STRG Elections 2008

Following the close of nominations for the post of Chairman of Student TRG (STRG), two candidates have been announced:

• Iain Martin (UCL)
• Helen Roberts (LSE)

In order to allow members of STRG to learn more about the candidates, their manifesto and brief background profile have been placed on this site which can be reached by clicking on the links above.

We invite members of the STRG and other supporters to question each candidate through the discussion facility. Please note that any abusive or otherwise unsuitable comments will be deleted by the site editor.

The ballot will be entirely electronic. All members of the STRG are able to vote and an email will be sent to each of them with full instructions and a unique voter code by Monday 17, March.

Votes must be cast by Monday 2, April.

If you believe you should have had an email and have not done so, please email the TRG by clicking here.Timothy Barnes, Chairman of the TRG, will act as returning officer for the election.

Tory Poll Leads - TRG Blog Exclusive!

Just thought I would add a little tempter to readers to nip out early tomorrow morning. I have just been told that a News of the World poll due out tomorrow will give the Tories a 9% poll over Labour and another in the Sunday Times, conducted post Budget, will show Labour a whopping 16% behind!

Certainly a nice end to Spring Forum this year!

David Davis on the TRG Website

For sometime now, we have been working to help TRG members outside of London and the South-East access more of what the TRG provides. We have begun the process of recording some of our more important events and making them available online.

Here you can watch the Rt Hon David Davis MP, Shadow Home Secretary, deliver one of the TRG’s flagship annual addresses, the Macmillan Lecture 2008. David introduces his thoughts as chair of the party’s Social Mobility Task Force.

Please comment here!

Drugs, Sport and Politics

The overlap between politics and sport usually covers support for major event bids, such as the Olympics and World Cup, and limited discussions of the value of sports sanctions against Zimbabwe under Mugabe or the USSR in 1980. I think there is another one that is in the news, today. Politicians should advocate a move to criminalise the use of performance enhancing drugs in sport.

The case of Dwain Chambers is a sad one for British athletics. Last night, Chambers completed his comeback with a silver-medal winning performance in the 60m at the World Indoor Championships, having completed his ban for the use of perfomance enhancing drugs, which he both admitted to and apologised for. Sadly, Chambers had also said that he had retired from the sport two years ago. This meant that he was not subjected to the regieme of random and out-of-season testing since that, which means we cannot be sure that he has not relapsed. There is no indication that he has, mind you, only that he has not been held under the same scrutiny as those he is competing against.

I no longer believe that a ban from the sport is enough of a punishment for taking drugs in sport.We too often refer to it as “cheating”, which suggests that the damage to the spirit of sport is the extent of the harm done.

Another important issue is that he acted in a way that not only cheated athletics fans and broke the rules of the game, he also materially damaged those he competed against who were denied prize money along with medals, titles and the sponsorship deals that can come with them. If it is right to imprison perpetrators of other “no harm” crimes, such as fraud and white-collar City crimes, then the same can be said here, too. 

By coincidence, US sprinter, Marion Jones, began her jail sentence, today. She was not imprisoned for taking drugs, but she did at least face a serious term for lying to investigators about using them. It is a start that the UK could learn from, but I believe the offence itself should be enough.

It has also emerged that it may be possible Chambers to challenge the life ban he still faces from the British Olympic Association, which means he cannot represent Britain at the Olympics. The defence that may be used is that the ban limits the ability for Chambers to carry out his trade. Good. He abused the position he was in and forfeited the right he had to practise his trade. Other criminals face lifetime bans for cheating the markets (insider-trading, for example) and the consequences are no less severe here than in finance cases. 

The law should not be changed, retrospectively, to allow for charges to be brought against Chambers. But they should be changed so that charges can be brought against those that come after him. If the UK wants to be sure that the utmost is being done to prevent drug abuse among British sportsmen and against those coming to the country in 2012, then we should ensure that they understand if they cheat and are caught, they will go to prison.

It is the only fair punishment for those that deprive others of what they rightly deserve. 

Rt Hon David Davis to Give Macmillan Lecture

This evening, Rt Hon David Davis, Shadow Home Secretary, will deliver the TRG’s annual Macmillan Lecture for 2008. His subject will be social mobility and he will make the point that social mobility is currently at its lowest point for many years and will suggest practical actions that an incoming Conservative government could take to take the issue.

We are interested in what you think about the problem of a lack of social mobility. Do you think it even exists? If so, what would do about it? If you attend the lecture this evening we would also like to know your thoughts on the event.

So, get posting here!

Events, My Dear Boy, Events

The news this morning is full of two extraordinary stories that underline the truth of Macmillan’s maxim.

