Day Fourteen: Biggest Night of the Year

A few weird things happened tonight. Firstly, a HUGE number of CF members gathered in the one place at the one time. Secondly, an unprecedented number of new members, female members and friends of members turned up. Thirdly, all this happened in that well known 'adult entertainment' venue Stringfellows.

What lessons can be learnt from this? Well, I'm not suggesting we all start hanging around in strip clubs (oops, just lost 300 votes with that one), but when one event is so successful something must have gone right.

The venue was good, designed for social events and easy to get to. The speaker was well known (though likely NOT for being the true-blue Tory that he is). However, without that 'value added' feeling, that came from it being something a bit diffferent, something you discussed with your friends, it is unlikely that it would have generated such a buzz.

This was not a student event - yet the place was packed with CF members, including students. A lot of the guys who showed up were CF in name only, the 'lost' members of the party under 30 who could make this organisation so much more effective if they were to take an active interest.

CF needs to start raising its profile, making itself relevant to its own members. With a hard working exec with big ideas, it is possible.