Conservative Party Conference Event 2004

CPON experience “absolute success” at packed fringe event 

THEME: The Future of Local Government: What Next?

SPEAKERS: Ed Vaizey (PPC for Wantage), Cllr. Simon Milton (Conservative Leader, Westminster City Council), Cllr. Mike Whitby (Conservative Leader, Birmingham City Council), Christine Melsom (Founder of IsItFair Campaign for Council Tax Reform)

CHAIRMAN: Cllr. Bob Blackman (Group Whip of the London Assembly Conservative Group)

SPONSORS: ALG, TB Marketing, Fujitsu

DATE & TIME: Wednesday 6th October 2004 @ 11.30am

VENUE: Ottershaw Suite, Bournemouth International Hotel, Priory Road, Bournemouth

5,000 leaflets were distributed to conference delegates

ABOVE: Conservative Leader of Westminster City Council, Simon Milton

BELOW: Conservative Leader of Birmingham City Council, Michael Whitby

CPON declared its 2004 Conference Fringe Event an “absolute success”, following a huge turnout.

Conference goers turned out in droves to hear the views of Ed Vaizey (PPC for Wantage), Cllrs. Simon Milton (Leader of Westminster City Council), and Michael Whitby (Leader of Birmingham City Council) on the future of local government.

They were joined by Christine Melson of the IsItFair Council Tax pressure group, and Bob Blackman, the Group Whip of the London Assembly Conservative Group.

ABOVE: Fringe event chairman, Bob Blackman

CPON’s Deputy Chairman (Communications), Richard Ashton, said, “Our fringe meeting was an absolute success in terms of the attendance and the quality of the debate.The theme of our event obviously struck a chord with those that attended. In many respects, grassroot members have more acquaintance with local government than national politics, so the chance to hear the views of those with expert knowledge of local issues was too good an opportunity to miss.

ABOVE: Ed Vaizey, the then Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Wantage

BELOW: Christine Melson, of the IsItFair council tax pressure group

“The response was amazing, we were unable to fit everybody into the conference room! Therefore, I would like to thank Ed Vaizey, Christine Melson, Cllrs. Simon Milton, Michael Whitby and Bob Blackman for giving up their time and attracting such a large audience.

ABOVE: Members of the CPON team (l-r) Matt Barber, Barry Macleod-Cullinane, Morgan Einon, Richard Ashton, Leigh Hooker, Adam Simmonds, Richard Coates