More on Scotland

Further to his rant and musings about the state of the Scottish Conservative Party and subsequently Scottish Conservative Future, TB had a wee chat with ABB. It was interesting to hear what a former Scottish CF player thought, having experienced both the inner workings of the two organisations.

Why isn't CFS given anywhere near the amount of attention CF receives?

Well firstly Scotland is a lot smaller. It is only one 10^th of the United Kingdom and relativity should always be noted in this, however that is not the bottom line. After staying in contact with numerous high ranking members of Conservative Future Scotland since departing for London last year, I am continuously told of the struggle to gain support from The Scottish Conservative Party itself. A part of me always feels that connection to Scottish politics, especially to Conservative Future Scotland and I am deeply concerned the problem is not CFS but rather The Scottish Conservative Party itself. Based on what I am continuously told by friends still up in Scotland, CFS receives no where near as much support from the central office as it should do.

CFS is arguably in a pretty poor state, what are the main problems?

The Scottish Conservative Party need to recognise who and where their next generation of voters and supporters are coming from, and start utilising that. It is my firm belief that if CFS was given more support from the central party up there, we would see more gains – much in the same way Conservative Future works down here in England. There are some incredible, ambitious and driven people in CFS who, like the rest of the Scottish Conservative Party, never want to give up fighting the constant lies of the SNP. They want to be out there campaigning, out there signing people up and out there fighting by elections. But when by-elections do come around, I am told by numerous people that they contact the Scottish Conservative Party and offer to help, but nobody ever gets back to them. The problem? Communication and teamwork. There is strength in numbers and I believe if the Scottish Conservatives were to take CFS more seriously, start listening to them rather than just relying on them to keep the university presence strong when freshers roll around each year, we might see some progress.

How do you feel the problems in CFS reflect the larger scale problems the Conservative party in Scotland faces?

One of the things I have always admired about the Scottish Conservative Party is how they never give up. In England we’re fighting the Lib Dems and Labour. In Scotland, they’re fighting Lib Dems, Labour and the SNP. I sometimes worry that perhaps complacency is looming on the horizon here in England because we know we can have it at the next general election – we’re so close to government we can already sense it. Of course, that’s a good thing, but complacency is never a threat in the Scottish Conservative Party. It just doesn’t exist – there is nothing to be complacent about. We’re fighting for everything up there – fighting Labour, the Lib Dems and the SNP. That fighting spirit is what I have always admired about the party in Scotland but I am worried that perhaps we are gradually starting to loose that spirit which has kept us alive for so long. That would be the worst thing. Nobody is denying it’s a long hard fight, but we simply cannot give up. “Give Up” should not even be a phrase used in politics – we are all here because of what we believe and that is something you should never give up on. That’s why it is so important that the Scottish Conservative Party recognise the importance of CFS. They are the young, the fresh, the new and the enthusiastic – the Scottish Conservatives need them now more than ever before. CFS could very well be the force that saves the Scottish Conservatives and leads us on to making the changes we have been fighting for in Scotland.

Surely it should just be bought under central CFUK control?

As much as I believe this to be a unionist party, I appreciate that in order to engage the Scottish electorate at the highest possible level, it is necessary to have two separate party boards; one for Westminster and one for Hollyrood. However, I am aware of a growing desire by some CFS members who have worked hard for their party, to move away from the Scottish Party and wish for CFS to come under the banner of CF, simply because they feel disillusioned with the way the party treats them. I can understand where such view points come from but am concerned such a move would create further division and cause yet more problems which ultimately help nobody and hinder the Scottish Conservative Party’s presence in Scottish Politics further. For this reason and to avoid this, I urge the Scottish Conservative Party to take CFS more seriously. CFS is the next generation and right now they are being ignored. If utilised properly, CFS could attract a whole new generation of Scottish Conservative voters. If ignored, we risk alienating a whole generation and thus creating a generational gap in the Scottish Conservative Party. The result would ultimately be the end of the Scottish Tories, something I am not willing to stand back and watch.

Murdo4Leader?

I have a great deal of time and respect for Murdo Fraser.

People say Scotland is lost cause and we should just let them get on with it, even if that means independence, why should party members in England care about what is going on in Scotland?

Because this is a unionist party and in a general election Scotland votes too. Traditional Scottish values of prudence, respect, personal responsibility and morality are exactly those of the Conservative Party – why shouldn’t we care about Scotland? There are still large areas of Scottish politics which fall under the control of Westminster – not Hollyrood – and for as long as that is the case we need to be there for Scotland. If we stop caring about Scotland, they might just stop caring about us come the general election.