The first was to be expected. The nationalisation (although the government is avoiding the term) of Northern Rock has provoked cries of “unfair competition” from other banks, howls from commentators about government dithering and fears of job losses running into thousands for which Labour will now be responsible. The problem of Northern Rock was not something that Brown saw coming, but it has shaken his administration as much as anything.

But the big story at this moment must be the announcement that Fidel Castro is to retire. This is an event that has been so long coming that its actual arrival is a surprise. There can be no doubt that this is a welcome development for the democratic world.  For Cuba, this will mean radical change. 70% of Cubans were born after the revolution and have never known any other leader. There is a hope that this might herald an era of better relations with the US (which is more likely if Obama wins than McCain) and real economic reform.

Let’s just hope that these events all turn out for the better in the long-run.

Catalogue of Errors by Labour

The timetable for business in the House of Commons this afternoon, made for distressing reading by anyone that cares about competence in government.

• 1530: Brown on EU summit
• 1630: Darling on lost discs
• 1730: Kelly on DFT data
• 1730: MPs grill HMRC bosses

 

The EU Summit was a joke. Brown looked like an imbecile. The best spin on it was that he changed his mind (for which you should read ‘u-turn’).

 

The next three items all deal with the government’s incompetence in overseeing large data projects.  There is no reason why all of these projects had to have gone wrong. They typically work in the private sector. The only common elements is the role of the Labour administration and it is to blame. Every time they commission the private sector to carry out a major piece of work, they put out a tender with a list of requirements. Bidders come forward and commit to the project, but the meddling tendency is such that the government then keeps changing what they want. As a result, at the end, you have systems that are chaotic and not thought through, that have run over budget and are based on flawed processes and compromise.

It is all truly amateur (with apologies to highly-skilled amateurs, everywhere).

 

An End for Zimbabwe

Along with many people in the UK, and many Tories in particular, I have deep feelings for the present situation in Zimbabwe. The passing, yesterday, of Ian Smith is not one that the country should mourn. His actions contributed greatly to the sense of agrievement that many Zimbabweans rightly feel, but which has unfortunately led to allowances for some of Mugabe’s behaviour.

A reminder, if it were needed, that Mugabe is a lunatic, comes with the news that he has announced that he is ready for a UK-led invasion of the country. Such action may, or may not, be a good idea, but it is certainly a long way from happening. Such ideas are useful only to Mugabe in finding an external enemy to focus the nation’s attention upon.

Fishing for Quotas

This morning, the BBC website and the Today Programme have highlighted the problem of fishermen who have to dump fish, caught in mixed fishing grounds, that is not in their quota. This damages fish stocks but does not help fishermen or consumers.

Those offering their opinions on what has to be done have already called for further reductions in the fishing fleets, which may devastate some local communities, and for the UK to introduce marine reserves, which might help stocks but would not prevent dumping of what is caught outside of those zones.

It may seem a bit of a different topic for the TRG, but I would like to start a conversation with a new suggestion. That would be to move the quotas from the level of the fishing boats to the fish markets themselves. All markets work more effectively when there is increased liquidity. In this case, if any fisherman can bring back any fish to a local market, there would be less thrown over board. However, once a local market had reached their quota, they would not pay the fishermen. This would not be a frequent occurrence as the fishermen already check prices from off shore and could check which market was full - or nearly full - before they left port and while at sea.

Anyone see anything wrong with that idea?

The TRG Campaigns in Lewes

Yesterday, a group of TRG members joined local activists in Lewes, Sussex, for a campaign day in support of local candidate, Jason Sugarman.

Jason is attempting to overturn the majority of 8,500 held by Liberal-Democrat Norman Baker MP and if effort and natural ability are any guide, Jason should pull through at the next election! Key local issues involve parking within Lewes and the planned development of an incinerator plant in Newhaven.

The day started with Jason and his team of local supporters running a very professional-stall in Lewes market while the rest of us began a leaflet drop, which we kept working at until darkness fell. By the end of the day we had distributed the best part of 10,000 leaflets across Lewes and Newhaven.

Many thanks to all of those that made us feel welcome in Lewes, in particular, local agent, Charlotte Beaupere and Carola Godman Law, Chairman of Lewes Conservative Association, and all of those that helped guide us, drive us around and for providing lunch to some hungry TRG members!

This was the first time that we have worked to support local candidates like this, but the TRG hopes to take part in more events of this kind in future. The only problem is that there are so many good candidates out there, it is hard to know where we should go!

Whatever else we do, we wish the best of luck to Jason and all of the members of Lewes Conservative Association - we have every confidence you will be able to deliver a superb new member of parliament at the next election!

