Conservative Party Conference Event 2006

Boris’ ‘Jamie Oliver’ comments make the national headlines

THEME: Conservatism in the 21st Century

SPEAKER: Boris Johnson MP

CHAIRMAN: Cllr. Merrick Cockell (Conservative Leader of Kensington & Chelsea, Chairman of the ALG, and Deputy Chairman of the CCA) 

SPONSORS: ALG Conservative Group, TB Marketing

DATE & TIME: Monday 2nd October 2006 @ 4pm

VENUE: Priory Room, Bourne Hall Hotel, Priory Road, Bournemouth

CPON’s 2006 conference event livened up what many political commentators considered a dull Conservative Party Conference.

From the moment it was announced that Boris Johnson was to be CPON’s guest speaker it was anticipated that the event would prove a huge success.

And so it was.

In sweltering conditions, a packed audience heard Mr. Johnson’s views in relation to everything and anything, including; failure in education, the Labour Government, and the Tories’ new tree logo.

‘WATER’ SPEECH! Boris shows bottle by wooing the audience

However, the main talking point surrounded Mr. Johnson’s views on Jamie Oliver’s campaign to introduce healthier school dinners. Mr. Johnson declared that his campaign was doomed to fail for as long as chips, burgers and other junk foods were available to pupils. He also criticised some parents for actively selling junk food to pupils outside schools where healthier food had been introduced

Mr. Johnson’s comments were in no way derogatory to Jamie Oliver, but were meant to highlight the uphill battle he faces to change social eating habits.

However, in the absence of any notable newsworthy items from the conference, the media had a field day.

Richard Ashton, CPON’s Chairman, said, “I would like to thank Mr. Johnson for his brave and forthright speech. Mr. Johnson is unique in politics for his straightforward manner, and it underpins his huge popularity with the British public.

“CPON were delighted that he accepted our invitation to speak at our event, and we have no regrets whatsoever about the subsequent publicity that the event caused. He thrilled the audience and provided a worthy debate for the media and the public to get their teeth into. Politics would be impoverished without the talents of Mr. Johnson. He is a unique, and for that we are very grateful.”

BORIS, MERRICK & CPON: (l-r) Richard Newman, Kate Stinton, Richard Coates, Richard Robeson (front), Morgan Einon, Boris Johnson MP, Robert Booth, Cllr. Merrick Cockell, Barry Macleod-Cullinane, Philip Wilson