CF Newsletter – January 2009

Message from the National Chairman

Happy New Year!

I trust this message finds you all well watered, fed and rested after the festive season!

2009 will be a tough year for us all; we will face many challenges in the year ahead, with the economic crisis likely to affect everyone in one way or another and hit some very hard over the coming months. Even though we now have nationalised banks, debts that 'our' children will be paying off and millions facing unemployment, we can at least sleep peacefully at night in the knowledge that El Gordo has "saved the world"...!

But we should be positive - this year could see us put David Cameron into No 10. Conservative Future provides a campaigning backbone for the Conservative Party and it will be our members that put in an enormous amount of the groundwork to get Tory PPCs elected. Previously, there has been a lack of recognition for all the local campaigning all of you already perform, but I am determined to make sure that your efforts are better championed and rewarded. The entire Party still has a huge amount of work ahead of us but we should relish the challenge and remember the potential outcome: a Conservative Government.

The National Management Executive have made some striking changes in the last few months, most notably that we now have Regional Chairmen in place to provide extra support to branches. These people are a crucial addition to the national team as we aim to ready ourselves for a potential election: please do get in touch with yours and work together to improve your organisation locally. Encouraging more and better regional representation within Conservative Future has always been one of my main aims and I'm pleased to see that the RC's have already made a positive impact ahead of the wider consultation on local structures.

So let's work together, let's campaign and let's take this country back from the current leftist, statist control-freaks!

I wish you all a very successful 2009,

Michael Rock

2) Regional Chairman

December 8th 2008 saw the creation of 12 Regional Chairmen (RC) positions, to form part of the national structure of Conservative Future. The National Management Executive (NME) has used section 8 of the Conservative Future constitution to create these positions.

The purpose of these positions is to give additional support to branches at a regional and local level. The four main areas of work the Regional Chairmen will focus on are branch development, regional campaigning, communication improvements and campaigns.

More about the RC's
http://executive.cfbranch.com/2008/12/08/regional-chairmen-appointed/

Find yours
http://executive.cfbranch.com/contact/regional-chairmen/



3) Recent blog posts of interest
We welcome contributions from branches and members
http://executive.cfbranch.com/2008/12/04/guest-authors/

YBF – Every Monday Matters – week 1
http://executive.cfbranch.com/2009/01/06/every-monday-matters-week-1/

London CF Launch 'Smash Brown' game
http://executive.cfbranch.com/2008/12/23/london-cf-launch-smash-brown-game/



Social Action and Conservative Future
http://executive.cfbranch.com/2008/12/18/social-action-and-conservative-future/



Academies: The Future of Education?
http://executive.cfbranch.com/2008/12/17/academies-the-future-of-education/



Getting your message across
http://executive.cfbranch.com/2008/12/10/getting-your-message-across/

4) Inside CF
The main activities and areas that CF members are involved with

Student Life
Student Life is aimed at those CF members who are under-30 and in full or part time education.
http://executive.cfbranch.com/student-life/

Working Life
Working Life is aimed at those CF members who are in employment and under 30 years of age.
http://executive.cfbranch.com/working-life/

Exciting launch of Working Life Network coming soon – watch out for further details!

Social Action
CF takes a large role in social action projects across the UK. This is run by the CF Social Action Network
http://executive.cfbranch.com/social-action/

A look ahead to 2009 for CFSAN
http://cfsan.blogspot.com/2008/12/look-ahead-to-2009.html

5) Branches
Branch of the Month
A feature to highlight the great work our branches do, as well as providing advice and ideas to other branches.

Birmingham University Conservative Future
Back in October 2006 BUCF setup a blog and since then it has grown and grown. The blog is ready hundreds of people each week and won the Conservative Home 'best young conservative blog' award in 2007. This is a great way to communicate your message.
http://bucf.wordpress.com/

New Branch map
We have now launched a fully interactive branch map, showing CF branches across all of the UK. Let us know if your branch is not on the map, or the details are incorrect.
http://executive.cfbranch.com/branches/

6) Campaigns & events
We are running various 'national' campaigns and events and your branch can get involved. Visit the links to find out more.

