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Renewing the Whole Nation Offer - A Progress Update and what we all need to do next
Co-founder of Whole Nation Conservatives Miranda Jupp is a longstanding North East Conservative activist and approved candidate. Prior to the 2024 General Election she was Chief of Staff to Sir Simon Clarke.
Around a year ago, many of Reform’s prominent characters were confidently proclaiming the death of the Conservative Party.
Whilst our opponents continue to come up with increasingly outlandish claims to talk down the progress Kemi and local Conservatives are now making, both the polls and by election results illustrate a steady Conservative revival. After a number of individual polls showing our party overtaking Reform for 2nd place in recent months, and some strong by election results, including Douglas Lumsden’s impressive victory in the Aberdeen South parliamentary by election, the Telegraph declared crossover in their ‘poll of polls’ last weekend (1) for the first time in almost 2 years.
Although Labour have unarguably benefitted from a ‘Burnham Bounce’, there are some signs that the consistent scrutiny being applied by the opposition front bench is also starting to make headway on the Labour honeymoon lead. This week’s More in Common poll showed the Conservatives closing in on Labour (Conservatives 25% (+2); Labour 28% (-1)) and pulling 5 points clear of Reform (20%(-2)).
This progress is also showing on the doorsteps. It is increasingly common for people to praise Kemi’s straightforward approach. Policy announcements with a common aspirational thread running through them are beginning to cut through, from inheritance tax to welfare.
But some of the most interesting conversations are with those who we haven’t yet fully won over. Many of these voters have generally been Conservative in the past, but out of frustration on a range of issues including (but not limited to) immigration have turned to Reform. Anyone who regularly spends time canvassing will know that a year ago these were incredibly challenging conversations, in some cases ending fairly swiftly with a slammed door in your face! Whilst we still have work to do to regain their trust (and thereby their support), most are now noticing things they like in our policy announcements, and willing to listen and engage on local and national issues. Criticisms of our recent record in government are more nuanced and specific, and there is a strong desire to avoid this Labour government remaining in office for any longer than necessary!
This is an environment where every conversation really does matter: there is no substitute for local activists taking the time to listen, accept that mistakes were made in government, and answer questions on how our developing policy offer will improve the lives of hard working people and their communities.
This takes time and effort, but the more of us that step up and have these conversations, the more votes we can win back. Knocking on a door for the first time is undoubtedly daunting, but conversations with residents are often rewarding, interesting, and from time to time the source of an amusing anecdote or two! I would encourage anyone who shares the belief that our country needs Kemi as our next Prime Minister to consider joining your local campaign teams on doorsteps, even if this isn’t something you have done before. Experienced activists will be very happy to share their hints and tips and support you as you find your feet (and most of us a very good company too!). The ground game matters, and it relies on ordinary Conservatives stepping up to spread local and national messages.
Reform undeniably have footsoldiers who are willing to knock on doors in the service of their cult leader. The Liberal Democrats also make hay with pavement politics whilst Ed Davey acts as Burnham’s teacher’s pet in parliament. If we want to win back votes and seats at council and parliamentary level in all parts of the country, it is vital we get out on the ground and sell our own offer to the country, even though many of us are perhaps a little more reserved in temperament than our opponents: our country and our party need us!
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