CONHOME ARTICLE GENERATES DEBATE

13 December 2008 1 Comment

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ABOVE: A SNIPPET OF RICHARD ASHTON’S CONSERVATIVE HOME ARTICLE

An article written by CPON Chairman, Richard Ashton, has generated plenty of debate, after it was published on Conservativehome. 

The article was in response to recent criticism of political advisors, following the removal of ten Cabinet advisors by the new Conservative administration in Hammersmith & Fulham. 

These advisors had been described as “courtiers and cronies” by one H&F Conservative councillor.

In his article, Richard stated that the advisors, “…were certainly not Political Assistants”, who are, “…a different breed entirely and should not be tarred with the same brush.”

Richard went onto describe the legislation that governs the work of Political Assistants, before putting the case for their, “…important role in supporting councillors to run efficient and effective councils.”

To illustrate his argument, Richard outlined the early policy discussions that were crucial in Gloucestershire’s Conservative-controlled County Council becoming the first council to provide direct funding for an additional 63 police officers in the county.

“While all credit has to go to Gloucestershire Conservatives for their bold vision,” he said, ”It is of immense satisfaction to know that the earliest discussions of this idea took place within CPON’s ranks.”

Richard added that, amongst the ranks of CPON, there were, “…no ‘courtiers or cronies’ that I am aware of, nor are there any ‘jobs for the boys’.”

He touched upon CPON’s “proud independence” from the Conservative Party as proof of this,  describing the network as a, “…forum where Political Assistants are free to discuss policy and ideas free from political interference, so that we may provide advice and guidance to our political masters that is balanced and thorough.”

Richard admitted that he had encountered individuals who disliked Political Assistants, but that this invariably came down to their, “…simple lack of knowledge about our role, or their inherent distrust of council officers.”

In conclusion, he said, “”There is this vague thought that we are using the role as a springboard to scale the Machiavellian heights. It’s utter nonsense.”

 ”The reality is that the vast majority of political assistants are honest, hard-working council employees; who work long hours and provide excellent research support for their local groups, for relatively low pay and no political reward.”

READ RICHARD’S ARTICLE

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CPON GO FOR GOLD WITH DAME KELLY HOLMES

1 October 2007 Leave a comment

Dame Kelly Holmes with CPON Chairman, Richard Ashton

                        RICHARD ASHTON WITH DAME KELLY HOLMES

CPON members were delighted to meet Dame Kelly Holmes at this year’s Conservative Party Conference.

The double-Olympic champion was present to speak at a Sport England fringe event, and afterwards took time out to speak to CPON members.

Richard Ashton, CPON Chairman, said, “It was an absolute delight to meet Dame Kelly. She is a sporting great and an inspiration to us all. She was charming and sincere, and the advice she passed on to us will serve the network well.”

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CPON AT THE CCA CONFERENCE 2007

25 February 2007 Leave a comment

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William Hague with CPON members (l-r) Richard Ashton, Morgan Einon & Richard Newman

CPON made its presence felt at the recent CCA Local Government Conference held in Leeds. 

Many local government delegates, eager to learn about the work of CPON and Political Assistants, visited the network’s stand.

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CPON members (l-r) Richard Ashton, Richard Newman and Morgan Einon with the CCA’s Melanie Larter, Rachel Peart & Annalisa Yeowell

The conference was rounded off in fine style when special guest speaker, William Hague took time out to speak to some of CPON’s members.

Morgan Einon, CPON’s Deputy Chairman (Communications) said, “The CCA Local Government Conference has always been a very important conference for CPON. It gives us the chance to discuss issues at length with our friends from the CCA offices, as well as promote the work of Political Assistants.

“William Hague was at his best and delivered a fantastic after dinner speech, and we were delighted he took the time to come and speak to CPON’s representatives afterwards. It was a great conference and our strong friendship with the CCA continues to flourish. I’d like to thank them for their continued support of CPON.”

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BORIS’ ‘JAMIE OLIVER’ SPEECH SPARKS FRENZY AT CPON EVENT

3 October 2006 Leave a comment

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WAT-ER PERFORMANCE! BORIS CAPITIVATES THE AUDIENCE

Boris Johnson was at the epicentre of a media frenzy yesterday, following his speech at CPON’s fringe event.

In the absence of any apparent newsworthy items from the Conservative Party Conference, Boris received widespread publicity after appearing critical of Jamie Oliver’s attempts to introduce healthier school meals.

Mr. Johnson declared that his campaign was doomed to fail for as long as chips, burgers and other junk foods were available to pupils.

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

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

To emphasise the point, Mr. Johnson criticised some parents for actively selling junk food to pupils outside schools where healthier food had been introduced, a practice he vehemently opposes.   

 CPON’s 2006 conference event livened up what many political commentators have so far considered a quiet 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.

However, the main talking point surrounded Mr. Johnson’s views on Jamie Oliver’s campaign

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’s fringe events are a platform for politicians to espouse their opinions on the issues of the day. It is not for CPON to condemn or condone their views.

 

“We were delighted that Mr. Johnson accepted our invitation to speak at the event, and we have no regrets whatsoever about the subsequent publicity his speech created. He thrilled the audience with a speech that covered every aspect of politics, 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.”

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CPON DOING VALUABLE WORK – BORIS JOHNSON

26 September 2006 Leave a comment

The work of CPON and its membership has received a glowing endorsement from Boris Johnson MP, just days before he is set to speak at the Network’s conference fringe event in Bournemouth.