TB is escorting ABB to the Scottish Conservatives Lunch at conference... Should get some tongues wagging...

Idiot spotting...

Spotting this pillock certainly made 5 hours on the M4 slightly more amusing.

Thank you to the person who emailed

this site

over... very funny and very true.

Number 15 is TB's favourite.

Something for the weekend...

Poor Darling

Maybe TB is going soft in his old age but he can't help but feel sorry for Darling. It's a new low for the man banned from most pubs in the country when he can't even order a second bottle of wine in a restaurant without being public rebuked by a waiter. You have to feel sorry the guy, especially given the position he is in...

Darling's

interview

in the Guardian today shows a different side of the man trapped in his own loyalty: "For Brown to repay his friend's loyalty by sacking him would be brutal - even Shakespearean. But then, politics can be like that. Darling is one of the most experienced politicians in the country. And yet, more than once, I find myself wondering how much of a political animal he really is."

Of all the characters in this unfolding tragedy you have to wonder when Darling will reach breaking point - he has taken the fall for Gordan's mistakes in the past and he continues to take the fall now and still his boss has the audacity to brief against him. The loyal friend and ally is being stamped and trodden on and you have to wonder if he will be a

Stamper

to Gordon's Urquhart?

A Howe moment from Darling and it's curtains for Gordo...

Campaigning, Conference and Wales...

TB is off to Wales for the weekend, never been before... not quite sure what to expect. Sadly he will be missing the

Tooting Campaign Day

but do go along and help Mark - 10:30 Saturday morning at Tooting Broadway Station - as ever your hard work will be well

rewarded

.

Tickets to the must attend event of conference will go on sale early next week. Keep the Tuesday night in Birmingham free from nine until the wee hours. TB's bash will include a high profile guest speaker, live music and a hell of a lot of booze...

Real booze unlike the normal warm glass of conference wine!

While on the topic of conference, did anyone else resent having already forked out an obscene sum of money for the pass, having to pay the ridiculous £3 carbon offsetting? It's not the money that is the issue it's the blatent hollow gesture politics that has to change. TB demands pictorial evidence of the tree that will be planted with that three quid.

Might post again tonight but weekend will be very quiet.

Business as usual Monday.

The fight back begins...

www.vpilf.com

has been registered...

Shame she has a slightly irratating voice...

Excellent News + VPILF!

McCain could have pissed on Obama's parade last night and released his

fantastic

VP choice during "The Ones" ascendancy but instead he released this:



Legend.


UPDATE: 16.23 - Congratulations to Mr Peterkin for coining the phrase VPILF:

After checking out

Miss Wasilla 1984

TB is inclined to agree...

Lib Dem lies...

Found these in a Facebook group, they are by a chap called Tim Fell...

"Fed up with hearing the Fib Dems crow about how many areas in Britain have no Conservative councillors.....maybe this will dispel the myth. The yellow on the left marks the local authorities with no Lib Dem councillors, and the one on the right does the same for the Conservatives. Twice as many for them as for us, and if you consider that in the highly rural areas of the celtic fringe Conservatives have a tradition of standing as independents it makes it even better for us!

So....what were you saying again Mr Clegg???"

Quite...

UPDATE: It has come to TB's attention that he just shamelessly ripped this story of

ABB's blog

... great minds etc

Toga...Toga...Toga...

One for TB's buddy

Shane

.

News from the North

Former President of Conservative Future Scotland Maurice Golden has been selected to fight for the Tories in the completely unwinnable Glenrothes by-election.

Maurice stood for Central Fife in the 2007 Scottish Parliamentary election and gained 2000 odd votes to the SNP's 10,000.

He must beat the Lib Dems to take third - a hurdle of some 2000 votes.


Having cut his teeth editing the Dundee Student Times, or "'Life in Dundee according to Maurice Golden" as it became "affectionately" known under his tenior, he then took over Dundee University Students Association. An impressive feat for any Tory, especially in Scotland.

TB has spoken to a fair few Calidonian co-conspirators today and the general consensus is the Party didn't exactly choose the most inspiring of candidates. The word dull came up more than once. Maurice was CF President in Scotland for three years and to be fair by the end of his time in office had made some enemies. TB imagines he will be hard pushed to get some of the older members of CFS, who remember the

cliquishness

of his last year or so in office to hit the streets for him.

CFS is very different from CF in England. One thing that binds the members in England is the prospect that we will more than likely be in government soon, or at least that is an achievable goal.

