Brown's Tax Bombshell

A big thank you and congratulations to everyone that came out to help in the campaign stunt Monday evening.

Even though the weather was bad we still managed to let the British public know that Brown's Tax Cuts were actually a bombshell!

Here are some pictures to wet your appetite:

London South CF Ball

On Friday London South CF hosted a ball together with Sanderstead ward at Croydon Airport House.

It was a great event and thanks to all those who came.

Here are some pictures- enjoy!

- - - Campaigning tomorrow - - -

All London South CF members received an e-mail a few weeks ago detailing the two campaign days that are happening tomorrow.

For those who never read it or have yet to read it or are from other parts of London then please read on!

Richmond Park CF Action Day
Date: Saturday 15th November
Time: 10:30am
Meeting point: Norbiton Station
Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=40435096982

Eltham Action Day
Date: Saturday 15th November
Time: 10:00am
Meeting point: Eltham Station
Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=43462751384

Come campaigning this Saturday

Come and campaign this Saturday in Croydon for PPC Gavin Barwell.

Time: 10.15am
Meeting point: East Croydon station
Sessions: (1) 10.30am-12pm
FREE LUNCH and DRINKS
(2) 2pm-4pm

RSVP: londonsouth@conservativefuture.com

Meeting Dominic Grieve at the Carlton Club

Thanks to the Patron's Club in Croydon for hosting a wonderful event with the Shadow Home Secretary and Shadow Attorney-General, Dominic Grieve MP.

Richard Ottaway MP and PPC Gavin Barwell were also present and it was great to see so many people there.

Campaigning tomorrow all over London

If you are a CF member based in London then we have got several campaign days for you to attend tomorrow.

Brentford and Isleworth Campaign Day with PPC Mary Macleod

Meet at: 433 Chiswick High Street
at: 10.30am

Campaigning is taking place in two sessions: 10.30-1pm and 2-4.30pm

RSVP: Daniel.Emmett-Gulliver@lexisnexis.co.uk



Croydon Campaigning

Meet at: 169 Green Lane, Norbury
at: 10am

RSVP: croydonconservatives@tory.org

Meeting David Cameron

On Tuesday London South CF met up with David Cameron in Croydon.

After he spoke at Croydon Town Hall for Cameron Direct (link here: http://www.selfcast.com/Conservatives/recording/3638) he came to speak to us afterwards at Oaks Farm.

He gave an excellent speech and said that even though we are ahead in the polls we must not become complacent.

Meet Sir John Major on 23 October

A Champagne Reception with Sir John Major in support of the Target Seats Campaigns in Thurrock (PPC Jackie Doyle-Price) and Dagenham & Rainham (PPC Simon Jones).

Date: Thursday 23rd October

Time: 7.30pm

Location: TBA due to security reasons

Ticket: £45

Ticket price includes champagne and canapes

RSVP: 07703056088 or winwithjackie@hotmail.co.uk

Michael Howard in Putney on 14 October

Putney Conservatives are holding a drinks reception with The Rt Hon Michael Howard MP QC along with Justine Greening MP on Tuesday 14th October 2008 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

There will be a discount to London South CF members and the ticket price is £20 (non CF is £35)

Here are some details from the organisers:

"The venue has a wonderful atmosphere with breathtaking views of Putney Bridge and the river Thames, full length balcony, glamourous decor, beautifully lit, highest quality service from elegant, polite Thai waitresses, award winning architecture. Authentic Thai venue with eight statues of Buddha fed and watered everyday as tradition dictates.

The reception is in a private area described by one reviewer as: 'a sultry and stunning space that marries modern simplicity with rich jewel-toned velvet couches and elaborate etched glass walls.'

The format is a full thai style finger buffet including dim sum, satays, duck spring roll, butterfly king prawns, thai fish cakes and vegetarian options together with a welcome thai cocktail, followed by high quality white and red wines and soft drinks.

Our guest Michael Howard MP has a special connection with Putney following the 2005 election when Justine Greening won the seat from Labour. Justine, currently Shadow Treasury Minister (widely tipped for promotion in an upcoming reshuffle) who has amongst other high profile campaigns spearheaded the fight against a third runway at Heathrow, will be speaking.

This event has a limited number of tickets and as such will be an intimate event."

