National Conservative Future Elections

It gives me great pleasure to welcome Councillor Ben Howlett to his new post as National Conservative Future Chairman. Ben is joined on the National Executive by Newly Elected Deputy Chairman (political) Alexandra Swann and Newly Elected Deputy Chairman (Membership) Clare Hilley, the New appointed officer is James Deighton.

I am delighted to pass on my congratulations to the new National Executive and all of the new regional chairmen.

Bring on the Area Chairmen elections next month...

Are young People really apathetic towards politics?

As chairman of Erewash Conservative Future, I am seen, by the Erewash Conservative Association and indeed by Jessica Lee as the figure head and sign post for all young people who join the party. But the herculean task of engaging with young people in the first place will always be a barrier that we need to beat down.

I am ashamed to say that at the last Erewash Association event, I was the only member of Conservative Future there. Not one of the members turned up. Now this may be the type of event that we are running, but talking to the membership individually, I get the feeling that it is more along the lines of the people that go to these events.

But I simply refuse to believe that young people are just apathetic about politics as a whole.

I understand that in this modern era of hung parliament's and coalition governments, people may become disenfranchised by the political system or even by individual political party politics. But then it could also be the fact that we no longer educate our children about politics. Throughout Derbyshire, there are only two secondary schools that still teach any form of politics and even then it is only at KS5 level. This only happens at private schools and not at comprehensive state schools.

Memories

Today marks the beginning of Freshers Fayre at many Universities across the United Kingdom and is the first Freshers Fayre in three years that I am not involved in.

This week brings back many fond memories from the last few years but from last year in particular brings back the memories of me splitting my freshers between UDSU Liberation and the Conservative Party. It also marked my new found affiliation with High Peak Conservatives and we won't remind ourselves about the unfortunate turn of events that lead on from that...

It makes me so proud to look back though.

Keeping Up Appearances

As I look for a final selection for the Erewash Borough Council Elections in 2011, I spent the day at the Erewash Conservative Association BBQ yesterday in my role as chief cook and bottle washer...

I, this morning, stink of BBQ smoke, as if I were on 40 a day... :-( but all in all it was a very pleasant afternoon, and a fantastic networking event.

Congratulations, by the way, to Jessica Lee MP, honorable member for Erewash, on becoming Private Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General. Your constituents are all extremely proud.