Conservative Women's Organisation :: How to become an MP

How to become an MP

Introduction

See Also: Getting Started

This is intended to help you understand the process by which Conservative MP's are selected, and to answer a number of questions which are regularly asked about how you can become an Approved Conservative Candidate. Let us assure you that we would like to give you as much help and advice as you feel you need, so please do not be put off taking the first steps to becoming an Approved Candidate.

Many people have a rather stereotypical view of the average Conservative MP as a wealthy, middle-aged business man with a wife and 2.2 children. This may have been true in the past but today the Conservative Party is seeking to give local associations a more diverse range of candidates with a variety of skills and experiences so that our Parliamentary Party can truly represent and reflect the population of our country today. We are looking for people from all backgrounds, all experiences and ages, men and women from all parts of the country.

David Cameron said in Leeds on 12th December 2005...

"I plan to change the face of the Conservative Party by changing the faces of the Conservative Party... We need people from diverse backgrounds to inform everything we do, to give us the benefit of their diverse experience, to ensure that we stay in touch with the reality of life in Britain today... Until we're represented by men and women in the country, regardless of race or creed, we won't be half the Party we could be."

This has lead to David's announcement of his 'five-point positive action plan'. The plan is based on clear principles: guaranteeing more women and ethnic minorities are selected for winnable seats; ensuring that someone's potential to be a good MP is the only factor that counts in being selected as an approved candidate and importantly, preserving the autonomy that constituency associations have to select the candidate who is best for them.

See Also: Getting on the Candidates List