CF backs NO2ID
Conservative Future officially supports NO2ID, the campaign against the Government's planned ID card and National Identity Register.
http://executive.cfbranch.com/campaigns-events/cf-backs-no2id/

CFBranch
A free blog for any CF branch that wants to have one. CF needs to become a much more professional organisation and the starting point for that is to ensure that every branch has effective communication methods in place.
http://cfbranch.com/

7) Contact us
Conservative Future website:
http://www.conservativefuture.com

National Executive blog:
http://executive.cfbranch.com

Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Conservative-Future/22269108766

CF Exec twitter:
http://twitter.com/cfexec

The National Management Executive
Michael Rock, Chairman - michael@rock4cf.com

Christian May, Deputy Chairman, International Relations, Working Life - christianjmay@googlemail.com

Owen Meredith, Working Life, CF Wales Liaison - owen@owenmeredith.co.uk

Adele Douglas, Northern Board, Campaign North Liaison - adele.n.douglas@hotmail.co.uk

Steve Ricketts, Conservative Councillors - steven.ricketts@plymouth.gov.uk

Patrick Sullivan, Campaigning, Student Life - patricksullivan21@hotmail.com

Richard Jackson, Media and Internal Relations - rngjackson@gmail.com

Anastasia Beaumont-Bott, (not NME) Social Action Network liaison - anastasiabeaumontbott@yahoo.co.uk

Conservative Future Christmas Party

The 2008 official Conservative Future Christmas Party will be held on Wednesday 10th December at 7pm. It is taking place at the Calico Bar & Eating House in London:

Calico Bar & Eating House
67-69 Watling Street
London
EC4M 9DD
Map click here

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Conservative-Future/22269108766#/event.php?eid=41509741478

We look forward to seeing you there! We are sorry for those members outside London. I include below other CF Christmas events happening around the country:

Islington Conservatives Christmas Carol Service - 2nd Dec
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=32602423891

Exeter CF Christmas Ball - 5th Dec
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=35458926809

Ellesmere Port & Neston Conservative Future Christmas Social - 12th Dec
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=43312809187

York Tories Christmas Ball - 14th Dec
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=48096171006

Richmond Park CF Christmas Party - 18th Dec
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=32025814854

Duncan exposes Brown's small business bombshell

William Bickford Smith, President of Nottingham University Conservative Association, reviews a speech given by Alan Duncan - given to business leaders in Nottingham after Darling's pre-budget report.

At 3pm on the 25th November, less than 24 hours after Darling's pre-budget report, seven members of the Nottingham University Conservative Association took their seats in the front rows of a conference room in Nottingham, ready to listen to Alan Duncan's speech to business leaders from across the region.

The speech was frank and honest, from a man who gets to the point. The main point Alan emphasized was the fact that the 2.5% cut in VAT would actually lose more money for many businesses than before the cut. This is due to the fact that firms will now have to change their infrastructures, at a time when time is already tight due to the Christmas period. For instance, businesses will not have to alter prices in line with this cut, to upgrade their computer software, and to pay their accountancy fees when the rate changes from 17.5% to 15% and then do it all over again when it goes back to 17.5% a year later. Furthermore, Alan explained how companies that have already printed their catalogues for Christmas will now own thousands of incorrectly priced catalogues which are useless to everyone. Conservatives.com has reported that the total cost of all this administration will be over £300m, and individual firms could face bills of at least £2,250.

The timing of this cut in VAT is simply bizarre- the one time when companies are guaranteed some business is at Christmas, but now customers are going to hold out until the cuts come into play on Monday to save a bit of money, thus rendering the rest of this trading week worthless.

Whilst in the conference room we heard the specific situation individual business leaders found themselves in. One man, an executive at Boots, described how they would face costs into the millions to react to the cut in VAT. This is simply appalling and Alan Duncan explained how this is just classic Labour top-down policy which cannot see the real picture on ground level and the effect on businesses.

The speech was short but decisive and the unanimous feeling in the room was one of despair at the shocking actions of the government, and a definite sense of yearning for change, change which the Conservative Party have been calling for years. The battle lines have certainly been drawn and we left the speech with a huge sense of loyalty to the Party and deep abhorrence of the Labour government.

The Nottingham University Conservative Association have now organised a debate with the Nottingham Labour Club so that we may articulate some of the fantastic points Alan Duncan made to us during his speech. I urge other University CF branches to do the same.

Conservative Future delivers payload of 'tax bombshell' messages

On Monday evening Conservative Future (CF) spearheaded the Party's latest campaign: the Labour tax bombshell.