In Scotland things are very different.

The Conservatives won't be forming a government in Holyrood and there seems little to fight for. It's hard to unite the youth behind a banner that has the prospect of coming fourth. Because of this, little things like supposed cliquishness or bitchiness is taken so much more seriously instead of members looking to the bigger and brighter prospects of a successful campaign. Grudges are held in the quagmire of endless defeat.

The situation CFS and the wider Party in Scotland is in at the moment needs a massive kick up the arse and has been playing on TB's mind for a while now... Any Party that doesn't notice a hundred grand going walkies in in a pretty shoddy state.

Livingstone to work for mudering, corrupt, racist, anti-semetic communist dictator...

Got home late to discover this on the BBC:

Former London mayor Ken Livingstone is to work as a consultant for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

"Mr Livingstone, who has long been a supporter of Mr Chavez, will advise pro-government mayors in the capital Caracas on urban planning.

He said he was "proud and honoured" to be part of the city's transformation.

As mayor, Mr Livingstone struck a deal to swap cheap Venezuelan oil for city planning advice, but it was cancelled by his successor Boris Johnson.

After a meeting with Mr Chavez in Caracas on Wednesday, the former mayor said he was pleased that Venezuela would now get the "advice that we promised".

The BBC's James Ingham said the two men, who share left-wing political views, hugged each other like old friends."

TB is lost for printable words.

Guest Post 3 - Clare Hilley

Why CF is the future

For many young people the world of politics is viewed as archaic, out of date and uninviting. Years of spin, deception and deceit at the hands of the Labour Party has helped galvanise this view into the minds of a generation of young people.

From the horrific ten pence tax debacle, which slammed some of the poorest people in the country, to the stomach churning lies on Iraq, the Labour Party has caused catastrophic damage to the public perception of political life.

Mercifully, the Conservative Party is developing the remedy to the Labour sickness in the form of Conservative Future. Already the largest political movement in the UK attracting over 15,000 members, Conservative Future is leading the way as a modern and accountable vehicle for ambitious young people keen to get stuck into politics.

From campaign days up and down the country to late night social events, CF opens up a wealth of opportunities to young people looking to make a difference. The organisation offers a variety of diverse events from LGBTory to social action projects, whatever your interests you will find like-minded people here.

I first joined Conservative Future when I was fourteen years old and have been an active member ever since. During this time I have seen members come and go and political careers flourish as years of hard work and commitment to the cause pay off. I have made lifelong friends and learned much about policy, life and people, which has been invaluable to my personal development.

Conservative Future is the engine of the Conservative Party, producing and training some of the party’s brightest young stars. In no other organisation will you find young people so committed, so diverse and energetic ready to get out onto the doorsteps and spread the message.

Playing a key role in the election of Boris Johnson in London and the Crewe by-election, wherever they are needed CF activists loyally work - and work hard. Conservative Future is the key to winning marginal seats and the perfect way to show the public that life is better under Conservative Government.

In the 2005 election Conservative Future was the key to winning vital marginal seats. The extra leafleting and activism was the undoubtedly helped us win the extra votes.

We have come so far so quickly, but there is much more to be done. We need a centralised membership database, more recognition for outstanding campaigners and more attention and funding from the wider party.

Conservative Future is the home of some of the brightest thinkers on social action and the breeding ground for a generation of party leaders. We are in touch and up to speed with what this country wants in a Government.

But we are only effective when we are united as one.

So let’s pull together, forget our differences, work hard and kick this tired and ineffective Government out of Downing Street.

Let’s get out on the doorsteps and show the whole country that there is a better life waiting for them and that the future’s bright, the future’s blue.

TB interviewed...

TB was interviewed for the

YBF website:

"YBF tracked down Tory Bear – a prolific blogger on the CF scene – to find out what makes him (or her) tick. The Bear talks openly about what the blog aims to do, his (or her) relationship with CCHQ, his (or her) plans for the future and why he’d (or she’d) bring back fox hunting.

Tell us why you created the blog - what did you set out to do?

TB was bored of getting his regular hits of 14 readers a day and some of the best advice about blogging I’ve ever been given was find a niche - CF was lacking a regular blogger that had comedy, so that’s the direction I took my blog in! I also get frustrated with the careerists so it’s nice to bring them down a peg or two from time to time.

Why did you decide to be anonymous?