Heaven or Hell for Tony Blair

There are plenty of email jokes about Tony Blair and co and most are not worth repeating, but I liked this one so I thought I would share it. Apologies to anyone that has seen it before… :0)

—

While on his morning walk, ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair falls over, has a heart attack and dies because the accident and emergency ward at his nearest hospital is too understaffed to treat him in time. So his soul arrives in Heaven and he is met by Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates.

“Welcome to Heaven,” says Saint Peter, “Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a politician around these parts, so we’re not sure what to do with you.”

“No problem, just let me in; I’m a good Christian; I’m a believer,” says the ex-PM.

Retiring MPs

A couple of MPs, many representing fairly good majorities, have planned for some time to retire over the next few years. One of the consequences of the resent hype around the possibility of a general election was that some of them had delayed any announcement about their intention to stand down just in case they needed to stand again at short notice.

This morning, however, one sign that Brown has now no option to call an early election is the announcement that one MP will not be standing again, Ann Widdecombe.

Ann is a great Member of Parliament and popular with the Conservative Party. She has a personality that stands out among her fellow MPs and will be missed after the next election, whenever it may be.

So, Did He Deliver?

As I outlined on Wednesday morning, in my view, David Cameron had one big task to perform in his close of conference speech. Did he deliver? By and large, yes, I think he did.

The press over the last two days seems to agree and the polls out today, particularly the Guardian which puts the Tories and Labour neck-and-neck, back this up.

What did he get right? Most things. The key element for me, along with the warm words about education, the NHS and defence, was the tone and the philosophy that ran through the speech. What I was hoping to see, and what I did see, was a philosophy coming through that could be summed up on the doorstep with some juicy phrases. Some of the ones I noted down during the speech included:

“We are the Party of One Nation” - This was obviously a particularly TRG-friendly phrase!

“The revolution of freedom from control” - Which works as a key principle that many will understand and relate to.

“Stop wasting money on pointless gimmicks” - Another with broad control that, coupled with the right examples, will be a winner.

“Why don’t you [Brown] go ahead and call that election and let the people decide!” - This has been one of the most consistent recent themes and has been repeated by every member of the party interviewed in the last few days. Brown now has a no-win choice on the election and the Tories seem to be very much on the up as a result.

“Britain will win” - Nice and simple closer, although not exactly Churchillian, it worked well for the cheers in the hall but will perhaps travel less well.

One phrase I did no hear from DC, but which is already being used widely, is “Safer, greener Britain”. This did not sit easily with me the first time that I heard it as I thought the terms made an odd couple. However, it is being repeated and seems to resonate, so there you go. The connecting them is one of the Conservative Party protecting the country from the biggest threats and that was a good part of DC’s speech, too.

Was there anything wrong with it? The “no-script” approach might have jarred with some, but a larger number probably appreciated it. There were some sections that seemed a bit long, but even then there are audiences for some policies that might have felt left out had they been shorter. Really, though, these things are quibbles and the real answer to the question is no, nothing much.

So, the Tories now have a spring in their step and a bounce in their polls. Whether either lasts remains to be seen, but I think this is an overall vote of support in the Cameron leadership.

From a TRG perspective, it is all to be welcomed, and our members are likely to be able to campaign with enthusiasm and confidence should Brown not lose his nerve over calling an election.

Levy on the Non-Domiciled

One of the most intriguing policies to come out this week was the £25,000 proposed levy on non-domiciled residents of the UK. There seemed to be a couple of different versions of how this might work reported in the press.

Is anyone out there capable of giving a more informed opinion of how it might work or how it may effect them?

What Does Cameron Have to Do, Today?

David Cameron will give his main address to the party conference just after 2 o’clock, this afternoon. What should he be aiming for? For me it is clear that there is one remaining task.

It has been a clear fact that the conference audience has been completely united this week. The ordinary party members, perhaps because they are focussed on a possible general election within a month, have all had two main questions they wanted answered this week.

The first requirement was for a clutch of policies that can be used by activists on the doorstep. This has been delivered. We can talk about new ideas for pensions, inheritance tax, charges on non-domicled residents and others. Excellent.

The second need is the one that needs to be met by Cameron, today. That need is for a fresh articulation of what the Conservative Party stands for. It means we need a form of words that can be repeated by activists across the country. It requires a series of ideas that can be easily communicated that explain the values that were used to choose those policies that have been adopted from among all the ideas generated by the review groups.

This week the new policies and the coherence among ordinary members has given the party a strong platform on which to build and much of it will be of comfort to One Nation Conservatives. I am confident that Cameron will deliver the rest, today, when the stakes are high.

Midnight Rumours

In the wee hours of this morning, the rumours running through the bar included a two-part theory on the events of today. The first part was that Gordon Brown would make surprise visit to Iraq to announce a cut in troop numbers. This happened this morning and has been welcomed by David Cameron.