This was part of the Conservative Party's co-ordinated campaign to highlight how Gordon Brown's £100bn borrowing binge will mean higher taxes in the long run. This was a co-ordinated campaign run by leading CF activists

CF members were out giving out 'tax bombshell' leaflets in Liverpool, Bristol, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, and terminus stations across London. A total of 12 locations, 120 volunteers, 20,000 leaflets all given out over a 2 hour period.

Quote of the night comes from a man commenting on seeing CF members outside the train station in Liverpool:

"I'm 62, I lived here all my life and I've never seen so many Tories in the one place before."

Commenting, CF National Chairman, Michael Rock said:

"Monday night was a triumph for Conservative Future. We proved both our importance to the Party and the effectiveness of our members, all across the country."

"I want to thank all the members who were giving out leaflets in the cold last night, you made a real difference."

If you wish to help in future campaigns, or would like to be a CF Campaign Team Leader for CF hit squads then please contact Michael Lunn at CCHQ on Michael.Lunn@Conservatives.com

Photos from the teams:

Photos from all the locations around the country can be found on the Conservative Future Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Conservative-Future/22269108766

Coverage of the event:

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/torydiary/2008/11/after-the-pbr-c.html

An evening of drinks with Syed Kamall MEP

Syed Kamall is a Member of the European Parliament for London. Before being elected MEP in 2005, Syed worked as a consultant to companies on marketing, strategy and public affairs and is a co-founder of the Global Business Research Institute (GBRI). Syed is also a visiting Fellow at Leeds University Business School and completed a book on EU telecommunications policy in 1996. He also sits on the Conservative Party’s Globalisation & Global Poverty working group.

Time: Thursday, December 11th, 7:00 – 9:00pm

Location: 23 Hamilton Terrace, London NW8 9RE, courtesy of Roxane Glick
(nearest tube stations: St John’s Wood, Warwick Avenue, or Baker Street)

Dress code: Smart Casual

Tickets: £7 each, to include complementary drinks.

To book your place please email Mark Padley: mark@wncf.co.uk





To: Mark Padley, Flat 23 St Johns Wood Court, St Johns Wood Road, London NW8 8QT,

Tel: 07840488878)

o Please reserve ….. places at £7 each for drinks with Syed Kamall on December 11 for which I enclose a cheque for £……….

o I am unable to attend but enclose a donation of £……

(Please make cheques payable to WNCA)




*NB No tickets will be issued; a guest list will be checked on the door

Statement from the CF National Management Executive

Reforms to the national organisation

Following the meeting held on Saturday 15th November the National
Management Executive have voted to support the following actions:

1. To postpone any election for the national organisation until after
the next General Election. It is vital CF is ready for the General
Election and we cannot be distracted by an internal election.
2. To begin the transition from an NME to 12 Regional Chairmen
who will make up the new National Executive.

1) Election Timetable
With the local and European elections timetabled for 11th June 2009,
the possible addition of a General Election to that date and the
restructuring of the national structure of CF, it has been agreed that
the this term will be extended to a minimum of August 2009; this was
also agreed and minuted in the first meeting of this administration.
The importance of next year to the Party, the pressure on resources
and the need to focus on supporting the Party’s bid to form the next
Government is at the forefront of this decision.

The NME is united on this issue and looks forward to delivering a
stronger, more effective Conservative Future for all our members.

2) Transition from the NME to an Executive of Regional Chairmen
Under the agreement passed by the NME at the meeting on 15th November several steps will take place in the coming months.

December 1st 2008
12 Regional Chairmen (RCs) appointed under section 8 of the Conservative Future constitution.

Their primary roles will be:
 To co-ordinate branch development, regional campaigning,
communication improvements and national campaigns within their
given region.
 To support CF branches within their regions

The NME will handover their ‘regional’ responsibilities to the newly
appointed Regional Chairmen.

The new NME roles will be:
As a body:
 To assist with the handover to the Regional Chairmen
 To provide support to the Regional Chairmen, Area Chairmen
and Branch Chairmen
 Hold the Regional Chairmen to account

All Area Chairmen to stay on and work with the Regional Chairmen
until August 2009.

August 2009
The NME will vote on the future roles of Area Chairmen following
feedback from the membership.

The NME will then be disbanded and the 12 Regional Chairmen will
become the National Executive.