It was more a decision to write in character than to be anonymous. If you look at

The Devils Kitchen

,

Guido

or

Dizzy

you can see how effective this can be. The identity of Tory Bear also generated a lot of interest in the first few weeks that got people talking and ultimately drove up the traffic. Lets be honest though, it’s hardly anonymous…

Do you feel there was some kind of learning curve? Has the blog changed at all since you started it?

Like I never imagined, not just on the technical side but in terms of the blogsphere too. TB is trying new things every day and trying to rewrite the rule book in some ways. In terms of the blog changing, well people have said that it has calmed down a lot since the early notoriety or leaked documents. That isn’t necessarily a decision by me to tone it down but the fact is that people are a lot more wary of getting involved in a leak witch-hunt and seem to be a lot more guarded. There is a rumour going round that I got threatened by the Party Board, that’s just not true. If the worst that happens is a certain CCHQ official googleing my life and then sending it to other bloggers then I’m not exactly shaking in my boots.

Are you planning any other developments or changes to your blog?

Absolutely! The site is due to go under a significant renovation before conference - where I will be live blogging. Tory Bear is also throwing a party in Birmingham. More details on that soon. In term of long term goals and directions to take the blog in, I am looking to expand the focus from just CF to a broader look at the grassroots and coalition.

As well as the luxury of saying what you please, do you think a blogger has any responsibilities too?

With an influence of a readership that is made up of the public as well as party faithful, of course there is a certain amount of responsibility involved. Ultimately there is one enemy and that is Labour and TB doesn’t want to give them ammunition. However, that can’t stop CF needing a “critical friend” from time to time. I have to weigh up posts I make and any story I do put up that could be construed as negative, I believe has been in the interest of the members and fully sourced. I am yet to regret a post.

In terms of comments well it’s my sandpit, so my rules. My moderation policy is fairly random and if I find something tedious I won’t publish. Racism and homophobia as well as general abuse that isn’t obviously a joke is not allowed. People moan that I don’t publish there thousand word essays on the Common Agriculture Policy or why TB is “ruining CF” but if you don’t like it, start your own blog.

Tell us about your observations of CF today - how is it reacting to the rise of CF bloggers?

It’s not political enough. People back their mates at elections, candidates promise the world and rarely talk about their political beliefs. I want to see CF being the political force it once was. The party has shifted to the centre yet CF represents all of it’s voters under 30 - a formidable force if we were to start calling for the libertarian ideals to be listened to again!

The Tory Bear blog is I believe having the right effect, people are beginning to lighten up a bit and stop taking everything so seriously. Obviously there are still a few out there who whine about bloggers but they are normally the ones with the most to hide. The positive responses far outweigh the negatives that have been thrown my way, though the fact that CCHQ IP addresses top my hits, one computer in particular, makes me think that the powers that be are going to take a little more persuading.

Where can CF improve?

CF needs to take a good hard look in the mirror, if the members spent half as much time and half as much energy sweating over minuscule internal problems and instead focused that energy on campaigning we would be the formidable force that we once were. In terms of the direction we seem to be going in recent months, I think that any reforms of CF need to be done openly and under the watchful eye of the membership, who for some reason care deeply about these issues.

What do you think of the relationship between CF and YBF?

CF needs strong ties to all aspects of the broader coalition. I think it is fantastic that CF understands that YBF are at the forefront of activist training in this country and rather than trying to rival them, calling on them to work together instead. People moan about a potential conflict of interest that arises in having a senior CF figure working in a senior position at YBF but I can see very little harm in this as long as YBF remains neutral in internal elections. The coalition needs strengthening and the YBF relationship should be a model for CF to follow with the rest of the movement.

Do you have any thoughts on the next set of CF elections?

I hope there are another set of CF elections ; )

Joking apart they are a long way off and only time will tell who has the stamina to go all the way. People shouldn’t start campaigning yet, they will only exhaust themselves and people will get bored of them. If the elections are held next August the final months of the campaign will be very different from previously due to the fact the universities will all be on holiday. The whole dynamic of the get-out-and-meet-voters campaign will have to change.

What are your plans for the future?

TB struggles to think about his next meal let alone any long term plans… The blog has opened up some interesting opportunities though…

If you could repeal one law, which would it be?

Just one? Hunting Act 2004 if we are being specific. TB is big fan of legalising lots of things as well…

If you could make a law, what would it be?

Any person who pays tax in this country should have the vote. It’s disgusting that there are soldiers and sailors who are under 18 yet fighting for their country and paying tax but do not have the vote. I am not calling for the voting age to be lowered, there are a lot of 16, 18 and even 21 year olds who aren’t mature enough for a vote – but there should be no taxation without representation. Whatever your age, and only if you pay tax do you get the vote."