If you would like to attend then please e-mail Cllr Lucy Allen at: lucyallan@btinternet.com

London South Ball 2008

Our ball is set in the historic Croydon Airport House where Amy Johnson flew "Jason" her Gypsy Moth to Darwin, Australia that was 11,000 miles away from Britain. It was the first time that a woman had ever flown solo from Britain to Australia.

On arrival you will receive a drink before you sit down to a wonderful 3 course dinner with coffee.

Karen Hardy from BBC's Strictly Come Dancing will be demonstrating with her ballroom dancing partner just why she wins the competition every year!

We've also got live entertainment from the top 5 ballroom dancers in the UK as well as a live band who will play music all night.

Ticket price includes:-
- Drinks on arrival
- 3 course meal with coffee
- Live entertainment
- Live music
- Raffle
- Cocktails

Price: £45 non-CF member and £40 CF member
Dress: Black Tie
RSVP: Clare Hilley- clare_hilley@yahoo.co.uk

London South at Party Conference

London South is going to Party Conference.

Having been sold out for the last number of weeks this really will be the event of the year.

If you're going and want to catch up with us then these are the few drinking events that we will be at:

Saturday 27th September: CF Evening Drinks Reception
Sunday 28th September: Salisbury Lunch
TRG Conference Cocktail Party
CF Discussion on the CF Reforms
CWF Midnight Drinks Reception
Monday 30th September: CF 10th Anniversary Drinks Reception
Tuesday 31st September: YBF Conference Fringe Debate and Drinks Reception
London Drinks Reception
TB's Party

Also throughout the conference The Freedom Association is hosting a mini-conference called The Freedom Zone. Details can be found here: http://www.tfa.net/the_freedom_association/thefreedomzone.html

Conservative Future Reforms

To all members in London South:

Conservative Future National Management Executive passed some reforms last week which will change CF significantly. The link is here: http://executive.cfbranch.com/?p=281

Make sure that you comment with your ideas as it is good to have a consultation even if it is after the proposals have been voted through!

My thoughts:
1) I agree that the CF structure needs to change in order to be more efficient.
2) Expenses are an excellent idea and I hope that these are available to every elected position.
3) I do not agree that Area Chairman should be 'optional'. They should either agree to scrap them or keep them. Ambiguity does not help anyone.
4) Equally CF is a democratic youth organisation so the mere fact that the only definitive vote will be for the National Chairman is ludicrous. The document states under Regional co-ordinator and 'optional' Area Chairman; 'election undecided'
5) All elected positions in CF cannot under any circumstances be appointed.
6) As elections cost CF £15,800 this should not be used as an excuse to suggest that it is cheaper and cost-effective to appoint Regional Co-ordinators and Area Chairman.
7) If the NME are ineffective how does replacing them with Regional Co-ordinators change this?
8) Well done to Michael Rock and the rest of the NME for throwing out ABB's proposal of appointing the National Chairman and scrapping the one member, one vote system as this really was an outrageous proposal and is what the Labour Youth Movement do.

London South Campaign in Croydon

The London South team headed to New Addington in the Croydon Central constituency to help PPC Cllr Gavin Barwell. We canvassed many household and recived a very warm reception on the doorsteps with many new people saying they will vote Conservative at the next election.

Thanks Max Lit, D.E.G, Ben Howlett and Richard Holloway for making a special effort to attend despite the heavy night beforehand!

Come and support Gavin in his marginal seat this Saturday

This Saturday Croydon Conservative Future is hosting a campaign day in the marginal constituency of Croydon Central.

Meeting point is East Croydon station at 10am and from there we'll travel to our campaign location via tram!

We'll stop for free lunch and drinks and then campaign again in the afternoon from 2-4pm.

RSVP: londonsouth@conservativefuture.com

Area Campaign Targets Tooting

By Steven George

Tooting – August 31 2008, Conservative Future activists have completed a successful action day one of London’s most crucial target seats.

The action day attracted over 20 activists from up and down the country who delivered mountains of election literature to members of the public. The event was organised by Mark Clarke, PPC for Tooting and supported by the membership of London South CF run by Area Chairman Clare Hilley.
The Area structure helped drive people to the event which was also attended by some of the most senior and experienced leaders including Matt Richardson and Christian May.