Following the General Election
Elections will be held for all the national positions

Conclusion
The most important role Conservative Future needs to play is to
support and help our Party back into power.

With a possible General Election in the next year it is far more
important for CF to prepare itself for the battle ahead.

In the coming weeks we will publish more specific information on the
future roles for each level of the national organisation.

If you have any comments or questions on this announcement then please contact one of the NME. Contact details for us, and a ‘post’ for comments, can be found on the Exec blog http://executive.cfbranch.com

National Management Executive

Conservative Future launches interactive branch map

Conservative Future (CF) is today launching a fully interactive branch map, showing CF branches across all of the UK and Northern Ireland.

Underpinned by Google Maps, this map will allow prospective members to find their local branch and current members to find nearby branches to aid with support and networking. Each branch 'pin' will contain information on contacting that specific branch.

Commenting on the launch, CF National Chairman, Michael Rock said:

"This branch map sees our organisation taking a large step towards improving communication within the membership, offering an easily accessible reference point for new members and a tremendous opportunity for all branches to promote themselves .

"With your help, I hope to see the map completely swamped over the coming months!"

The CF branch map BETA


View Larger Map

We have put it together from available branch information – we may not have every CF branch on the map, or have the correct contact information, so we are asking members to check and email us with any corrections that are needed – to rngjackson@gmail.com

Where can the branch map be found

This is available on the Conservative Future website, the National Executive blog and via the link below:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=104636970215012940100.0004562600d6bd1767e64&ll=52.362183,-1.175537&spn=4.864648,7.591553&z=7

Conservative Future supports Campaign for equal pay for women

Shadow Minister for Women Theresa May MP has joined forces with Conservative Future to campaign for equal pay for women.

‘Theresa May on Equal Pay’ as a group on Facebook and aims to generate greater awareness about the gender pay gap, which still affects women today.

Despite Labour passing a lot of legislation to try and stamp out the pay gap, men still get paid 17.2 per cent more than women, meaning that the average woman will lose or forgo a massive £300,000 over her lifetime. This pay gap does not only exist in the lower paid job sectors - women working full-time earn less than men working full-time in every occupation.

Theresa wants to tackle the pay gap by not just passing a law, but by raising awareness of the gender pay gap, especially amongst young people. The Equal Pay and Flexible Working Bill will be launched in the House of Lords at Christmas, and Theresa aims to gain cross party support for the Bill.

The measures included in the Bill were announced by Theresa and David Cameron last year are an extension of flexible working rights to parents with children under the age of 18, and encouraging girls to make more ambitious career choices.

Theresa says:

“I am delighted to joined forces with Conservative Future to campaign for Fair Play on Women’s Pay. It is completely wrong in the 21st century that we have a pay gap and that women are getting paid less than men for doing equivalent jobs. I want to use the Facebook group to raise awareness of this issue among younger people. This is not just a political issue - for me it is much bigger than that, that’s why no matter what political beliefs women have, fair treatment should be something we can all support and get all MPs to do the same”

Michael Rock CF chairman says "I am delighted to be supporting Theresa with this campaign. It it so important for me that younger women become engaged in contemporary politics and understand that they have the power to act and change the direction in which we are heading."

The link for the campaign is below:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38527564480

Conservative Future Task Force hit flood stricken area

A team from Exeter City and East Devon Conservative Future (ECED-CF) piled into a car last week and drove to Ottery St Mary in an effort to assist with the clean-up operation after the devastating floods of Wednesday night.

The team, all aged 20, spent the day helping elderly residents clear their drive ways and assisted council workers with the cleaning of Cul-de-sacs. Speaking to the local residents there was a strong feeling of community, all there to help each other.

James Morton, Chairman of Devon and Cornwall Conservative Future (DC-CF), commented “It is at a time like this that you truly see the heart of the community coming out. It is not the time to make a dig at our government, it is now that we should be working together to get this historic town back to some form of normality”
“We saw the news yesterday evening and felt that a team of young energetic students could be of help – we really didn’t have any idea what we would do but it was better to be here and offer our services than sit at home commenting on how awful it looked, especially when we only live in Exeter.”