Commenting on his forthcoming engagement, the Shadow Higher Education Minister, said, “I welcome the opportunity to speak at CPON’s fringe meeting. I value the job the network’s young membership is doing to support Conservative Groups across the country, and I’m looking forward to outlining my vision of Conservatism in the 21st Century.”

Richard Ashton, CPON’s Chairman, said, “I thank Boris for his kind comments about the valuable role CPON members perform across the country, and we equally look forward to listening to his vision in Bournemouth. Make no mistake, our fringe event is going to prove one of the most popular at the conference, all thanks to the presence of Boris.”

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BORIS JOHNSON ANNOUNCED AS SPEAKER AT CPON CONFERENCE EVENT

1 September 2006 Leave a comment

The Conservative Political Officers’ network is pleased to announce that Boris Johnson will be the network’s guest speaker at its annual Fringe Event next month.

The theme of the event will be ’Conservatism in the 21st Century’ and will be chiared by Cllr. Merrick Cockell, the Leader of Kensington & Chelsea.

CPON Chairman, Richard Ashton, said, “We are absolutely delighted that Boris has agreed to speak at our event. His is an extremely popular politician, and with good reason. I have no doubt that our event will prove to be as popular as ever, and I thank Boris for generously giving his time.”

The event is taking place on Monday 2nd October at 4pm. The venue for the event is the Priory Room at the Bourne Hall Hotel, Priory Road, Bournemouth – just one minute away from the BIC.

Food, wine and a cash bar will be provided

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POLITICAL ASSISTANTS PRAISED BY JOSEPH ROWNTREE

18 March 2006 Leave a comment

The Conservative Political Officers’ Network has welcomed an influential report, by the Joseph Rowntreee Foundation, that describes the appointment of political assistants as an ‘important development’ for political groups across the country.

The report, entitled, “Frontline councillors and decision making” was released this week, and claims that many political groups have found political assistants to be an ‘important development’ in aiding the improvement of group processes such as; casework, group communications and training.

The report also recommends the appointment of political assistants, as one option that would enable political groups to achieve objectives such as:

  • Ensuring non-executive councillors are well informed about group policy and the procedures for developing policies within group;
  • Creating an effective dialogue with individual councillors to allow input into group decisions;
  • Receiving regular briefings from senior officers;
  • Allowing the flow of information within the group;
  • Ensuring councillors have appropriate support knowledge and skills to participate in group decision making; and,
  • Enabling councillors to have positive attitudes towards the group decision-making process.

Richard Ashton, Chairman of CPON, said, “I welcome the report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and I completely endorse its findings in respect of political assistants.

“This report confirms what political groups of all distinctions across the country already know, that political assistants are an important addition to the decision making process at local government level.

“Not only do political assistants offer high class administrative support, they also act as invaluable research and advisory professionals; ensuring that local political groups are able to make the best decisions for the public, and that Council Taxpayers get better value for money from their respective local authorities.”

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CPON EVENT PROVES A WINNER

7 October 2005 Leave a comment

CPON are celebrating another conference success, with this year’s fringe event drawing in a huge audience. Conference delegates came in their droves to hear key Conservatives explain how they’ve successfully fought elections.

Three newly-elected MPs passed on their knowledge of electioneering:

  • Ed Vaizey, who increased the Conservative majority in Wantage;
  • Justine Greening, who regained Putney for the Conservatives with a 6.5 per cent swing; and,
  • Peter Bone, who won Wellingborough by just 687 votes. Peter’s election win was all the sweeter, as his campaign manager was CPON’s Vice President, Leigh Hooker. 

From a local government perspective Cllr. Barry Dare, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, explained how his Conservative Group were able to increase their numbers from just ten in 1993 to take control in May 2005. The final hurdle had been cleared with the help of his Political Assistant, and CPON’s Legal Lead, Richard Coates, whom Cllr. Dare described as a ‘star’.

 

Cllr. Alex Williams of Trafford MBC made up the panel of speakers, and was able to relay how the Conservatives were able to storm to control in 2004, regaining the Conservatives’ first Greater Manchester local authority in a decade.

 

Chairman of the debate was Cllr. Merrick Cockell, Conservative Leader of Kensington & Chelsea. Cllr. Cockell added his own opinions throughout the debate, and chaired the event with great aplomb.

 

CPON Chairman, Richard Ashton, said, “With it being General Election year it seemed a appropriate theme for our fringe event. The Conservatives may have lost the big one, but across the country they have continued to win elections by using pro-active methods to get their message across to the electorate.

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RICHARD ASHTON ELECTED AS NEW CHAIRMAN OF CPON

1 August 2005 Leave a comment

Richard Ashton is the new Chairman of the Conservative Political Officers’ Network.

In his first address to the network’s membership, Richard thanked CPON for the personal support it had provided in his own professional day-to-day role, calling the network a ‘constant source of comfort’.

He praised the network’s President, Philip Wilson, for, “…his effortless professionalism as our President.”

Richard stated that CPON’s success came from its political autonomy and the dedication of its membership. He said, “CPON’s future success ultimately lies in the hands of the entire membership. Our aims have always been to provide a forum for the membership to honestly debate the issues of the day without fear of prejudice or rejection; to provide a fast and effective service for the dissemination of information; and to act as an extended family for ALL our membership – independent of any political paymaster.

“I am absolutely proud that we have been able to achieve our aims completely on the back of the membership’s support and dedication, without requiring the help of any outside body. Only CPON members influence the network and its future.”

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