Conservative Future
Encyclopedia
Conservative Future, abbreviated to CF, is the youth movement of the Conservative Party
in the United Kingdom
for members aged up to 30 years old.
Founded in 1998, Conservative Future is the largest political organisation on British campuses. Led by chairman Ben Howlett, the organisation has increased its membership by one-third to 20,000 in the past two and a half years.
Conservative Future only currently organises in England
, Wales
, and Northern Ireland
. Conservative Future Scotland
is the autonomous sister organisation of CF in Scotland
. Internationally, Conservative Future participates in the centre-right
International Young Democrat Union
.
, the Conservative student organisation Conservative Collegiate Forum
, and the National Association of Conservative Graduates into one organisation. Although the fusion broadened the organisation beyond the 5,000 then-members of Conservative Students, the creation marked a break with the preceding policy of not contesting National Union of Students elections. The first national chairman was the last head of Conservative Graduates, Donal Blaney, followed by Gavin Megaw, who had been the chairman of Conservative Students in its last year of existence.
At its launch, however, CF's membership continued to fall, to a low of 3,000. Over the following ten years, this increased fivefold, making it bigger than Young Labour
and Liberal Youth put together. The membership increased by 150% in the months leading up to the 2001 general election
, hitting 10,000. In 2002, Conservative Future gained two positions on the national executive committee of the National Union of Students, marking their first return in seven years. This was followed up by a national tour of universities, called 'Politics Unplugged', which involved ten Shadow Cabinet members and was aimed at making politicians more approachable. CF gained further traction in 2003 and 2004, after it was announced that the party announced it would scrap university tuition fees
. In 2004 alone, membership rose by 3,000, but stagnated at 15,000 members until the election of David Cameron
as party leader.
Cameron's election was seen to be emblematic of a change of Conservative Future's image to 'cool', replacing the symbolism of the 'Tory boy' stereotype of previous years. This occurred most dramatically from 2006 onwards, particularly in northern England
. Described by Geordie Greig
as 'counter culture
', this change is ascribed to 'Saatchi-isation', named for former Party Chairman Maurice Saatchi
, and ideological alignment to the so-called 'Notting Hill Set
' of the party leadership.
The election of Michael Rock as national chairman in 2008 was seen to mark another upward swing in the success of the organisation, including the growth of CF membership by a third, to 20,000. It has also marked a period of better media management, and the disappearance of 'heartless right wing ideology' in favour of a detoxified brand. There is a perception that Conservative Future is more in line with the ideology of the party leadership than it had been previously, or than Young Labour
are with its party's
leadership, but are notably more socially liberal
. In 2010, Ben Howlett was elected as the new national chairman, with a less than 1% turnout.
Conservative Future also plays an important role in the party's campaigning. Described as the Conservative Party's 'shock troops', CF made a major contribution to the parliamentary by-election
victories in Crewe and Nantwich in 2008
and Norwich North in 2009
. They thought they were significantly more numerous, visible, and active than Labour's young supporters in the 2008 London mayoral election
, in which young voters were one of the key demographics of Boris Johnson
's vote. Michael Rock said that one of CF's virtue is being able to take part in stunts and activities that older members can't. A notable contingent from Conservative Future went to the United States to campaign for John McCain
in the 2008 presidential election
.
Conservative Future is an example of a hybrid university and town branch. Some County areas operate, in effect, as one large branch, so that their members have many more opportunities to get involved.
The National Executive currently is;
Elections are currently taking place for the CF Executive.
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
for members aged up to 30 years old.
Founded in 1998, Conservative Future is the largest political organisation on British campuses. Led by chairman Ben Howlett, the organisation has increased its membership by one-third to 20,000 in the past two and a half years.
Conservative Future only currently organises in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. Conservative Future Scotland
Conservative Future Scotland
Conservative Future Scotland is the youth wing of the Scottish Conservative Party.The organisation formed in early 2005 by the merger of the Scottish Young Conservatives and the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Students group, a process which had happened with its sister organisation in the...
is the autonomous sister organisation of CF in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Internationally, Conservative Future participates in the centre-right
Centre-right
The centre-right or center-right is a political term commonly used to describe or denote individuals, political parties, or organizations whose views stretch from the centre to the right on the left-right spectrum, excluding far right stances. Centre-right can also describe a coalition of centrist...
International Young Democrat Union
International Young Democrat Union
The International Young Democrat Union is an international grouping of centre-right political youth organisations, encompassing conservative, classical liberal, and Christian democratic traditions. It is the youth wing of the International Democrat Union , which brings together centre-right...