Conservative Future Events – October

Bow Group – The future of American foreign policy

Date: Monday, October 20, 2008
Time: 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Location: Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Street: Houses of Parliament
City/Town: London, United Kingdom
Contact: SHORTHOUSER@parliament.uk

Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?
eid=34167747212

Reading Conservative Future Monthly Social

Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: Bar Copa
Street: King's Road
City/Town: Reading, United Kingdom
Contact: mail@daveluckett.co.uk

Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=30189207621

UCL Conservative Society Question Time

Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Time: 7:30pm - 10:30pm
Location: Jeremy Bentham Room, Wilkins Building, UCL
Street: Gower Street
City/Town: London, United Kingdom

Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=39770939127

Heslington Group with Lord Strathclyde

Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: Marquis of Granby (Speaker's Bar)
Street: Romney Street
City/Town: City of Westminster, United Kingdom

Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=34274745068

Islington Conservatives - Reception with Boris Johnson
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2008
Time: 7:00pm - 11:30pm
Location: Surya Nightclub
Street: 156 Pentonville Road Islington N1
City/Town: London, United Kingdom
Contact: office@islingtonconservatives.com

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=16172358993

Exeter CF Student Life Question Time

Date: Thursday, October 23, 2008
Time: 8:00pm - 10:30pm
Location: Long Lounge/JCR
Street: Devonshire House
City/Town: Exeter, United Kingdom
Contact: chairman@exetercf.co.uk
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=27065524196

YBF5 Conference

Start Time: Friday, October 24, 2008 at 12:00pm End Time: Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 1:00pm
Location: Wellington College
City/Town: Crowthorne, United Kingdom
Contact: donal@ybf.org.uk

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=34973152183

Nottingham Uni CF – Millbank Dinner

Start Time: Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 7:15pm End Time: Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 12:00am
Location: Yew Lodge Hotel
City/Town: Kegworth, United Kingdom
Contact: ldybwhb@nottingham.ac.uk

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=30699376703

Havering CF Drinks

Date: Saturday, October 25, 2008
Time: 7:30pm - 11:30pm
Location: Moon & Stars
Street: South Street
City/Town: Romford, United Kingdom
Contact: chairman@haveringconservativefuture.com

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=33078791646

Iain Dale @ UCL

Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Time: 7:30pm - 10:30pm
Location: Gustav Tuck Lecture Theatre, Wilkins Building, UCL
Street: Gower Street
City/Town: London, United Kingdom
Contact:

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=34075930447

Young Briton's Foundation at Nottingham University

Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Time: 12:00pm - 5:30pm
Location: West Concourse Lounge, Portland Building
City/Town: Nottingham, United Kingdom
Contact: ldybwhb@nottingham.ac.uk

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=35845320964

University of East Anglia CF Student Life Question Time

Date: Friday, October 31, 2008
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Union House (Room to be confirmed)
Street: University of East Anglia
City/Town: Norwich, United Kingdom
Contact: ueaconservatives@googlemail.com

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=37387121473

Hillingdon CF Grand Ball (Northwood Ball)

Date: Friday, October 31, 2008
Time: 7:00pm - 11:55pm
Location: Moor Park Mansion
City/Town: Moore Park, MI
Contact: peter_smallwood@hotmail.co.uk

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=40228740866

CF to support Mary Macleod PPC in Super Saturday Hit Squad

Conservative Future are in fighting spirit after the Party Conference and will be supporting candidate Mary Macleod on Saturday 18th October.

We will be meeting 10am - meet at 433 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick W4 4AU
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=519632&y=178398&z=1&sv=519632,178398&st=4&ar=Y&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf

Agenda
10.00 - 12.30 - deliver in the Isleworth ward
Lunch in a great pub on the river (on us!) - The London Apprentice, 62 Church Street, Old Isleworth, TW7 6BG
14.00 - 16.30 - deliver in the Syon ward
Followed by drinks in another good watering hole - the Coach & Horses, 183 London Road, TW7 5BQ

Contact Mary directly for more information
Mary Macleod
07850 120073
mary@marymacleod.com

Freshers Feedback wanted

As freshers' season draws to a close, it may seem like a good time to relax a little bit. But the work for Conservative Future is never done, and we are keen to make sure we make the most of 2008 - taking the highs and the lows to improve for the future. So here's your chance to have your say…

We have a short survey for you to give us your views on the campaign this year, so as Chairman, Freshers' Manager, life-long Conservative or a new member you can give us your opinion. Please take a moment to complete the short survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=uiR7q_2fgScE7lFiBKN9G6PA_3d_3d

CF Events at Party Conference

CF has 3 events at Party Conference this year for you to come along to:

CF Party Conference Training Workshop & Reception

Date & time: Saturday 27th at 12:00pm - Sunday 28th at 12:00pm
Location: ICC
Conservative Future is teaming up for the first time with the Young Britons’ Foundation to organise a half-day specialist training programme that will help you become the most effective advocate for conservatism you can be. Conservatives owe it to their philosophy to study how to win.

