Daryl's Five Pledges

Candidate for Chairman Daryl Williams has released details on his five main policies:

• Monthly meetings of the Exec in different regions followed by national event
• National team kept accountable by Q&A with members
• A campaign strategy devised by campaign committees
• Working with established conservative organisations
• Creating a CF Training College

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Monthly meetings of The National Executive in Each Region of England & Wales Followed by a National Event

I will hold monthly meetings of the CF National Management Executive and each meeting will be held in a different region of England and Wales.  Meetings will be held prior to a national event.  The National Executive will visit and host events in all regions, from the North East to the South West and Wales.

Core Principles

Throughout my involvement with Conservative Future there has been one complaint I have heard more than any other.  This complaint is our organisation is not doing enough to fairly represent members nationwide.  My policy is aimed to address this issue and to set a standard for future executives to follow.

On day one of a new term, I will make clear to my team the most important commitment I want from them is we travel once a month.  We will visit all ten regions of England and Wales.  As a team we will meet for our executive meetings prior to each national event.

National events will range from campaign days, conferences, social action and training days. 

How this will work in Practice

My first priority as National Chairman will be to assemble my team and develop a clear business plan.  We will plan our key activity a year in advance.  We will develop the business plan working alongside the Youth Development Manager and CCHQ.  Also, we will contact various organisations to ensure we compliment their work, such as the Northern Board and Campaign North. 

Once the plan is developed we will then cost our proposals and put a plan into action to fund our events.  We will be in a stronger position to seek funding from the Party and potential donors as we can present our strategy, making clear what finances we need, and how money will be spent.   

Whilst seeking financial support for our activity I will make the case for an expenses system.  This will be to assist members of the national team with travel and accommodation costs.

Policy Overview

• National team will   visit all ten regions of England and Wales
• Executive meetings   in each region, on a monthly basis, prior to a national event. 
• National event will   be held in each region, from campaign days, conferences, social action   and training days.
• Develop business   plan and plan key activity a year in advance. 
• Work out costs involved   for each event and develop action plan to seek required funds.
• The plan will be   developed working alongside the Youth Development Manager, CCHQ and   will discuss proposals with organisations such as the Northern Board. 
• I will make the   case for an expenses system to assist members of the national team with   travel and accommodation costs.

The National Team will be Accountable to its Members with Question and Answer Time

At various events across our nation will be time allotted for CF National Executive question and answer sessions. I will give members of Conservative Future the opportunity to question me as Chairman and the National Executive. You will have the power to hold us to account and ensure we are delivering on our commitments to you.

Core Principles

CF elections should not be the only time during the year when CF members can question the candidates who will go on to represent them as the national team.     I will create greater accountability by offering activists the opportunity to put direct questions to myself as Chairman and to the National Management Executive.

In order to enhance communications, provide better training opportunities and improve events, we need your feedback.  This will be your opportunity to raise issues of concern and help us improve the organisation for you.  Greater accountability requires a two way process where the national team can listen, learn and engage with our activists.

We will act upon issues raised giving members real power and influence.  You will have the opportunity to push for the changes you believe need to be made.

How this will work in Practice

As part of my first pledge, the national team will visit all ten regions of England and Wales, and host national events in each region.  A Q&A session will be added to the schedule during of after each national event.  For example, directly after a campaign day or during a training event.

The forum will last between 30mins to an hour and minutes will be taken.  If necessary, action points will be agreed by the team and minutes of the meeting will be published.  Members can then track the progress of the national team in dealing with issues of concern.

We will also take feedback on the forums themselves and trial different formats.  For example, if members prefer, we may publish agendas in advance and discuss specific issues and then take random questions afterwards.  The views of members matter and we will continue to review the format for Q&A sessions.      I want to get the format right and ensure members feel they have a real say.   

Policy Overview

• Time will be arranged   for Q&A sessions between CF members and the national team.
• Activists will have   the power to hold those they elect to account.
• Q&A sessions   will last between 30mins to an hour
• If necessary, action   points will be agreed by the team for follow up.
• Minutes of each   meeting will be published, allowing activists to track progress of the   national team in dealing with issues of concern.   
• We will listen to   members and revise the format of forums based on member opinions. 

A Clear Campaign Strategy Delivered Through Campaign Committees

Campaign days must follow a clear strategy that helps us win seats.  Activists will be empowered through Regional Campaign Committees.  I will work with Campaign Headquarters to agree a CF marginal seat strategy.  The strategy will be delivered through the committees ensuring our members are working with Campaign Directors, supporting the Party’s aims and maintaining a good network of communication.

Core Principles

The purpose of CF campaign activity is to help win elections and to have fun doing so.  There are only a limited number of national campaign days we can provide and it is important we empower local activists, providing them the tools needed to help win local seats. 

There are four main aims for the groups which are to encourage member involvement within Conservative Future.  To scrutinise previous campaign activity.  Motivate activists to assist in the planning of future campaign days and increase the active participation of CF members at future campaigns.

Activists will have the opportunity to assist in the planning and promotion of CF campaigns both locally and nationally. 