“It was great to see so many people getting out on the doorsteps and helping CF,” commented Clare Hilley, London South CF.

“By working together we successfully delivered a huge amount of literature to over 12,000 households,” She concluded.

This Saturday join us- we're campaigning in Tooting

If you're free this Saturday or have not yet made weekend plans, then come and join us!

We're campaiging in Tooting; the seat of last years' National Chairman of CF, Mark Clarke.

The meeting point is Tooting Broadway station at 10.30am.

Please find some more details below from Mark about the event:

"The Tooting campaign days are something of legend. People come to Tooting Broadway station for 10:30. We deliver in the morning. Everyone then gets a slap up hot lunch (for free) in the Selkirk Pub on Selkirk Road. Then we deliver in the afternoon. Then everyone gets drinks in the Selkirk Pub. Lots and lots of them. Again on me. (or rather my long suffering Association Chairman). It's all been agreed with the new CF Campaign's Director, so come along and support. And have an almighty time afterwards."

Friday night in Purley....

Last Friday London South CF came together in Purley for a night of fun, frolics and entertainment!

We started off in Elliots wine bar, then made our way to Brass Monkeys and ended up in the Treehouse in Croydon.

It was a good laugh and we even managed to convert some people- lets hope that they turn up to the next event!

China fundraising- Politics + Charity= A Good Thing

A message from Claire Palmer:

Since finishing my term as Deputy Chairman of CF, I have been taking a bit of a rest, as well as reinvolving and increasing my involvement in local politics. I have been keeping up to date with the good work being undertaken by the new Executive, and keep in touch with many of them on a regular basis. I continue to be available to field enquiries, and also to offer advice in setting up branches, particularly in our target seats.



Recently, I have been doing a reasonable amount of walking, in preparation for a 9 day charity trek along the Great Wall of China. Apparently we do up to 7 hours walking each day, and it is pretty hilly and there are lots of steps. The steps range from tiny steps to those that are half your body height which makes for some interesting walking!

The charity in question is the Westminster Challenge which supports three charities: The Children’s Society, Crimestoppers and Cancer Research. The trip also has the aim of encouraging politicians and charities to work more closely together and to support the voluntary sector. I understand that we are also being joined by the Lithuanian Ambassador on the trek. I am aiming to raise £5,000, and am nearly half way there. If 100 CF members donated £25, or 250 CF members donated just £10, that would be the other half.
The link is www.bmycharity.com/clairepalmerchina.

Any support would be gratefully received.

Best wishes,

Claire Palmer

Former CF Deputy Chairman

Summer Events

Event: August Star Social
Host: Cities of London and Westminster Conservative Future
Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Time: 7:30pm - 11:30pm
Address: The Old Star Tavern, 66 Broadway, Westminster, United Kingdom
Ticket: Free

RSVP: victoriaecparker@hotmail.com

_________________________________

Event: Pimm’s on the Lawn
Host: Croydon Central and South Conservative Federation, Addiscombe Branch
Date: Sunday 10th August
Time: 12 onwards
Address: 93 Clyde Road, Addiscombe, Croydon
Ticket: £7 (entry for children is free) to include first glass of Pimm’s or soft drink, and finger buffet

RSVP or further details: Cllr. Maria Garcia (020 8662 0454 or mgdelahuerta@yahoo.com)

Please bring a garden chair, if you have one

_____________________________________

Event: Summer BBQ
Host: Croydon Conservative Future
Date: Friday 15th August
Time: 7pm onwards
Address: TBA
Ticket: £5 to include booze and BBQ!!

RSVP: Clare Hilley: londonsouth@conservativefuture.com

______________________________________

Event: Dinner at the East India Club
Host: The Salisbury Club
Date: Friday 22nd August
Time: 7.30pm-11.30pm
Address: East India Club, St James' Square, London
Ticket: £60 to include 3 course dinner with wine
Dress Code: Black Tie

Dinner will be served in the Canadian Room and will consist of 3 course with wine. As always we will be meeting to raise funds for Conservative Future.

We will meet at 7.30pm for pre-dinner drinks in the East India lounge.