The £25 course fee (£10 for students in full-time education) includes:
* Tuition fee and printed course materials
* Access to the Freedom Exhibition featuring many of the leading conservative think-tanks and campaign groups
* Tea, coffee, water and refreshments
* Entry into the FREE evening drinks reception with MPs, MEPs and PPCs
* Debrief on Sunday morning, with a review of the papers, Bloody Marys and bacon butties!

To reserve your places on the CF Party Conference Training Workshop, please email info@ybf.org.uk. Your place is not confirmed until payment of the workshop fee is made. Cheques should be made payable to “Young Britons’ Foundation” and then posted to YBF, 50 Churchill Square, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4YU.

Please note - places are limited to 100 activists. UPDATE ONLY A FEW PLACES LEFT

LATEST NEWS: Post training PARTY at Birmingham’s exclusive “O-Bar” where YBF have rented a private room. Free entry and two free drinks for those that attended training, tickets available to buy for those that did not. Email christian@ybf.org.uk for details.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=16684793287

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
CF 10th Anniversary Reception with Special Guest!!!
Date & time: Monday 29th at 9:30pm - Tuesday 30th at 1:30am
Location: Symphony Hall Foyer, Broad street

On October 8th 1998 William Hague merged several groups (Young Conservatives, Conservative Students, Conservative Collegiate Forum & Conservative Graduates) to form a new organisation: Conservative Future.

This year at Party Conference we will be celebrating this 10 year anniversary and we want you to join us! Come along for drinks, cake and a party. Various MPs will be joining us during the evening.

ALL CURRENT & FORMER CF MEMBERS WELCOME!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=25447266657

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Brunch with The National Autistic Society & The Bow Group
Date & time: Tuesday 30th at 10:30am - 11:30am
Location: ICC (Hall 8A)

A brunch (hot food included) with The National Autistic Society & The Bow Group.
“think differently about autism”

Gordon just can't say sorry!

Mr. Brown did not say sorry to the public during his speech to the Labour Party Conference.

Here are some of the things he should have apologised for:

Reason to apologise #1 - Raising taxes on Britain's poorest families
In his last Budget as Chancellor, Brown announced the abolition of the 10p starting rate of income tax, despite warnings it would hit 5.3 million low-earning families. And even after trying to undo the mess with more changes, 1.1 million low earners will still lose out by up to £112 a year.

Reason to apologise #2 - Losing the personal data of 25 million people
On 20 November 2007, Alistair Darling admitted that discs containing the personal details of 25 million individuals, and the bank details of 15 million people, had been lost by HM Revenue and Customs.

Nick Herbert, the Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, called for Brown to apologise for Labour's "cavalier attitude to personal information and complete inability to deal with repeated breaches of data security."

Reason to apologise #3 - Blaming junior officials
Whether it's an article endorsing Barack Obama written in his name, the loss of half the nation's personal data or the confusion over taxing non-doms, Gordon Brown ducks responsibility and blames his officials at every opportunity. Instead of providing the strong leadership this country needs, Brown is showing himself to be Britain's weakest ever Prime Minister.

Reason to apologise #4 - Retrospectively taxing ordinary family cars
In this year's Budget, the Government announced a new, retrospective hike in Vehicle Excise Duty, meaning that drivers of 81 per cent of cars bought since 2001 will pay more in tax by 2010-11. Shadow Treasury Minister Justine Greening said:

"Gordon Brown claimed that this was a green tax. However, ministers had to admit that it will cut motor vehicle emissions by a fraction of 1% a year.....by 2020, costing £2.4bn more and leave 9.4m motorists worse off by 2010. It truly was a poll-tax on wheels."

Reason to apologise #5 - Capital Gains Tax uncertainty
In the 2007 Pre-Budget Report, Alistair Darling announced an 80% hike in Capital Gains Tax. Brown's Government then dithered for months, creating damaging confusion and uncertainty for business, before finally performing a U-turn in January of this year. The changed levy is still expected to raise £700 million from entrepreneurs.

