I believe an open, fair and lengthy debate will strengthen CF and put our organisation in good stead for the future. I hope it provides some food for thought. My business plan, which will be published in January, will set out, in detail, exactly how and when I expect to implement these solutions.

I genuinely want people to enjoy their membership of CF and, in particular, this election campaign. I want people to join CF because they want to spend time with like-minded people, at enjoyable events and I want everyone to associate us with the positive, progressive aspects of politics. Let's not add to the disillusion that is becoming increasingly prevalent in society: let's focus on getting young people engaged at all stages of the political process!

We need to change CF. Not just the brand but the size, the range of personalities, views and aspirations. We used to be a significant political force; I believe we can be again. The Conservative Party is on the up, this Labour Government is ripe for a beating. I'm frustrated that we are not further ahead in the polls, that we don't have more members and we are not reaching out to a much wider audience. CF can help change the political landscape.

I am running for National Chair of Conservative Future because I believe the Conservative Party can form the next Government and I know CF can play an influential role in the next General Election. I believe the Conservative Party is the only party that can address the challenges our country face and I know CF can help in that process. Finally, I believe I am the best candidate to lead CF through the necessary changes and I know we can make CF bigger, bolder and better.

Michael David Rock
Candidate for CF National Chairman

rock4cf.com
michael@rock4cf.com

Hereford Campaigning

I went over to Hereford for the day to do some canvassing for Jesse Norman, who is the constituency's PPC. We were also gathering signatures for a petition to keep local Post Offices open, which was a popular cause and something that resonates well on the door step (even if you no idea where the nearest Post Office is!)

I missed out on the curry and drinks at night but have been assured that it was a splendid evening!

Campaigning with Mary Macleod

Mary Macleod, PPC for Brentford and Isleworth held a campaigning day across her constituency on Saturday. We were blessed with clear skies until around half four and a fine spread of food!

The group of local MP's PPC's ,including Justine Greening, are all agreed on a strategy to oppose the expansion of Heathrow. In Mary's words:

"My personal view is very simple. I am a business woman so I am certainly not against business growth and expansion. The problem here, is that future expansion at Heathrow Airport will affect the lives of thousands of residents and have huge implications on the environment and the quality of life of the local community"

Having been there for just a day, it did strike me how noisy and constant the planes were. One resident commented on the dichotomy the expansion presents: she herself had benefitted from BA shares and the employment opportunities Heathrow provides but she was frustrated at the constant level of noise generated by the overhead flightpath.

It is issues such as these that reinforce my belief that the winning elections is all about local issues, which is why it is so important to re-build and expand CF at a local level.

Boris @ King's College

Well done to the King's Conservative Society in organising a very-well recieved Boris Johnson event. What struck me was how much more serious Boris has become. I was a chatting with a friend about this and about how Boris seems to have taken a stepback from the limelight: my theory is he is distancing himself from the joker role and is now focussing on the serious task of taking office as London Mayor. Guido posted something along those lines the earlier.

I think Boris is the one man in the Tory party that can match Ken in terms of personality, individuality and media presence. He hadn't changed his delivery but seem far more determined to actually address direct issues, even though I didn't agree with all of them.

As I don't live in London, I can't vote but I will be out campaiging for Boris as soon as it re-starts. I think the Oyster Card holders are superb and even non-voters were taking them when I was helping out at Oxford Circus!

Cheltenham campaigning

Went across to Cheltenham on Saturday to do some leafleting with Bristol and Gloucestershire Conservative Future. They have a very strong group building up over in the South West and Nick Webb is quite rightly re-standing for election as Area Chair.

I genuinely enjoy visiting different seats, it is always re-assuring to see that we have such a great national coverage, supported by hard working local teams.

Campaigning in Lewes

The TRG organised a campaign in day in Lewes where Jason Sugarman is contesting a soon-to-be-very marginal seat. At the next general election, due to boundary changes, the 8000 majority should be slashed to just under 3000, giving us a great change to win what appears to be a no-hoper of a seat. We spent the day leafleting areas that had historically been neglected by the local associations.

Lewes town itself, apparently, is a solid Tory area but they have no CF to speak of. It may well be worth arranging a CF day down there. I've had some minor criticism for not going to Pendle with other CF members. Whilst the Pendle trip was an entirely noble and justified, I had agreed to the TRG event many moons ago and, out of gratitude for all the support they have provided UCL over the last five years, I couldn't let them down. We didn't heavily promote the day out of respect for the national CF event. Unfortunately for me, it wasn't even a Student TRG event so I was acting entirely altruistically!

It is fair to say that the communication from the NME needs to be more strategic and planning needs to longer-term so we don't have overlaps like this. I address this kind of issue in my manifesto of principles, which will be launched in December.