Below is my run down of some of the subjects touched on in the interview with Grant Shapps MP.
CampaigningHave to out there for years - 3/4/5 years. (basically he indicates you cant just turn up at last minute without actually saying it).
Technology in campaigning
Email - push politics - where you build up lists of constituents. Pushing information out is crucial and one of the biggest factors in winning my seat with an 8% plus swing
People will often join email lists on specific campaigns - such as saving a hospital
Its a cultural shift. Money usually spent on brochures/newsletters. There are more subtle ways of campaigning. People WILL read local information about what’s going on in their street - thats what campaigners should focus on
David Cameron/ConservativesIts a long haul. Been out of power a long time. A young mum of 20 at the next election will not have been alive when Thatcher was in power. A massive hill to win 125 seats. Cameron is the first to recognise that challenge. Heartening to be ahead in the polls. Cameron a tremendous leader.
When you’ve lost three times you know there’s a problem. The hunger is there. I notice an atmosphere of being joined up in the parliamentary party. A real desire to win. Winning involves doing challenging things - to some colleagues who have been here a long time - they are pretty challenging thoughts.
A listThat’s just common sense - we should try to look like the population we're trying to represent. Too few women on our benches. You need a mechanism to do it. Most of us wouldn’t go for positive selection. We don’t want all women candidate lists. Lets make sure the lists consists of 50/50 - it makes sense.
Associations want to pick winners these days
Policy groupsPeople will trust the party when we look like a government in waiting - you cant build policy overnight. They are really big questions. Groups set up which cross wide sections of policy. Its right to spend time getting it right. Have people from inside and outside the party. Its a great idea.
Upcoming starsTheresa Villiers and David Mundell in the Shadow Cabinet. A whole range of new intake as shadow ministers. A huge amount of talent. Don't envy the leaders job in choosing. New intake get on well - sense of togetherness.
Lib Dems
They're always a threat. They are the anti establishment party. Never rest on our laurels. Last election a success - in every seat where we faces strong Lib challenge we pushed them back - a success. Cameron is appealing to former Lib Dem voters.
ConclusionsParty has come through the most difficult time over last couple of decades. Not since 83 that at beginning of a Parliament have we been pretty certain we will go into the election with the same leader. Leader can plan for an entire parliament. Not forget Howard only had 18 months to whip the party into shape. When the party does good - we all benefit.
