The Candidates List
Latest Information - March 2010
Due to the 4,000+ applications that the Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) has received since the Candidates List was re-opened in May 2009, it is unlikely that any further applicants will be able to get a PAB place in time to apply for a seat for the 2010 General Election.Any approved candidates who are unsuccessful in being selected and elected at the 2010 General Election will need to re-apply after the next election, if they wish to continue being a candidate. If you wish to become an approved candidate for after the 2010 election, please do not apply until after the General Election.
The Application Process
It will be helpful if you set out any work you have done in your local community, and achievements in your work or your personal life which you think would make you an effective MP. If you are chosen to proceed to the next stage, you will also need to provide details of three referees.
Once your application has been received by CCHQ they will take up references before considering you for a Parliamentary Assessment Board (PAB): This is a day long assessment by MPs and senior Party volunteers who will make the final decision about whether to add your name to the Approved List of candidates.
(Please note there is a £250 fee for attending a PAB and you must have been a member of the Party for at least 3 months before you can attend.)
Preparation:
- If you have not already done so, make contact with your local Conservative Association (link takes to you to a Conservatives.com search).
- If there are any elections in the offing, be sure to volunteer to help during the campaign.
- Consider becoming a Council candidate.
- Consider your commitments to local voluntary community organisations and charities. Your involvement in these areas indicates a commitment to public service.
- Think realistically about the role of a candidate. Is it the right time for you as far as your professional and private life is concerned? Are you prepared to travel to a far flung constituency and how much time can you devote to fighting a seat?
- Understand the role and job of an MP. Browse the CWO Bookshop: MPs and Parliament.
- Consider any training needs you have as many of the skills needed by an MP can be taught, i.e. public speaking and presentation.
The City Seats Initiative
As a starting point you may want to consider getting involved in a City Seats Initiative (CSI). A CSI is a group of allocated constituencies in a City area which are working together with a group of candidates and volunteers to maximise the Party's exposure in the constituencies.Candidates on the Approved List who are working within a CSI team will not be selected for a specific CSI constituency until later in the year and in the meantime all candidates and volunteers will work together to cover the whole group of constituencies.
The strategy will be to improve canvassing information, membership, and income, whilst raising the profile of the Party and identifying areas in which the team can get involved in Social Action Projects.
The principal aims are as follows:
- To raise the Party's profile in major cities where its presence is weak
- To support under resourced Associations in urban areas
- To encourage City wide co ordination of the Party's resources and volunteers
- To encourage those who are currently applying to go on the List and those local people who may be interested in applying but have not taken that important first step
The CSI started with four Pilots in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Sheffield and Tyneside and has now been extended to include N.E London, Nottingham, and South Wales Central Valley Initiative.
If you are interested in getting involved in a CSI team then please e-mail:
candidateenquiries@conservatives.com
indicating your preferred location from the list above.