Guest Speaker: Cllr Stuart Penketh - Parliamentary Candidate for Ellesmere Port and Neston Cheshire. Stuart has recently been selected to stand in this very winable seat in the North West. Stuart is also a local Councillor in Bury, Greater Manchester. and will give a short speech at the end of the Dinner.

RSVP: send your cheques to: Cllr. Ben Howlett, Sidney Sussex College, The University of Cambridge, Sidney Street, Cambridge, CB2 3HU

Sad and Disgruntled

I have only ever used this blog to publicise London South CF events and have never wanted to make a habit of blogging twice a day on my daily opinion (as most bloggers do) as I've always thought that it was a method to stroke one's own ego!

However I am breaking this view as I was e-mailed links by a few friends tonight who were upset about allegations being posted about themselves on these blogs: http://theblueguerilla.blogspot.com/ and http://www.torybear.blogspot.com/

The principle of these blogs are great as it holds people to account but I do not condone personal attacks.

Anyway this will be the only and last opinion post from me so thanks for reading and log on regularly for London South CF updates.

Ken says Thanks!

Ken Andrews, PPC for Carshalton and Wallington has asked me to thank those who helped him campaign in his constituency.

We had a great day and his partner Pamela made an excellent lunch!

We will no doubt be helping Ken again in the future and for those that missed it this time round, make sure that you come next time!

Campaigning in Bexley tomorrow....

Bexley Conservative Future are organising a campaign day in support of local resident James Spencer, the Conservative candidate in the forthcoming Christchurch ward by-election on Thursday 3 July.

To those that I have already spoken to or e-mailed about tomorrow's campaign day make sure that you go and to those that have not opened your e-mail yet here is some info about tomorrow's campaign day:

Date: Saturday 28th June
Tine: 9:45am till 5pm
Location: Pick up by Matthew Scott at Bexleyheath station, Avenue Road, Bexleyheath

Contact: Matthew Scott (mobile: 07930128906 or e-mail: join@bexleycf.com)

If you're a member of facebook then please follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=28168489840

A chance to meet and congratulate our newly elected GLA member, Cllr Steve O'Connell

Steve O'Connell joined Croydon Council in 2002 as a Councillor for Kenley, Croydon, where he lives. He rose quickly through the party ranks holding various opposition Group positions, and particularly found his spell on the Planning Committee useful as one of Steve’s priorities is the protection of our area, particularly back gardens against over development. Steve particularly treasures the Green Belt and in his own words ‘’Will die in a ditch to protect it’’.

In May 2006, Steve became Joint Deputy Group Leader, and on victory, became Joint Deputy Leader of the Council, later becoming Cabinet Member for Safety and Cohesion.

Following his selection as the GLA Candiate for Croydon & Sutton last year, he won this seat two weeks ago with 76,477 votes; gaining 44.08% of the votes cast with a 7.30% increase since the last GLA elections.

The new Mayor of London Boris Johnson has recently appointed him to sit as a member on the Metropolitan Police Authority as well as giving him other appointments.

Come and meet Steve next Thursday 5th June at The Slug & Lettuce, (next to Clapham Junction station) at 7.30pm

It will be a great chance to meet Steve and have a talk over a few beers.....

RSVP: Clare Hilley at: londonsouth@conservativefuture.com

Carshalton & Wallington Action Day....with free lunch and free drinks

Last election in 2005 Dr Ken Andrews fought an excellent campaign and even though the Liberals held the seat with 17,357, Ken managed to increase the Conservative vote by 4% increasing his vote to 16,289.

Based on the break down of the recent GLA results this seat is winnable and we will be campaigning in a ward where we will be able to pick up crucial votes.

Date: Saturday 7th June
Time: 10am
Meeting point: Carshalton train station

Free transport from the meeting point, free lunch and free drinks included.

RSVP: Clare Hilley at: londonsouth@conservativefuture.com

Crewe and Nantwich by-election fever.....

The campaign hotted up this weekend in more ways than one with at least ten London South members hitting the streets and delivering, canvassing and holding balloons!!

After the day fellow CF activists finished the evening at a party where at least one member was drinking till 7am.....

We could win here as on Sunday The News of the World carried a second ICM poll on the Crewe and Nantwich by-election: CON 45%(+2), LAB 37%(-2), LDEM 14%(-2).