.
History
Conservative Future was formed on 7 October 1998 by a merger of the Young ConservativesYoung Conservatives (UK)
The Young Conservatives was the youth wing of the United Kingdom's Conservative Party until the organisation was replaced in 1998 by Conservative Future.-Origins:...
, the Conservative student organisation Conservative Collegiate Forum
Conservative Collegiate Forum
The Conservative Collegiate Forum was the British Conservative Party's national student organisation from 1986 to 1998.It was the successor to the Federation of Conservative Students...
, and the National Association of Conservative Graduates into one organisation. Although the fusion broadened the organisation beyond the 5,000 then-members of Conservative Students, the creation marked a break with the preceding policy of not contesting National Union of Students elections. The first national chairman was the last head of Conservative Graduates, Donal Blaney, followed by Gavin Megaw, who had been the chairman of Conservative Students in its last year of existence.
At its launch, however, CF's membership continued to fall, to a low of 3,000. Over the following ten years, this increased fivefold, making it bigger than Young Labour
Young Labour (United Kingdom)
Young Labour is the youth section of the British Labour Party. It is open to all Labour members between the ages of 15 and 26, and membership is automatic for those between 15 and 27 joining the Labour Party ....
and Liberal Youth put together. The membership increased by 150% in the months leading up to the 2001 general election
United Kingdom general election, 2001
The United Kingdom general election, 2001 was held on Thursday 7 June 2001 to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. It was dubbed "the quiet landslide" by the media, as the Labour Party was re-elected with another landslide result and only suffered a net loss of 6 seats...
, hitting 10,000. In 2002, Conservative Future gained two positions on the national executive committee of the National Union of Students, marking their first return in seven years. This was followed up by a national tour of universities, called 'Politics Unplugged', which involved ten Shadow Cabinet members and was aimed at making politicians more approachable. CF gained further traction in 2003 and 2004, after it was announced that the party announced it would scrap university tuition fees
Top-up fees
Tuition fees were first introduced across the entire United Kingdom in September 1998 as a means of funding tuition to undergraduate and postgraduate certificate students at universities, with students being required to pay up to £1,000 a year for tuition...
. In 2004 alone, membership rose by 3,000, but stagnated at 15,000 members until the election of David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
as party leader.
Cameron's election was seen to be emblematic of a change of Conservative Future's image to 'cool', replacing the symbolism of the 'Tory boy' stereotype of previous years. This occurred most dramatically from 2006 onwards, particularly in northern England
Northern England
Northern England, also known as the North of England, the North or the North Country, is a cultural region of England. It is not an official government region, but rather an informal amalgamation of counties. The southern extent of the region is roughly the River Trent, while the North is bordered...
. Described by Geordie Greig
Geordie Greig
Geordie Greig is a British journalist and newspaper editor. He is the editor of the Evening Standard newspaper. He attended Eton College and St Peter's College, Oxford.-Journalism career:...
as 'counter culture
Counterculture
Counterculture is a sociological term used to describe the values and norms of behavior of a cultural group, or subculture, that run counter to those of the social mainstream of the day, the cultural equivalent of political opposition. Counterculture can also be described as a group whose behavior...
', this change is ascribed to 'Saatchi-isation', named for former Party Chairman Maurice Saatchi
Maurice Saatchi, Baron Saatchi
Maurice Nathan Saatchi, Baron Saatchi is the co-founder, with his brother Charles, of the advertising agencies Saatchi and Saatchi and M&C Saatchi, where he currently serves as Executive Director.- Early life :...
, and ideological alignment to the so-called 'Notting Hill Set
Notting Hill Set
The Notting Hill Set is an informal group of young figures in prominent leadership positions in the Conservative Party, or close advisory positions around the current party leader and Prime Minister, David Cameron....
' of the party leadership.
The election of Michael Rock as national chairman in 2008 was seen to mark another upward swing in the success of the organisation, including the growth of CF membership by a third, to 20,000. It has also marked a period of better media management, and the disappearance of 'heartless right wing ideology' in favour of a detoxified brand. There is a perception that Conservative Future is more in line with the ideology of the party leadership than it had been previously, or than Young Labour
Young Labour
Young Labour can refer to three youth organizations of Labour Parties.*Young Labour , youth wing of the Labour Party*Young Labour , youth wing of the New Zealand Labour Party...
are with its party's
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
leadership, but are notably more socially liberal
Classical liberalism
Classical liberalism is the philosophy committed to the ideal of limited government, constitutionalism, rule of law, due process, and liberty of individuals including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and free markets....
