Joint Statement from Lord Feldman, Co Chairman of the Party and Jeremy Middleton, Chairman of the National Convention.
There has been some speculation that Spring Forum will not take place in 2012. This is incorrect.
However, the Party constantly reviews arrangements for Party Conference and Spring Forum. Our challenge is to make them relevant, appealing, exciting, and innovative.
The time has come for a new approach to Spring Forum. The feedback from members is that the traditional Spring Forum is now prohibitively expensive. Attendance has been falling over the past few years. In addition, now the Conservative Party is in Government, security concerns and costs are an important factor.
Therefore, we have decided to try a new kind of Spring Forum in 2012. It will still include the meeting of the National Convention as required by the constitution.
The rest of the event will have a different look and feel to previous years. It will be a one day event and will be focussed on the issues concerning the Voluntary Party. The agenda will be designed to promote a conversation amongst senior volunteers, senior politicians and the professional party about issues of concern to the Voluntary Party including areas such as campaigning best practice, membership, CPF, candidate selection and the Boundary Review.
All members of the National Convention and other senior activists will be invited to attend.
Because we are doing something different this year, we will be holding a consultation afterwards among the membership to ensure their views are taken into account going forward.
Fundraising mail
Following our Party Conference in Manchester and ahead of our key election campaigns next year, we will be sending out a new Conservative Party fundraising mailing over the next few days.
In their letters, Michael Gove, Iain Duncan Smith and Boris Johnson will be setting out the challenges facing our Party over the coming months. The mailing will go to our Party members and supporters.
If you would like any further information please contact Anushka Sharma on