They claimed that, "Last week there was a very large proportion of former Labour voters saying don’t know, so it will be interesting when the tables are released to see if the changes are a result of a drop in “Labour don’t knows” ".

Only 4% of people in Crewe and Nantwich said the increase in tax allowances had made them more likely to vote Labour in the by-election, with 24% saying it had made them less likely to vote Labour.

Dates for Your Diary

After the huge success in the London Mayoral contest and the local elections, it’s never been a better time to get involved with London South CF. Please see below dates for your diary moving forward, we look forward to seeing you!

London South Drinks Evening- Wednesday May 28, 7pm

Slug and Lettuce - Clapham
4 St. John's Hill
Clapham
SW11 1RU

RSVP: londonsouth@conservativefuture.com



Wallington & Carshalton Action Day, Saturday June 7
10am onwards , Location TBC
mini-bus pick up outside Carshalton Station (15min from London Victoria)

RSVP: londonsouth@conservativefuture.com

Get Involved With Bexley CF

By Jonathan Lee

Bexley CF was formed in 2003 and the membership is drawn from all three local Conservative Associations; Bexleyheath and Crayford, Old Bexley and Sidcup and Erith and Thamesmead.


Locally, Bexley CF has been very active in recent years supporting the efforts of the Association time, with particular success at election time. At the last council elections in 2006, eight Conservative councillors under the age of 30, were elected. The group continue to campaign on political issues, including youth crime and youth engagement in politics.

On Wednesday 21 May, Bexley CF is holding a social event at:

Lang Sen Vietnamese Restaurant
305 Broadway,
Bexleyheath,
DA6 8DT,

Tickets for this event are £20, which starts at 8pm.

If you could add this to your website, we would be grateful - tickets are available by emailing - join@bexleycf.com

London's New Mayor is a Winner

By Steve George

The London South committee would like to congratulate Boris Johnson and all activists who helped make his campaign such a stunning success. For months on end, CF members paced the streets of London spreading the message and working hard to deliver Boris into City Hall.

After only a few days in the job, Boris is making a huge difference through swift and decisive action. He is already taking steps to stamp out anti social behavoir by banning booze on the tube and is reaching out to youths by appointing experienced leader Ray Lewis as deputy for young people. Such effective and insightful leadership is cast iron proof that Boris is the man to lead London forward.

Having Boris as Mayor is like a breath of fresh air for all of us. For too long London had suffered from the corruption of Ken Livingstone’s administration and its lacklustre approach to record levels of knife and gun crime.

During his campaign, Boris had to endure a series of callous smears from the likes of the Guardian’s leading champagne socialist Polly Toynbee. Despite the mountains of mud these grotesque commentators chucked at him from their million pound homes, Boris kept moving forward to victory.

We now have a mayor who understands the needs of the people of London and will do everything in his power to tackle crime head on.

Winning team: The Boris CF activists

Expert: Ray Lewis brought in

Congratulations Maidstone!

A big Congratulations to Maidstone who won with a healthy majority of nine seats bringing the total number of Cllrs to twenty nine on the Council. The last time it was Conservative held was in 1982 and since then it's been a battle between the Liberal Democrats and us.

Well done to everyone who helped with the campaign!!

We've had some amazing wins so far and Labour hasn't performed this badly since the 1960s. A BBC analysis gave Labour a projected national share of the vote of 24% behind the Liberal Democrats on 25% and the Conservatives first on 44%.

Fingers crossed Boris wins this afternoon......
and after that Downing Street for Cameron!

EXCLUSIVE: Hain and Blears ‘Backing Boris’

LABOUR MPs Peter Hain and Hazel Blears, the bubbly Blairite have both joined the Facebook group ‘I’m AGAINST Labour’s tax on the poor’. Further this, they have both also been tagged in Back Boris logos, which are displayed on the main pages of their profiles.

On the trail with Boris.......

Our Mayoral candidate Boris Johnson has hit South London again!!

He met with James Cleverly GLA Candidate for Bromley and Bexley, Bob Neil MP and London South CF members! Together they leafleted, canvassed and got the message out that Ken has to go, effectively and quickly to the people in Bromley.

It was a good event and thanks to Patrick Sullivan and the Back Boris team for organising it.

