Time for some metaphorical knuckledusters

Given the huge interest in Harlow, following the local elections, I spoke to both the BBC and Sky, as well as a number of newspaper journos who contacted me.

Broadly I said that we need to do the following three things:

First; whatever the difficulties we face as a Party, we have to remain unified. I remain supportive of the Prime Minister - as do the vast majority of MPs and Conservative activists. The public hammer divided parties.

Second; we have to communicate much better what we stand for as a party. The problem at present is that everything is seen through the prism of the deficit and cuts. We must be able to bring together a narrative that encapsulates the timeless and deep rooted Tory messages of Aspiration, Opportunity, Fairness and Community. How are we going to help those who are struggling to keep their heads above water? Will we give them ladders of opportunity and a safety net in case they fall? More Apprenticeships, lower taxes for lower earners and the pupil premium very much fit into this mould.

Third; and this is where the metaphorical knuckledusters come in. Our party machine must be beefed up and - far more ruthless. Much more needs to be done to build up campaign hit teams to parallel the Union support given to Labour on the doorsteps. We must match the Labour Party's passion and motivation. We have beliefs to fight for too.

Campaigns should be run by street fighters who will roll up their sleeves and fight street by street, alley by alley. That is why people like Lynton Crosby - who ran the Boris campaign - should be brought back at Tory HQ heading the 2015 election campaign.

Enough of 'gentlemanly campaigning' - which doesn't work - when the opposition wake up every day wanting to strangle a Conservative. It is time to get into the ring.

P.S.  You can read more HERE and HERE.

Reflections on the local elections: Victory for The Apathy Party

Who was the biggest victor last night?  The Apathy Party had tremendous success.  In Harlow, the voter turnout was incredibly low - and across the country not much better.

What does this mean?  That the public are fed up with all main political parties and there is a real plague on all our houses.  Increasingly, the public are disillusioned with Westminster politics.   National party membership is on the decline as is general support for political parties. Many people agree with Ken Livingstone, on at least one thing:  "if voting changed anything, they would abolish it".

The victory of The Apathy Party does not negate that it was not a good night for Conservatives.  In Harlow, our vote share across the Town held up at around forty percent and the swing to Labour was around two percent from last year.  Nevertheless, we lost a number of seats and some excellent hard-working Councillors who had really dedicated themselves to their local communities.

I was very proud of our Councillors, the battle we fought, the work that has been done in the past four years to restore the Council to financial health, to implement a three year council tax freeze and protect community services.  Four years is a long time in politics and however good Councillors were, it is difficult to resist the national tide.

We Conservatives need to get back on our feet, strengthen our party machine, and talk about the issues that matter to local people.  We need to have a refocus on our policies to ensure that everything that is said and implemented, reflects real Conservative themes of aspiration, community, fairness and opportunity.  Above all we should ensure that not everything we do is seen through the prism of the deficit and cuts.  

P.S.  I have no hesitation congratulating all the Councillors who got elected, including Harlow Labour Party who fought a tough campaign.

by Robert Halfon - Working Hard for Harlow.