How this will work in Practice

A clear set of guidelines will be drafted by the national team outlining the aims and objectives of the committees.  We will work with CCHQ and take advice from Campaign Directors and Parliamentary Spokesman.  CF Activists will be invited to contribute their own submissions.  The committees will be run by local activists and your views will be listened to as we develop draft proposals. 

The Chairman of each Campaign Committee will effectively become the CF Campaign Co-ordinator for their region.  They will have the important task of acting as liaison between CF Student, Branch and Area Chairman and the National Executive.

All activists will be invited to get involved with the committee for their region.  It will provide a better network of communication between the National Executive, local activists and Campaign Directors.  It will also provide a network for activists to share advice and campaigning tips with each other. 

Policy Overview

• Activists empowered   through Regional Campaign Committees.
• Encourage member   involvement.
• To scrutinise previous   campaign activity.
• Motivate activists   to assist in planning of future campaign days.
• Increase active   participation of CF members at future campaigns.
• Members are involved   in planning and promotion of local and national CF campaigns.
• Clear guidelines   will be drawn up alongside CCHQ, Campaign Directors, Parliamentary Spokesman   with submissions invited from CF activists.
• Chairman of each   committee will be regarded as CF Regional Campaign Co-ordinator.
• Each committee is   open to all CF activists in their respective region.
• Provides network   of communication and opportunity to share campaigning tips.

Work Alongside well Established Organisations

We must move away from the belief we can do everything from the centre.  I will work with well established organisations and think tanks to ensure we are offering members new training opportunities and to discuss policy.

Core Principles

I am ambitious for Conservative Future and will set a clear direction to ensure we plan our activities well.  We also need to recognise the national organisation is run by a small team of volunteers and professionals.  The national team comprises of the post of Chairman, nine posts on the National Executive (including co-options), the Youth Development Manager and the two further professional appointments planned.  In total that is a team of thirteen people to set the direction of an organisation with 15,000 members.

There are many well established organisations that have a good record of working with young people, providing a focus on personal development, training and policy discussions.  I want to build closer co-operation with Conservative organisations and think tanks.

My aim is to provide new opportunities for young people to influence policy, learn new skills and be better equipped to become the politicians of tomorrow.   

How this will work in Practice

The national team will contact approved groups and build a stronger coalition between centre-right think takes and organisations.  For example, we will offer to work alongside leading think tanks instead of attempting to run policy days on our own.  We will also seek support from organisations who offer professional development such as media training.

Many young people are interested in policy.  I believe working with think tanks committed to influencing the future direction of the Party allows us to offer members a real voice.  If we can strengthen a coalition, we will all benefit from working together, instead of working independently of each other.

As National Chairman I will bring back an Annual Youth Convention.  The purpose of this conference will be to bring together Conservative leaning groups who work with young people, present our work to each other, communicate various activities and further improve the way we can support our Party. 

Policy Overview

• We need to recognise   CF is managed by a small team and we cannot do everything we want from   the centre. 
• A new coalition   will provide new opportunities for young people.
• Members will have   the opportunity to influence policy and learn new skills.
• The national team   will contact approved organisations to build a stronger coalition.
• A strong coalition   will benefit from working together and not independently.
• CF will organise   an Annual Youth Convention bringing together Conservative leaning groups   who work with young people.

Creation of CF Training College

I want to create a CF Training College that provides nation-wide events and seeks to support young councillors, aspiring candidates, activists, CF Branch and Area Chairman.  Youth politics is somewhere for young activists to cut their teeth     and I want to help prepare you for the future.

Core Principles

We need to better equip, encourage and support our activists at the grass roots of our organisation.  Many of our officers take on positions of responsibility with no prior experience of running branches, recruiting members, raising funds, promoting and running events.  I also want to develop support for newly elected councillors and aspiring young candidates. 

The CF Training College will aid activists by offering training from experienced activists and professionals.  We will organise regional seminars, workshops and training days.  I will discuss with the Party the possibility of creating a recognisable standard and develop a course for activists who will receive a certificate of training and development.

As well as training events and seminars, we will offer electronic documents that activists can either request by email, or download from an online resource centre.

How this will work in Practice

Many of our young activists move on from the organisation, without having the opportunity to share their experiences with others.  We will create a regional database of experienced activists who are willing to share tips and advice by giving seminars and running workshops.   

 

I will seek to build a coalition with well established organisations to offer members new training opportunities led by professionals.  Also, I will work with Party professionals, qualified agents and officials to help run training events. 

As well as events I will seek to ensure we offer electronic resources like a PDF version of a new branch handbook.  Examples of new resources will be guides for new Branch, Society and Area Chairman’s.   

Policy Overview

• We need to better   equip and encourage activists at the grass roots level.
• Offer support for   young councillors and aspiring candidates. 
• Many officers have   no prior experience of running branches and events.
• CF Training College   will offer training from experienced activists and professionals.
• Regional seminars,   workshops and training days.
• I will discuss the   possibility of creating a recognisable standard and develop a course   for activists who will receive a certificate of training and development.
• Electronic resources   including e-guides for new Branch, Society and Area Chairman.
• Regional database   of experienced activists willing to run seminars and workshops.
• Develop a coalition   with well established organisations to offer members new training opportunities   led by professionals.