Interesting that the following line was the only one cut out:

"The potential for a split in CF over these reforms is very real, not necessarily because of the content of them but the way in which they are being imposed."

Press Release: If you go down to the beach today...

He walked bare-foot along the beach, paw-in-paw with his wife Mrs Bear, as temperatures soared.

Dressed in trendy shorts and a blue t-shirt, Tory Bear hardly drew a glance from the hundreds of holidaymakers enjoying the sun and sea as the summer began in earnest.

Talking of his shorts on a radio station last week, Tory Bear said; “I think Mrs Bear bought them; I think they’re quite nice. They’re Boden, that catalogue company. She said, ‘You need some shorts’, and she makes the major decisions, of course. They’re all right, aren’t they?”

An onlooker, impressed that the power couple looked so at home on the beach, said:

“It was great to see them having a normal family holiday. They looked so happy and relaxed, so different from the stage-managed photo-calls they often appear at. Tory Bear was having a go at body surfing and his wife enjoyed playing with the baby bears.”

Tory Bear certainly gave surfer dudes a run for their money. Trading his bike for a bodyboard it seems he’s in pretty good shape and doesn’t mind flexing his pecs.

### Ends ###

Guest Post 2 - Ed Kozak

Are you tired of politics these days? Tired of a New Labour that is old and stale? Or a Tory party that supports a neo-socialist like Obama, a party whose claims to be right wing can be called seriously into question? Maybe you are just fed up with the whole charade that is the national political scene? Well we were, and that is why we established the Edinburgh Institute. More than just a think tank, the transatlantic Edinburgh Institute is dedicated to the revival and protection of that once mighty concept: British Liberty. For too long governments on both sides of the Atlantic have trashed the very concept responsible for their existence. Whether it is the welfare state, income tax, health and safety, or even cannabis prohibition, these infringements are the very antithesis of protecting life, liberty, and estate.

Ah, life, liberty and estate! Remember those? We call them natural rights. A few hundred years ago they were important enough that protecting them resulted in regicide, regime change, and, in the American colonies, revolution. What about today? Today we live a daily existence that sees our rights trampled on. We’re told what we can or can’t do to our own bodies and where, the level of government spending is irresponsibly astronomical - which of course results in an obscene amount of taxation, and we have governments that would see the right of their own people to free speech traded in for the rights of foreigners to spread anti-western hate.

This is why we established the Edinburgh Institute. If we can remind not just the governments, but people on both sides of the Atlantic as well, where it is we come from, why the political systems are as they are, and why the American Founding Fathers and those responsible for organising the Glorious Revolution are turning in their graves wondering why we haven’t starting shooting back, then maybe we can begin to dismantle the oppressive nanny states and political correctness that plague western liberalism.

Right now the Edinburgh Institute is basically an idea. Yes it exists, and yes it is active. But if we want the Edinburgh Institute to make a difference, to start changing peoples’ minds across Great Britain and across the Atlantic, we are going to need your help. If you believe in our right to free speech you can help. If you believe in the right to control one’s own body you can help. If you believe in the free market, or legalising most drugs, or ending welfare, then you can help. The Edinburgh Institute needs volunteers to write policy, exposés on ideological enemies, politico-philosophical essays, and to do PR work. If you are a believer in freedom pure and simple, then please contact us, and help bring Liberty back to Britain.

Ed Kozak is the Policy Director of the Edinburgh Institute

Any one who is interested should drop TB and email and he will pass on your details.

The Book of Dave

Dylan Jones – Cameron on Cameron

Tory Bear has been lying on the beach sipping cocktails so haven’t seen how the weekend papers have treated it, but just finished reading

Cameron on Cameron

. It would be easy to attack it and can imagine what the more hardnosed critics will say - it isn’t probing enough and DC gets an easy ride from a clear fan etc etc but TB couldn’t help enjoy it.

The introduction sets you up for “The Book of Dave” and that is exactly what it is. The learned teachings and words of the golden child.

You budding Cameroons out there should instantly get a copy and learn the great chunks of pure Dave. Like the policy guide produced by the CRD for every general election, this book could easily be used as a dictionary of Cameron soundbites. The useful index at the back gives ease of access and the potential to learn a corking one liner on any subject you can think of, just it time for conference.