The second part was that on his way back from Iraq, Brown might stop at Balmoral, where the Queen currently is, in order to ask for a disolution of Parliament. This rumour was taken seriously enough for some of the main conference speaker due on today to nip off to their rooms with their staff and work on second versions of their speeches to include rallying cries for an election.

We should know in the next few hours if the rumour mill can make it two out of two.

TRG and the State of the Union

To mark the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union, last night we held a debate on the state of the union, today. Our four speakers were each asked to put forward one idea for reforming the current arrangements and they were well placed to make suggestions. David Mundell MP spoke for Scotland, Nick Bourne AM for Wales, Dominic Grieve MP for England and Sir Malcolm Rifkind gave his unique perspective as a former Scottish Secretary now representing the very-English Kensington and Chelsea.

The audience vote at the end was perhaps not a surprise. They chose to adopt a policy of English votes for English laws through a grand comittee, sitting at Westminster and made up of English MPs.

And it was a good audience, numbering over 110 and they provided some great questions, too.

What was a surprise was the level of press interest. There were two film crews, a dozen print journalists that wanted to talk to members of the panel and Newsnight’s Michael Crick. Sadly, I did not managed to catch any news last night so I have no idea if anything was carried. If anyone saw us mentioned, please let me know and post a comment!

The event did at least make the footnotes on the BBC website with comments from Sir Malcolm and the Western Mail for Nick Bourne.

Conservatives and London 2012

I am sitting in a briefing from the Olympics organising groups with Lord Coe and Jonathon Edwards.

I have supprted the Olympics and bidding process for years. At one previous conference in Bournemouth some years ago a very angry Conservative member of the Greater London Assembly complained about the increase in their council tax as a result of the Olympics. At the time this was expected to be a total of £20 per year or so. The whingeing individual embodied the worst traits of negativity in the party. I offered to pay it their increase if that would lead to silence and it worked. My support was on the grounds that I was excited and proud to see the greatest sporting event in the world come to the greatest.

Fortunately, that negative strain of thought is not in evidence, today. There was a huge amount of support for the olympics and the concerns and questions are all about how things are being managed, and rightly so.

Hugh Robertson MP is also on the panel.He has done an excellent job of making sense of the numbers in the Olympics budget and making clear that the organisers have not gone over their original predictions. All of the reported ‘increases’ are not actually related to the games costs but are due to Gordon Brown’s attempts to blame Lord Coe for the money Brown wants to spend on regeneration.

Two Down, Two to Go

Last night the TRG hosted two events, back to back. First off, Lord Hurd introduced his new biography of Robert Peel. He made the case for Peel as the first man to really deliver on the idea of One Nation. Disraeli may have had the finer way with works but it was Peel that delivered on them, not least by cutting tariffs on corn, timber and other basic goods, so that the masses could afford bread and other basic necessities more easily.

Lord Hurd’s address was followed by a book-signing and judging by the faces on the Politico’s staff, they managed to sell a good few copies, too!

We moved smoothly (!) from book-signing to the TRG-Mainstream reception. This was another well attended event with plenty of MP’s, MEP’s, businessmen, academics and ordinary memebers in attendence. The guest of honour was Oliver Letwin MP and Damian Green hosted the event. Oliver offered some insights into the policy announcements we can expect to hear this week. This is a crucial time for policies in the party and we will have to wait to see how this plays out.

It was also a joy, given previous experiences of recent years, to see that there were only a few people still in need of passes on the first night. The organisation of this conference does seem to have moved on somewhat, which is certainly welcome!

Thanks, as ever, to Clare and Tim C for putting these together. This was a good start for TRG@Conference 2007!

One final note… It looks like posts sent from my phone have slightly different formatting to the normal ones. Apologies for that. We will tidy those up when we can.

TRG@Conference 2007

As the Conservative Party Conference opens in Blackpool, today, I find myself flicking through the official handbook. It has the complete listing of main hall and fringe events. One name that keeps coming up is that of David Willets MP. He seems to have the most hectic schedule of any speaker at the fringe, this year. If you think anyone else is doing more, then let us know.

The TRG’s own programme for conference looks pretty impressive and I should stress that I don’t have much to do with organising these things, that is mainly down to Tim Crockford, our events committee chair, and Clare Whelan, our National Director, so thanks (in advance!) to both of them.

We are hosting “4 Days, 4 Events”, with speakers including Lord Hurt, Oliver Letwin, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Damian Green, David Mudell, Sayeeda Warsi, Nick Bourne, Dominic Grieve and others. It should all be informative and, hopefully, a lot of fun.  As things develop, we will try and get some things posted on this blog to offer the TRG’s perspective on the conference as it unfolds!