Friday 21 November 2008
A personal take on the selection of Robert Jenkins
Danny Worley
Tuesday 18 November 2008
We're Back!
It's been a while but with the brand new semester well under-way (and essays are looming!) it's time to provoke some debate. So this week's question is:
"With the recent election of Robert Jenrick as PPC for Newcastle-Under-Lyme, how did you feel being part of the selection process? And what do you think we need to do to beat Paul Farrelly in the run up to the next General Election?"
Thoughts?
Friday 18 January 2008
NME Events
Friday 25th January 2008 – 8:00pm
Michael Rock – NME chairman candidate – will be attending our usual Future Friday meeting. There will be a Q & A session after our meeting to allow people to ask questions about his ideas, policies and beliefs as he attempts to win over the NKCF cohort. - Conservative Future members at other branches are welcome!
Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=9551789523
Don’t forget to book your place by signing up on Facebook.
If you have any questions, or if you would like to visit us here in Newcastle-under-Lyme, please get in touch with our Deputy Chairman (Political), Matthew Jones – political@newcastlecf.co.uk.
Friday 4 January 2008
The Dinner Party
Over the past few weeks (and indeed the next few weeks coming up), Channel 4 are slowly releasing their archives of comedy, documentaries and drama to the world for free. All through a nifty little program called 4oD. One of these programmes is called The Dinner Party, a programme made as part of the ‘Cutting Edge’ series by a film-maker called Paul Watson. It’s 1997, on a cold night in East Anglia. The cast? A group of Conservative voters, contemplating the prospect of the end of an 18-year-old Conservative government. Set in the comfortable surroundings of a well-furnished candlelit dining room, the group touch upon the topics of the day.
What amused me whilst watching this programme was not the nature of the comments made by a few of the guests. Not the fact that you couldn’t actually broadcast some of the things said any more. Nor the fact that a couple of the guests were rather entertainingly rude. It was the fact that the issues being discussed were rather the same as the issues we’re talking about right now.
Immigration. Education. Sleaze. Things don’t really change, do they? Should we be placing limits on how many people are coming into the country? Can we really trust a new government to make real and significant improvements in education? What part do private schools play in today’s society? What is the effect of sleaze on a government and is it right for them to get away with things?
The guests are outspoken, the wine is flowing and the discussion is relevant. Watch it, you will not be disappointed.
Click here to download 4oD – www.channel4.com/4od.
Thursday 20 December 2007
Celebrity Cabinet
Sky News has released the results of their poll today on which celebrities you’d like to see in the Cabinet. Surprisingly, Sir David Attenborough topped the list as Prime Minister, with Jamie Oliver nestling in as Health Secretary. 2,226 responded, and the winners are:
Prime Minister: Sir David Attenborough
Chancellor: Carol Vorderman
Foreign Secretary: Sir Michael Palin
Justice Secretary: Robbie Coltrane
Home Secretary: Judge John Deed (Martin Shaw)
Defence Secretary: Andy McNab (ex-SAS/novelist)
Health Secretary: Jamie Oliver
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Nigella Lawson
Department of Trade and Industry: Sir Alan Sugar
Minister for Women: Jo Brand
Work and Pensions Minister: Victor Meldrew (Richard Wilson)
Secretary of State for Transport: Jeremy Clarkson
Communities Secretary: Sir Bob Geldof
Chief Whip: Simon Cowell
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families: Supernanny (Jo Frost)
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport: Steve Redgrave
Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills: Prof. Stephen Hawking
What do you think? Jeremy Clarkson for PM? Maragaret Thatcher for Pensions? Or how about Rob Brydon representing the Welsh? Let us know by leaving a comment.
Matthew Jones
Deputy Chairman (Political), NKCF
Monday 17 December 2007
Staffordshire University Caves To Conservative Pressure
Conservative Future will be on the University campus in Stafford on 11th February, and Stoke-on-Trent campus on 12th February, promoting the Conservative Party and youth politics, as well as inviting students to join the Party.
This is a really welcome decision, and thankfully the Students Union have agreed to hold the 'Who's Speaking For You?' event in February (originally promised for the first semester) after much pressure from CF over the past 6 months, and extensive press coverage. However, it is very disappointing that it has taken this long for the University and Students Union to understand the importance of political freedom and democracy to Staffordshire students.
There is however disappointing news from the University that accompanies this success. In a written statement from the Students Union they state "We ask that you bear in mind that this invitation onto campus is to attend the fair and Question Time events and that canvassing on areas of the campus outside these events is not permitted."
This is extremely disappointing. Although we have made a breakthrough, Staffordshire University Students Union, presumably supported by the University, is still banning legitimate political activity and freedom on the campus. A campus where many students are resident, and therefore entitled to vote. Restricting political activity at all times except these two days is still unacceptable, and CF will continue to push for complete political freedom in Staffordshire University.
Area Chairman for Staffordshire CF
Social Secretary, NKCF
Sunday 16 December 2007
Christmas Comes Early...
It's very early on a Sunday morning only one week before Christmas. I'm hearing word through the blogs that an truly staggering poll will be revealed later today. YouGov's research for the Sunday Times should reveal a Conservative lead of a massive 13 points. The Liberal Democrat lead isn't yet around (from what I can see), but topline voting intentions for the main two parties are LAB-CON-32%-45%.
What does this bring up?
- We've made significant progress since the previously concerning/static 40% mark was reported. No more worrying?
- We have made no major announcements but have gained. The main thing? Europe.
Are we about to see the Lisbon Treaty's impact on the Labour Party? Could a Conservative announcement regarding a retrospective referendum boost our ratings even further?
The highest Conservative rating ever recorded by YouGov. What a Christmas present for Conservatives across the country!
Matthew Jones
Deputy Chairman (Political), NKCF