Spelthorne Conservative Association
Chairman’s Annual Report
Having unexpectedly come back in as Chairman last November, I quickly focussed on ensuring we were well placed to fight the impending General Election. We did not do well in the May local elections losing too many valued councillors, some by a handful votes. This was heart-breaking. It was therefore vitally important we got organised and fought a vigorous GE campaign because we needed to:
- Serve notice to our opponents that we never take our voters for granted in Spelthorne
- Get as much facetime as possible on the doorstep with new or existing voters
- Pin down local opposition activists stopping them campaigning elsewhere
- Organise ourselves and do preparatory groundwork for the May 2021 SCC elections
I am delighted to say that our campaign was a great success locally and nationally. Not only were we able to campaign vigorously on our own patch but were able to provide mutual aid to other constituencies.
In the December election, Spelthorne was the only constituency in Surrey where there was a swing to the Conservatives. We had teams out virtually every evening in support of Kwasi, and we certainly got a good feel for local political sentiment. Our local swing, and of course the national win, gave us all a lift.
Unfortunately, Covid forced us to put our plans on hold. Whilst politics is important, many of us focussed on more urgent and pressing needs within our families, communities, and business. As if we did not have enough on our plate during the pandemic, a group of six Conservative Councillors broke away from the Group on Spelthorne Council causing us to lose our majority. The Conservative Group has pulled together, and we now run a Minority Administration. Your Conservative Councillors are doing all they can to ensure things run as smoothly. Their dedication to the communities they serve never ceases to amaze me.
Whilst things have eased slightly, and we have a better understanding of the virus, the Association has tried to normalise as much as possible. When finally allowed, we pushed ahead with selecting an Approved Candidates List for the forthcoming Surrey County Council elections. We have – in the past few days – received final written guidance on selecting candidates for Divisions. There are a few points of clarification which we are seeking guidance on however we hope to get the final selections under way very soon.
I am delighted we are relaunching CPF, and that we now have a YC branch in Spelthorne. Also, in these days of social distancing and the advent of Zoom calls, we will be having an exciting ‘crowd-puller’ of an event before Christmas. Just as we like to campaign, we enjoy a party or social event (so watch this space).
Finally, I would like to thank all our Association Officers, County and Borough Councillors, and of course Kwasi, for their hard work and dedication this past year. It has been extremely tough on several fronts. Somehow, I doubt it will get easier in the coming months as we face challenges nationally and locally. I am more determined than ever to work with you all to help steer us through the coming months. This is a time for us all to come together, step up, and keep the Conservative flag flying!
Keep going!
Mike
Mike Brennan
Chairman, Spelthorne Conservative Association
