One of the great successes of the last two years has been Conservative progress in the northern England. The victory in Crewe and Nantwich follows local government successes across the north - including in Blackpool, Chester, South Ribble, Bury, Wakefield and North Tyneside. The renewal of the Conservative Party is a leading explanation for this progress but the Campaign North initiative also deserves enormous credit (as we have noted before):
- Funds raised in the north stay in the north.
- There are Shadow City Ministers in Sheffield, Leeds, Hull, Liverpool, Manchester, Tyneside, Wearside and Teesside.
- There has been a doubling of the professional staff in the North and the opening of new fully equipped campaign centres in Bradford, Salford and Newcastle.
- The Bradford Campaign Centre opened by Party Chairman, Caroline Spelman in September 2007, is the most modern and best equipped political campaigning facility outside of London.
- More visits to the north by David Cameron than any Conservative leader in modern times.
Lots of people deserve credit for Campaign North especially William Hague who has provided tireless leadership of the Northern Board and the
campaigning effort, but Michael Bates, Deputy Chairman of the Party
responsible for Campaign North, a Conservative MP from 1992 to 1997, and
former Paymaster General, pictured above (right), played an integral role in its formation and development. ConservativeHome learnt overnight - via the Downing Street website - that Michael has been put into the House of Lords...
David Cameron issued the following statement to ConservativeHome:
"I am delighted that Michael Bates will be joining the House of Lords. He will be an excellent member. He has a long record of public and political service. Most recently, he has worked hard to help re-establish the Conservative Party in the North of England. He will continue with that task in the months ahead. I look forward to working with him in Parliament."
And we received this from William Hague, Chairman of Campaign North:
"This is great news for the North of England and the Conservative Party, to both of which Michael Bates has already given outstanding service. He will be a strong voice in the House of Lords."
* Michael Bates' real title is yet to be announced!
A great appointment. Was anyone else enobled at the same time?
Posted by: CCHQ Spy | May 24, 2008 at 14:04
Michael Bates is a political giant universally respected across the Conservative Party. Michael has inspired me to seek public office and he is the most brilliant politician of his generation - sadly absent during 11 years in the wilderness. His hard work, determination, humility and willingness to serve others with dedication and without any regard to his own status is a brilliant example to every aspiring MP. Once again Michael will add so much to politics at Westminster. The Party has recognised one of its heroes! Well Done Lord Bates!
Posted by: John Glen | May 24, 2008 at 14:12
Phew, for a horrible moment there I thought it was Ken Bates
Sure fire way to reverse our progress in Leeds
Posted by: Paul D | May 24, 2008 at 14:40
Well done Michael! Very well deserved.
Posted by: Sally Roberts | May 24, 2008 at 15:00
A well deserved appointment.
However campaign north has seen less agents in winnable seats in the north, and lots of Agent Managers to set targets for others.
We have followed the path of Labour in the NHS, we have lots of managers and too few workers.
Posted by: will.b | May 24, 2008 at 15:15
Lord Bates will be an authentic voice for Conservatism in the north and north east of our country. This is a very proud day for Michael and his family and his many, many friends. I look forward to working with me old mate at Westminster once more as we prepare for a Conservative government
Posted by: gary streeter | May 24, 2008 at 15:16
Well deserved.
Posted by: Paul Kennedy | May 24, 2008 at 15:23
A worthy ennoblement. Michael Bates drove down to the Colne Valley to speak at our patrons dinner at very short notice, then drove back to tyneside. His is the sort of energy our party rejoices in, and I congratulate him. I also love his sense of humour as a fellow Geordie, joshing each other for coming from "posh" parts of County Durham!
Posted by: Annabel Herriott | May 24, 2008 at 16:38
Speaking as a "soft Southerner" I must say, Annabel, that having met you and other Geordies, the marvellously quirky and sometimes dry sense of humour is one of the finest assets of those from the North East combined with their grit and determination.
Posted by: Sally Roberts | May 24, 2008 at 17:14
I'm so pleased to hear Michael will be put into the House of Lords, he's a fantastic guy and has helped us so much in County Durham.
Congratulations Michael!!
Posted by: Nick Varley | May 24, 2008 at 17:28
Congratulations Michael,
You have been such a help, and voice of experience for us in Newcastle. Michael will be a splendid addition to the upper house.
Posted by: Barry Flux | May 24, 2008 at 18:27
Congratulations Michael!
Hopefully the work of Campaign North will be reflected in the next General Election.
Posted by: Peter Laws | May 24, 2008 at 19:27
Who would have ever thought that across Salford Labour would only outpoll us by only 400 votes, and across Wigan by only 8,000 votes?
This in large part down to our professional staffers and people like Michael Bates.
I for one commend his initiative.
Posted by: Cllr James Grundy | May 24, 2008 at 19:30
Well done to Michael for all his efforts. Great to see him and James (pictured) out and about helping to make the Crewe result what it was alongside all our other activists.
Fantastic News
Posted by: Joshua Eves | May 24, 2008 at 20:31
Michael Bates is a truly remarkable force in Conservative politics. I have known him since the 1980s and he brings the power of positive thinking and an enthusiastic energy to the campaigns he is involved with. Last year he ran the Sedgefield by-election campaign (in which I was the candidate). He was unflappable, imaginative, genuine, kind and worked every hour God sent. David Cameron was wise to appoint Michael to his role in the North and now he is to become a member of the House of Lords the North will always have the benefit of his voice in Parliament. Well done Michael and thank you for your marvellous support last year.
