Visiting Walworth Academy with Mayor Bloomberg

David Cameron recently visited Walworth Academy with Mike Bloomberg, the Mayor of New York. Walworth was one of London's less successful schools before being turned into an academy - but now there's a real sense of possibility and achievement here.

At the call centre with Boris

20.00, Thursday 1st May. Boris and I call in at the 'Back Boris' call centre in London, where everyone was working really hard, calling people to ask them to vote Conservative in the Mayoral Election.

Boris wins - exclusive reaction video

23:57, Friday 2nd May at Conservative Campaign HQ, Westminster. Boris is elected as Mayor of London with 1,168,738 first and second preference votes. Watch my reaction in this exclusive video, and all the night's videos at our Election Night 2008 playlist on YouTube.

Crime Mapping

We think every police force should publish the crimes committed in their area in a map form. It's an idea that technology makes possible, that's worked in the United States, and it's absolutely key to dealing with the crime that blights our communities.

- Back Boris for London Mayor - www.BackBoris.com -

- Vote Conservative on May 1st - www.Conservatives.com -

Going green & keeping household bills down

I visited a family in West Yorkshire who have taken part in a 'Warm Front' scheme (set up by their Conservative-controlled council) which is insulating people's homes for free. It’s a good example of local councils going green while helping to keep household bills down.

Conservative Future supports Day for Darfur 5

On Sunday 13th April 2008 members from Conservative Future (CF) joined with other organisations to support the "Day for Darfur 5" protest at the Sudanese Embassy in London; a protest against the crisis in Darfur with particular focus on the affect that the situation is having on the children of Darfur. Speakers at the event included Andrew Mitchell MP, the Conservative International Development spokesman.

Anastasia Beaumont-Bott, CF National Management Executive member comments on the importance of the day:
"The situation in Darfur is now at a critical crisis point and action is needed.

"Over the last five years, the problem and conflict between the Sudanese government and the people of Darfur has escalated, slowly becoming more violent and more dangerous. But perhaps what is the most worrying is that the children of Darfur are being born in to this reality, growing up in this reality and accepting this reality as the "norm"."


Michael Rock, Chairman of Conservative Future comments on CF's support of the day:

"As CF National Chairman, my main objectives include increasing the appeal in what we do as an organisation and to increase our influence on political issues. I think it is essential that we become involved with the wider political community, particularly on important, prominent single issues.

"I hope, that Conservative Future's involvement in the protest goes some way in stimulating a faster and firmer international response. This is not the time for well intentioned words; Conservative Future is now involved in, and supports, decisive action."

www.conservativefuture.com
www.globefordarfur.org

Conservative Future backs Boris for Mayor

Conservative Future calls on young people from across London to back Boris for London Mayor and to join us in a 'Back Boris' National Campaign Day.

Throughout the London Mayoral campaign CF members have made a real contribution to it's success.

With the race entering the final stages Conservative Future have been asked to help make the final push to aid Boris in his fight with Ken "Leaving-soon". To that end we are going to be holding 2 National Days for CF members, from all over the country, to come and campaign alongside the man himself – come along and Back Boris!

.............................................................................

The first National Day will be run in a slightly different format; we will be campaigning in four areas April 19th* of London:

1) HILLINGDON (Herts & CF London North West members)
-- Meet Hillingdon tube station (10:30am)

2) HIGHGATE (CF London Uni members & CF members from outside London)
-- Meet Kentish Town tube station (10:00am)

3) HAVERING (CF London North East members)
-- Meet Hornchurch tube station (11:30am)

4) CROYDON CENTRAL (CF London South members)
-- Meet East Croydon train station (10:00am)

5) There is also an LGB Tory 'Back Boris' event:
-- BFI Southbank (11:00am)

BackBoris.com

Conservative Future calls on the Government to back 80% reduction in CO2 Emissions

The Climate Change Bill is set to be law by summer.

But it's still not strong enough

Come and make your voice heard

Climate Change Rally, London, 22nd April

When: Tue 22nd Apr, 7:30pm - 9pm

Where: Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ

Speakers:

Peter Ainsworth (Conservative Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary)

Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Energy, Food and Rural Affairs)

Hilary Benn (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Tony Juniper (Director of Friends of the Earth and representative of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition)

Chair: Anne McElvoy (Executive Editor of the Evening Standard)

Your help needed: - please do the following:

1. COME TO THE PUBLIC MEETING to show you want a stronger Climate Change Bill – it is free and no booking is required

2. BRING OTHERS (friends, family, neighbours, and colleagues) – it is crucial that Conservative Future send a clear message to the Government.

Do you fancy helping us to get rid of this Government?

Position: Political Intern

Salary: Volunteer - No salary.

Timing: Ongoing opportunities.

