Back in November I published plans to change Working Life and make it a professional network to ensure Conservative students didn’t fall through the ‘graduation gap’ and that young professionals could get the most out of Conservative Future.
Since then, you’ll have noticed there has been little progress.
The reality is that we are still working on this as the ultimate goal for Working Life, but the vision requires putting in place the mechanisms to make it work. This requires up-front investment of time and resources as well as database management, which …

The Government is planning a massive new database which will collect and retain private information such as emails, text messages and phone call and internet records.
This is yet another set down the road towards the database sate, with ID Cards coming ever closer and the huge database to accompany the project. This Government’s track record with public data is far from immaculate, loosing 25 million people’s bank details not too long ago, with plenty of other examples of blunders hitting the headlines. Why should we trust them with more data, …

David Cameron and Barak Obama
Today, America’s 44th President takes office, setting records in his wake. The first black President has a lot to live up to, with America hungry for him to deliver on his promise of ‘Hope’ and ‘Change’. But can the Conservative Party learn anything from his campaign? And should we be looking to emulate his successes?
The Obama campaign started as a long-shot at the beginning of the Presidential Primaries more than 2 years ago; but a message of change and hope and a fresh campaign style led …

Last night London CF launched in true style with a fantastic drinks reception with over 150 CFers, plus MPs, AMs and Shadow Cabinet members Liam Fox and Eric Pickles.
Congratulations have to go to Clare Hilley and the London CF executive who did a fantastic job organising the event and bringing the whole night together. Getting such a strong turnout on a week night and the support of two Shadow Cabinet members is no easy task.
The event is being followed up by the first London CF regional campaign day tomorrow, details …

Recent events have reminded us all just how open and accessible the internet really is, and how vulnerable to attack we can be.
We live in a high-technology world, with 24/7 news media that has a lot of air time to fill. As individuals it is important that we all take responsibility for our own actions, and think of the consequences.
When attending CF or Conservative Party events, or if you hold any position within CF, your actions can reflect on your position and therefore the Party. So make sure you act …

December 2008 
Responsibilities: 

Student Development (Fresher’s Packs)
Working Life
Region 4: Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire & Worcestershire, Birmingham & Solihull
Development in Wales

INTRODUCTION 
It has been an interesting and busy 3 months since my last report. Firstly, I must apologise for not writing this report in November, when it was due; with other things going on it slipped my mind. It certainly feels like a lot has been going on since my last report, but much of my work on portfolio matters has been slow, and behind the scenes.
We have now completed …

Staffordshire CF Area Chairman, Matt Lewis, decided to step down from the role at the end of the year, following a move to London.
As the former AC from Staffordshire I want to thank Matt for his work over the past year (and before that) to improve CF in the County. He has done some great work, getting CF to the forefront of the campaign to Save Post Offices in Staffordshire from closure, setting up new branches in Cannock and Burton and offering support to the strong branch network.
Staffordshire has some strong …

Hello,
It’s that time of year when post bags are full of Christmas cards and we all start thinking about over-eating and the joys of Christmas food.
This year, I have decided not to send Christmas cards, and instead opted to sponsor an African child for a year. While we all enjoy receiving Christmas cards, with the internet, emails and facebook we can all communicate for free, so i decided it would be better to spend the money otherwise spent on cards to feed a child for a year.
I would normally use Christmas …

One of the key ideas I raised in my manifesto when standing for the NME was to try and bridge the ‘graduation gap’. This is the term that I have used to identify the process of CF members who have been involved at University, graduating and moving away but never getting involved with CF or the Party where they move. michael.lunn@conservatives.com title “Working Life Graduates”; alternatively if you want to discuss more about it or how to find such a list contact me on owen@owenmeredith.co.uk.
These people fall through the ‘graduation …

CF student leaders have called for CF to have greater involvement, and play a more active role in NUS. Only 23% believe it is right for CF to withdraw completely from NUS.
In the post-freshers survey branch chairman, freshers’ managers and other CF officers, gave the clearest signal yet for Conservative Future to take on the left wing traditions of the NUS head on. The results will be passed to the Student Life committee to consider how CF can gain representation an influence in the national student body.