Posted by: Graham Robb | May 24, 2008 at 20:38
Well done , Michael, you have very worked very hard for the Conservative Party in the North East of England. Your elevation to the Lords is an honour well earned.
Posted by: Charles Heslop | May 24, 2008 at 21:14
This is superb news. I remember meeting Michael for the first time in 1992 and once met, never forgotton. He is a man of humility and tenacity and will be a massive asset to the Party at Westminster. COngratulations Michael!
Posted by: Julia Manning | May 24, 2008 at 22:15
Michael Bates is a true giant. Humility, compassion, passion and integrity, courage and leadership are all characteristics of the man who embodies so much of what the Conservative Party stands for. Congratulations Michael!
Posted by: Dominic Llewellyn | May 25, 2008 at 00:12
Congratulations to Michael Bates. This is very good news. I remember him holding Labour to a tiny swing in Langbaurgh (now Middlesbrough South & Cleveland East) in the 1991 by-election, and regaining it with a very good vote in 1992.
These gains in the urban north, particularly in 2008, show us something very different has finally arrived. Even in May 2007, when the Tories gained 911 seats nationally (far more than expected), the devil in the detail showed we were still struggling to get far enough ahead in many North West targets, for example.
This year, it has changed, and it looks, in quite a big way, even before Crewe and Nantwich.
Congratulations to all involved (and congratulations to Scotland and Wales for gains there aswell).
Posted by: Joe James Broughton | May 25, 2008 at 00:23
This is fantastice news! Michael is a HUGE asset to the Party.
Posted by: Stephen Crabb | May 25, 2008 at 01:47
Many Congratulations to Michael. I am really delighted by this news. Michael has worked tirelessly for the party in recent years originating and driving forward the Conservative North agenda and I can think of nobody who deserves the honour more. Lord Bates of Low Fell, Perhaps?
Posted by: Martin Callanan MEP | May 25, 2008 at 01:47
I like Michael a hell of a lot he is a great guy with a great sense of humour...Im sure he will find some of the rather over the top comments very amusing.
PS. As powerful as Lord Bates shall be he isnt in charge of Candidate Selection. Some of you need to ge a grip...
Posted by: Tim Banks | May 25, 2008 at 02:16
Great news.
As for the title,being one of Michaels first Constituency Officers in 92, I would of course suggest Lord Bates of Langbaurgh!
Posted by: cty cllr gareth dadd | May 25, 2008 at 07:12
Well done Michael. He wrote our northern masterplan and we're seeing some positive results. Now he's in the Lords he'll be able to work even harder!
Posted by: Graham Stuart MP | May 25, 2008 at 09:27
Michael Bates and Gary Streeter were very early pioneers of the formula that has revived the Conservative Party.
It is good to see at least of one of them get the recognition both deserve.
Posted by: Erasmus | May 25, 2008 at 13:42
Great news for Michael and the Party. I remember Michael from the YC days of the 1980s, he was someone who appeared to be respected by people from across the various factions that were so much in evidence at the time.
Posted by: Conserv-a-tory | May 25, 2008 at 23:59
Many congratulations to Michael. He truely deserves it!
As President of Durham University Conservative Association, Michael supported the North East and helped to build up CF. He helped us so much in Durham and has helped build up Conservatism in the North East and the whole of the North over the last few years.
Michael really does deserve it. Well done Lord Bates of the North!!
Ben Howlett
Former President 2006-7
Durham University Conservative Association
Posted by: Cllr. Ben Howlett | May 26, 2008 at 19:29
Congratulations to Michael from Sunderland on your appointment to the House of Lords, and thanks for all of the help and support you have given us
Posted by: Ian Cuthbert | May 27, 2008 at 11:03
Many congrats Michael, I'm sure you'll do County Durham proud in the HOL. Our recent success in the North can't be put down merely to one person, but if it could, then M W Bates would probably be my nomination.
Posted by: Joe Cookson | May 27, 2008 at 17:28
Well done Michael. I had hoped you might have defected to labour. One day I might be able to convert you. That said, you are a great guy and friend. We see too little of each other. Best wishes my lord. Regards
David Manning
Posted by: David Manning | May 28, 2008 at 11:50
I would like to reiterate all of what has been said by us 'Northerners'; Michael has lead Campaign North excellently. He is a very approachable and generous man and his appointment is well deserved. I just hope that it won't take him away from the North for too much of his time!
Congratulations Michael!
Posted by: Bethany Lightley | May 28, 2008 at 16:01
Congratulations Lord Bates. I cannot think of anyone else who deserves such an appointment more than you.
Lord Bates is indeed a sincere, intelligent and highly competent person. Yet with all these wonderful characteristics he is a man that always shows humility and a great sense of humour, and is always there to listen and assist others.
Congratulations again on your well deserved appointment. Wishing you the best of success in the House of Lords.
Mohammed Shareef
Posted by: Mohammed Shareef | June 23, 2008 at 05:32