Why Karen Allen is standing for NME

Karen Allen, candidate for NME, explains his motivations as part of this year's Why am I standing series.

Having grown up in the Labour heartlands of the North East of England, in the only constituency in the country, which has never been Conservative, many people asked me why am I a conservative and what my motivations are? Then, working in the City and living in East London people have continued to ask me why I am a Conservative, but also querying why am I bothered to be involved with politics at all. The answer I would give is that when you passionately believe in something, in my case being enterprise, choice and democracy, you want to engage with likeminded people and you want to do anything possible to make sure you live in a country run by those principles. We do not live in that country now, the nationalisation of Northern Rock being yet another example of incompetence and control, but it has further increased my motivation to working with the Conservative Party to ensure we return to power at next Government.

I have been involved with CF for the last four years. I am an incumbent NME member who holds the Working Life portfolio. Over the year I have served I have tried to organise a variety of events to attract new members and to keep the existing membership engaged. I have acted as a focal point for Working Life enquiries nationally and put together a manual on “Setting Up a Working Life Branch.” Things are really going from strength to strength and we are in the process of setting up a sub committee comprised of individuals from across the country to organise events and to ensure new branches we set up nationally.

I need another year on the NME to see through some of the initiatives I have started and to commence on new ideas I have to engage new members in the City and across the country. I have learned a great deal this year and feel I can truly hit the ground running upon re-election. Although the CF NME had a good year this year, there are of course areas to improve and advances we can make. I am particularly keen to see increased transparency; in terms of reporting and to see more effective use of NME members’ time, particularly in terms of ensuring the team is properly managed and sub committees are encouraged where ever possible.

As we lead up to a General Election in 2009 or 2010, we need to make sure CF is ready and we have sound support in every marginal seat. The foundations we can continue laying over the next year could be fundamental to campaigning teams across the country.

If you would like to talk further with me please do not hesitate to email or call me, as I would be keen to answer any questions you may have or to provide any clarity to any of the outline ideas I have mentioned.

Comments

[Robert Halfon]

Karen Allen is an excellent and active CF member. She is also decent and passionate about helping Conservatives. Last year, she assisted me considerably in Harlow, helping to set up a CF branch. Through the efforts of Karen and others we now have some new younger members who are actively involved in supporting my campaign as Harlow PPC. If I had a vote, I would give her my strong support.

[Babe Magnet]

After reading all of the presentations from the CF NME candidates thus far, Karen has been the only one to produce anything vaguely sensible and coherent.

At least she adds some intellectual rigour as to why she actually wants to be re-elected rather than the usual monotonous drivel of wanting to 'reach out' and have a 'better communication' - whatever all of that means.

We need somebody who is connected in the City to run the working life programme as well as attracting those from around the country who are aren't students and its clear Karen is perfectly placed.

Good luck, Karen....

[James Cleverly]

Karen worked very hard with us in Lewisham during the general election and local government elections.

She has demonstrated a huge amount of energy and commitment and I'm glad she is seeking re-election. I strongly recommend you to support her.

[Joe Gibson]

What are your actual plans for the North East of England though? How will you address the Labour domination that we suffer (for want of a better word) from here?

[Karen Allen]

Joe, the North East of England and particularly Tyneside is very high on my agenda for next year. I will be organising campaign teams around Tyneside for later in this year and meeting with people at Spring Forum in Gateshead to discuss further. See you at the Sage?