Croydon Central Campaign Day

Thanks to all those that braved the wind and rain to join us on our fifth campaign day on Saturday.

We delivered 8,000 leaflets and after our 'curry lunch' we canvassed the surrounding areas.

It was a tremendous effort and I know that the Croydon & Sutton GLA Candidate Cllr Steve O'Connell was very impressed with us all.

(left to right) GLA Candidate Cllr Steve O'Connell, Area Chair Clare Hilley, PPC for Croydon Central, Cllr Gavin Barwell

Deputy Chair Steven George talking to a local resident

The whole team!

All having lunch- a curry!

Campaigning in Maidstone next Saturday 26th April

If you would like to join the team campaigning in Maidstone next Saturday 26th April then please do let me know- e-mail me at: londonsouth@conservativefuture.com

Free lunch and drinks provided as usual and pick up point will be East Croydon station.

An Evening with Liam Fox MP (hosted by G2G)

Following on from G2G's last event with The Rt Hon Michael Howard MP, they are now hosting another evening of debate:

Topic: The future of global politics: challenges, opportunities, threats?
Speakers:
George Brock (Saturday Editor, The Times and President, World Editors Forum)
Liam Fox MP (Shadow Defence Secretary)
Simon Tisdall (Assistant Editor, The Guardian)

Date: Tuesday 22nd April 2008
Time: 6.45-8.30
Location: Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London, WC1H 9BD
(see www.hamilton-house.org.uk/contacts.htm for directions)

This promises to be a thought-provoking debate with leading policy makers. We are expecting to cover a wide variety of topics, including the Brown government’s foreign policy, the US Elections, the Middle East, the Beijing Olympics and much more.

What’s more: we will be opening the floor for your questions. As always with G2G events, there will be prizes for the best questions!

The event will be followed by a drinks reception, where you will be able to meet fellow graduates and young professionals from across London.

Tickets for this exclusive event are only £5 if purchased online – through www.g2gnetwork.co.uk. We are expecting tickets to run out fast, so make sure to reserve your place as soon as possible. Otherwise tickets cost £7 on the door

G2G provides talks and networking opportunities for graduates and young professionals in London

Campaigning this Saturday in Bromley

Come and join London South in helping GLA candidate James Cleverly for Bexley & Bromley.

These are the notes from the organiser Cllr Gordon Jenkins:

"Come and help spread the Conservative message in Bromley, which is one of the key areas in which we need to increase the Conservative turn-out on 1st May if we are to get both James and Boris elected.We will be canvassing and delivering in the Priority Wart of Bromley Town on Saturday 12th April from 10:00am to 1:00pm. We will be meeting at the junction of Cameron Road and Stone Road BR2 which is just a short walk from Bromley South Station. All offers of help would be greatly appreciated."

Date: Saturday 12th April
Time: 10am
Finish: 1pm

RSVP: londonsouth@conservativefuture.com

Campaign Day in Croydon Central

Please join London South CF campaigning in Croydon Central. We will be supporting our Mayoral Candidate Boris Johnson, Cllr Steve O'Connell who is the Croydon & Sutton GLA Candidate and Cllr Gavin Barwell who is the our PPC for the coming general election.

This seat was won by us in 2005 with a majority of 75 votes- it is on former Labour minister Charles Clarke's 'doomsday list' as one of the seats that needs to be gained by them if they are going to win the next general election: http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/doomsdaymemo.pdf

The campaign day includes: free transport to location from pick-up point, free drinks and lunch.

Date: Saturday 19th April
Time: 10am at pick up point: East Croydon station

Lunch and drinks are provided free!

RSVP: londonsouth@conservativefuture.com

Croydon CF meets Cllr Gordon Jenkins

Last Wednesday Cllr Gordon Jenkins who represents Bickley ward in Bromley came to speak to Croydon CF about the important role of youth in politics. Gordon emphasised the huge contribution that Conservative Future make to national and local campaigns for the party and gave tips to the membership on how they can get the most out of politics.

The group also discussed how they will help Boris Johnson win in the upcoming mayoral elections and how they can help out on action campaign days around London South.

Overall it was an excellent evening, enjoyed by all.

NOTE FOR THE DIARY: next campaign day, April 19th