Day Two: Writing the Manifesto

Busy, busy, busy. Work is picking up again after the long summer break and I still have a campaign to organise and a manifesto to write. Looking back over the past year and recalling all the people I have met at the various campaigns, by-elections and events, brings back some good memories.

I believe getting involved is the single best way for CF members to increase the standing of our organisation. Though not known for their massive financial contributions, the gift of time spent leafleting or canvassing, counts for a lot in the rapidly ageing party.

In some associations a young person walking through door will get some strange looks, as if the members can't believe you are willing to give up your spare time.

As the largest youth political organisation in the UK, we should make it easier for our members to get out on the campaign trail.

It works for the Lib Dems.

Last May, in Sutton, they took a hammering, having their vote cut by a third by Richard Willis, formerly at Reading. Looking round the people waiting for the count, it was easy to see who the Lib Dems were. On average twenty years younger, they were able to pull their candidate out of trouble by having a better organised youth wing, who swept into town at the last minute for the sort of furious groundwork that only young people have the energy to pull off.

CF can match that, but it will take a change in the way we organise ourselves. With luck, by next election in Sutton, and elsewhere, we can beat the numbers of young campaigners mobilised by Labour or the Lib Dems - and show them how it's really done!