Details: Opportunities exist for undergraduates or graduates to undertake voluntary policy and political work experience in the Research Department at Conservative Campaign Headquarters. Successful applicants will assist staff researchers on projects, conduct research on political and policy issues and occasionally attend meetings with senior Conservative politicians.

Applicant requirements:

· Candidates should be graduates or equivalent
· Good analytical and research skills
· Strong communication skills
· A commitment to the Conservative Party and its values

Contact: If you are interested in such opportunities please send a CV and covering letter (including details of when you would be available to volunteer) to jobs@conservatives.com. Please put 'Policy and Political Work Experience' in the subject box of your email. We will endeavour to respond to every application received.

Website: www.conservatives.com (click on ‘jobs’)

We welcome applications from all sections of the community. We value diversity and appoint on merit.

CF action on Darfur

Download the flyer

Through out the election campaign, all candidates agreed that CF needed change. The healthiest debate centred about how to achieve this. I personally argued that we needed to engage with the wider political community and the new executive have already begun that process. Becoming an organisation that appeals to a broader range of political activists, and becoming more accessible is the first step towards rebuilding Conservative Future so that we can expand in a whole new direction.

To that end, we are pleased to announce that we are official supporters of “Day for Darfur 5”, a protest against the crisis in Darfur with particular focus on the affect that the situation is having on the children of Darfur.

When David Cameron visited the region last year, he did so because the humanitarian crisis is affecting millions of individuals and we should be doing more to alleviate the suffering. It is unacceptable to stand aside whilst government back militia attack innocent civilians.

We hope you can join us, Conservative Future and Andrew Mitchell MP, Shadow International Development Secretary, in London on Sunday, April 13th. For more information please contact Anastasia Beaumont-Bott on 07719797344

Michael Rock,
National Chairman, Conservative Future

Campaign North

Campaign North - making a difference in the North East



Thanks to Campaign North, three well-staffed Conservative Campaign Centres are now up and running in the North of England. Wendy Morton, our candidate for Tynemouth, introduces this short film about the regional campaigning operation in the North East.

Campaign North - making a difference in Yorkshire



Thanks to Campaign North, three well-staffed Conservative Party Campaign Centres are now up and running in the North of England. Zahid Iqbal, our candidate for Bradford West, introduces this short film about the regional campaigning operation in Yorkshire & the Humber.

Campaign North - making a difference in the North West



Thanks to Campaign North, three well-staffed Conservative Campaign Centres are now up and running in the North of England. Debi Jones, our candidate for Sefton Central, introduces this short film about the regional campaigning operation in the North West.

Want to be an Area Chairman?

Download an application form

The new executive are working hard on our plans for the year and one of our first priorities is to fill all the vacancies for Area Chairman roles. This position is going to become the most important role in our organisation. In future, the Area Chairman will take the lead on: organising National Days, organising regional meetings, supporting branches and providing feedback to the NME and CCHQ. The Area Chairman will spearhead CF, not the NME who are going to act as a support service and as facilitators.

We currently have around half of the Area Chairman positions filled. Our priority now is to get all the positions filled within one month so we have re-opened the application procedure for the Area Chairman roles. Please fill in an application form and email it to me (michael@rock4cf.com) by Monday 31st March.

Areas where candidates were not elected:

Cambridgeshire & Bedfordshire
Cleveland & Durham
Cumbria
Essex
Herefordshire & Shropshire
Kent
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Rutland
Lincolnshire
Norfolk & Suffolk
Northern Ireland
Sussex
Tyne and Wear and Northumberland
Wiltshire & Dorset
Warwickshire
Yorkshire North & East
Yorkshire South
Yorkshire West

The Area Chair role is both challenging and rewarded, this year particularly so. Nick Webb, one of our most experienced and successful AC's offers his view:

"I'm not going to sugarcoat it, there are moments of sheer frustration. However, when you overcome those challenges being an Area Chairman is rewarding and enjoyable. Seeing the membership numbers grow from four, to ten, to twenty and hopefully onwards shows your efforts have been worth it. You will see the enthusiasm among CF members to help the party and have a good time while they are at it. New friendships are formed and every now and again a new political career is kick-started."

We already have some vacancies that are contested but we will review every application we receive and judge each individual on their application form, which can be downloaded here.

Save our Post Offices

The Government's programme of Post Office closures is crazy - it means closing popular, successful and even profitable Post Offices. We're telling them to stop and think again.

Visit our Post Office campaign page

Boris Johnson: Its time to get rid of Ken Livingstone

Boris Johnson has laid out a series of policies to make London safer, improve public transport, and deliver greater value for money for taxpayers. Speaking at Spring Forum, he said it was time to get rid of Ken Livingstone, who he dubbed 'Mayor Leaving-soon'.

Help Boris Win