Reason to apologise #6 - Spin over Iraq troop withdrawals
In October last year, Mr. Brown flew to Iraq to announce that 1,000 British troops would be brought home from the region by Christmas - but the withdrawal of 500 of those troops had already been announced, and a further 270 had already returned to the UK.

Brown's announcement was just pure political opportunism, and Liam Fox, the Shadow Defence Secretary, slammed his use of the Armed Forces for "political purposes":

"This is indicative of the poor treatment that the Armed Forces have received from Gordon Brown over the past 11 years. He should apologise."

Reason to apologise #7 - Damaging dithering over Stamp Duty
In August, Labour spin doctors briefed the media that a Stamp Duty holiday would be introduced as part of Brown's Economic Recovery Plan. As a result, potential homebuyers held off on making purchases, causing further damage to an already slowing housing market.

Grant Shapps, the Shadow Housing Minister, condemned Brown's actions as "a cynical piece of political manoeuvring by a Prime Minister more concerned about salvaging his career than looking after hard-pressed families battling with the rocketing cost of living."

Reason to apologise #8 - Brown's spin on 'an end to spin'
In May last year, Gordon Brown dispatched Harriet Harman to proclaim: "under a Gordon Brown regime, we need to have no spin, no briefing". But last year, Brown spent £391million on Government spin doctors - £53 million more than Blair spent in his last year.

Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude, commented:

"At a time when the British public is being taxed more than ever by this Labour Government, it's extraordinary that Gordon Brown can still find millions to spend on spin doctors to peddle Labour's propaganda."

Reason to apologise #9 - Failing to clear up Labour's finances
In December 2007, Brown said there would be "immediate changes" in the way the Labour Party is financed and called for "broader change within our system of political funding". But he has failed to alter Labour's reliance on the unions. The latest figures show that just one union – Unite – provides 40% of Labour's funding. And on 5th September, Brown's Labour Party was forced to repay a £15,000 donation from a children's charity, which it had accepted contrary to charity law.

Reason to apologise #10 - Closing GP surgeries
Labour's imposition of 'polyclinics' – supersized GP practices – could lead to the closure of 1,700 family doctor surgeries in England and the average distance to the nearest GP could triple. Labour are forcing every Primary Care Trust in England to open a polyclinic, regardless of whether they need one or local people want one. And the way the contracts are being drawn up is unfair, giving the new 'polyclinics' an unfair financial advantage over existing GPs.

Reason to apologise #11 - Releasing thousands of prisoners early
Brown's Government has let more than 34,000 prisoners out of prison early, resulting in hundreds of extra alleged crimes - and this despite his claim that, "My first duty is to protect the British people."

Shadow Justice Secretary, Nick Herbert, called on Brown to apologise to the victims of the serious crimes which would not have been committed if these offenders were safely behind bars.

Reason to apologise #12 - Failing to stick to independent arbitration over police pay
Last year, the Government ignored the recommendations of the independent arbitration panel on police pay for the first time in 28 years.

Shadow Home Secretary, Dominic Grieve, stressed, "The Prime Minister's incompetent handling of this issue has broken the bond of trust between the Government and the police. Labour's attitude towards officers has been one bordering on contempt and Gordon Brown must apologise."

Reason to apologise #13 - SATs marking fiasco
Thousands of pupils received their SATs results weeks late after ETS - an American company hired by Labour despite a record of failure – failed to meet the deadline for delivering them.

Michael Gove, the Shadow Secretary for Children, Schools and Families, said, "The Government oversaw a complete fiasco with this year's SATs testing. What's more, they have neither apologised for this failure nor taken decisive action to ensure it is not repeated next year."

Reason to apologise #14 - Failing to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution
Labour promised the public a referendum on the EU Constitution in their 2005 election manifesto – and when Brown became Prime Minister, he said, "We've got to honour that manifesto. That is an issue of trust for me with the electorate." But he forced through the Lisbon Treaty – the renamed EU Constitution – on a three line whip without any democratic mandate from the voters to sign it.

William Hague, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, said, "His failure to hold a referendum shows he can't be trusted to keep his promises and that he doesn't care about the British people's wishes, even on something as fundamental as what powers we give the EU. No wonder people feel let down."