. In 2010, Ben Howlett was elected as the new national chairman, with a less than 1% turnout.
Purpose
CF's purpose is to encourage Conservative Party values and assist in local and general elections. Conservative Future is aided in its aims by Members of Parliament (MPs) and Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs) with visits to branches. They participate in lectures, debates and many more activities. Many members of Conservative Future branches often go on to contest local and national elections, and the organisation as a whole is increasingly turning to the internet to attract new active members.Conservative Future also plays an important role in the party's campaigning. Described as the Conservative Party's 'shock troops', CF made a major contribution to the parliamentary by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
victories in Crewe and Nantwich in 2008
Crewe and Nantwich by-election, 2008
The Crewe and Nantwich by-election, 2008 was a parliamentary by-election held on 22 May 2008, for the British House of Commons constituency of Crewe and Nantwich, in Cheshire, England...
and Norwich North in 2009
Norwich North by-election, 2009
The 2009 Norwich North by-election was a by-election for the United Kingdom Parliament's House of Commons constituency of Norwich North. The by-election took place due to the resignation of Ian Gibson after being banned from standing as a Labour candidate for the next general election...
. They thought they were significantly more numerous, visible, and active than Labour's young supporters in the 2008 London mayoral election
London mayoral election, 2008
The London mayoral election, 2008 for the office of Mayor of London was held on 1 May 2008 and was won by Conservative Party candidate Boris Johnson....
, in which young voters were one of the key demographics of Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British journalist and Conservative Party politician, who has been the elected Mayor of London since 2008...
's vote. Michael Rock said that one of CF's virtue is being able to take part in stunts and activities that older members can't. A notable contingent from Conservative Future went to the United States to campaign for John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
in the 2008 presidential election
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
.
Branches
Conservative Future branches can vary in structure. It has branches at most British universities, but also has a number of branches affiliated with city and town associations. These branches aim to attract members from the non-student population. However, some branches are now bringing together both types of organisation. Newcastle-under-Lyme and Keele UniversityKeele University
Keele University is a campus university near Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, England. Founded in 1949 as an experimental college dedicated to a broad curriculum and interdisciplinary study, Keele is most notable for pioneering the dual honours degree in Britain...
Conservative Future is an example of a hybrid university and town branch. Some County areas operate, in effect, as one large branch, so that their members have many more opportunities to get involved.
National Executive
Conservative Future is run by a National Team, elected annually, to represent the membership and to implement its aims and objectives. The chairman, currently Ben Howlett, is supported by six other members of the National Management Executive, with the option to co-opt three further members.The National Executive currently is;
- National Chairman: Ben Howlett
- Deputy National Chairman (Political): Alexandra Swann
- Deputy National Chairman (Membership): Cllr. Clare George Hilley
- Best Practice Officer: James Deighton
- National Campaigns Director: Patrick Sullivan
- Campaign Co-ordinator: Serene John-Richards
- Campaign Co-ordinator (Student Life): Peter Smallwood
Elections are currently taking place for the CF Executive.
Regional Chairmen
Regional Chairmen co-ordinate CF Activity in their Areas and are in charge of a Regional Execuitve. The Current Regional Chairmen for each Region are; (Elections are currently being held in all regions except Yorkshire and Humberside and the East Midlands)- David Bonner – North West
- Kevin O’Neill – North East
- Sarah Nazer – Yorkshire and Humberside
- Dan Horrocks – West Midlands
- Thomas Turrell – East Midlands (James Poland is Regional Chairman-elect, assumes Office on 01/01/2012))
- Ben Corbridge – South West
- Nicolas Clark – London
- Ranil Jayawardena – South East
- Grant Tucker – Wales
- Augustine Chipungu - Eastern
- Matthew Robinson - Northern Ireland
List of chairmen
- Donal Blaney (1998–1999)
- Gavin Megaw (1999–2000)
- Tom Bursnall (2000)
- Hannah Parker (2001–2002)
- Justin Tomlinson (2002–2003)
- Paul Bristow (2003–2005)
- Nick Vaughan (2005–2006)
- Mark Clarke (2006–2008) (one, extended, term)
- Michael Rock (2008–2010) (one, extended, term)
- Ben Howlett (2010 – Incumbent)