Joking apart the book takes you on the political journey from the miserable Ealing by-election to all change at Crewe. It is never a bad thing to pause and remember how far we have come as a party in that year and how close the shit was to hitting the fan this time last year. You wouldn’t believe it, if we hadn’t all just witnessed it. Jones is clearly a big fan of not only DC himself but the entire Cameron project and there are only one or two passages and comments in the entire three hundred and fifty pages of unlimited one on one access, which could be construed as negative.

Dave was grumpy one morning apparently.

Party faithful will lap it up freely but Tory Bear recommends you get a copy of this book for that friend who hasn’t come round yet to loving Dave or someone who claims he is a bit a bit of a fake… Yes it’s pure propaganda but at the end of the day you are left feeling just how good it could be with DC in No. 10.

You can get it, if you really want it here.

Blog Meme: What Were You Doing When...?

Hello from the beach... ah the wonders of a 3G dongle...

Miss me yet kids?

This little question thing has been buzzing around the internet today. TB was nominated and so duly provides…

Where was TB when...

Princess Diana's death - 31 August 1997
TB had just got back from holiday and landed at a very silent Gatwick. It was very disconcerting walking through a crowded but silent terminal.

Margaret Thatcher's resignation - 22 November 1990
TB was four so was probably in the playroom…

Have hazy memories of buying champagne in the grotty bar in student halls the day Blair finally named the day he would be going. That was a great night.

Attack on the Twin Towers - 11 September 2001
It was on a very windy rugby field doing Tuesday afternoon training and a guy notorious for making up stories was telling everyone that the Pentagon had been attacked. No one believed him it wasn’t until a couple of hours later that TB got to the car and to Radio 4…

England's World Cup Semi-Final v Germany - 4 July 1990
Again the years a showing… Football’s Coming Home was the first single TB ever bought though for Euro ’96 though.

President Kennedy's Assassination - 22 November 1963
Will have to ask Mummy Bear about that one…

TB nominates:

TheBlueGuerilla
Guido Fawkes
Tory Heaven
Shane Greer
Alexandra Swann

Conservative Liberty launches...

A few weeks ago TB discovered the beginnings of the relaunched Conservative Liberty blog...

The site has now gone live it seems.

Guest Post 1 - Christian May

Exclusive: Christian May on the CF Reforms

The Exec have been watching all sorts of comments fly around on various blogs concerning 'proposed reforms' to CF. Comments have varied from the mild ("who will stand for election?") to the extreme ("Rock is parachuting in his 12 best friends to run CF"). We have yet to see an accurate comment on the ideas we're working on. The reason for this is simple; we haven't proposed any changes yet. Michael stood for election on a very clear policy of regionlisation - a policy which I very quickly signed up to as I think it will sort out a lot of the nonsense in CF. Before I talk a little bit more about our ideas, let me make one thing perfectly clear: there will be no unelected appointments. I shall say that again for the slower ones amongst you: there will be no unelected appointments.

In a nutshell, our idea is this: CF will comprise of Branch Chairmen (elected) Regional Coordinators (elected) and a National Chairman (elected). Please note that none of these positions are appointments. The reason for this proposal (and I stress again that is is simply a proposal) is to make CF more effective at a local level and to increase its accountability. In replacing Area Chairs with regional Coordinators our aim is to remove the ambiguous "second layer" between Branch Chairs and the National Exec. We all know that a well run Branch often constitutes CF at its best. We also appreciate that there are many superb Area Chairs - and we think that they will function more effectively as Regional Coordinators, overseeing a larger area. Of course, if a collection of branches held an AGM and decided on the need for a figure in between themselves and the Regional Coordinator, then they could vote one in. However, this decision should be made at branch level. Again, it's about promoting accountability and grass root level effectiveness.

We anticipate that there will always be a few (largely anonymous) criticisms of this plan, but this is the 10th anniversary of CF and I think we should mark such a milestone by shaking things up a bit and giving more responsibility to the Branch chairs.

More details will be announced as and when this proposal is put to the Party. It might go ahead, it might not. Either way, your Exec are only ever working with the best interests of the members in mind, and we'd never undermine the democratic nature that is so highly valued within our organisation.

Bye Bye

Tory Bear is going on holiday.

There might be the odd guest blog post if you are lucky. Got a couple lined up over the next week and TB might even blog one day if it rains. Oh and look out for the interview TB just did, that will be published on

Tuesday.

Lots to look forward to in the next few weeks - There will be a big poll next week about the proposed reforms as well as this months NME ratings.

The site will be changing in the run up to conference and TB is even having a party...

Watch this space.