Tories lose quarter of members since Cameron


by Newswire    
4:29 am - September 7th 2009

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David Cameron’s charm offensive has failed to attract new members to the Tories – or keep hold of tens of thousands of people who were already in the party when he arrived.

Local Conservative parties have lost almost a quarter of their rank-and-file members since Mr Cameron took over in late 2005.

Although the Tories have enjoyed a huge opinion-poll lead for several months, they have not been able to translate the surge in popularity into an increase in membership on the scale experienced by Labour during Tony Blair’s early years in charge.

The total membership in more than 200 constituency associations – barely a third of the overall number – who provided relevant figures to the elections watchdog fell from 185,000 to 145,000 between December 2005 and December 2008. The constituencies experiencing falls include “safe” seats, the bases of shadow Cabinet members and target seats that must be taken if the Tories are to win the next general election.

…more at The Independent.

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Reader comments


1. Thomas Byrne

Did Blair have an expenses scandal? No.

Is membership across the top three parties going down? Yes.

I really don’t understand the point you’re trying to make, unless you’re taking the story out of context.

2. damon

It makes sense that old fashioned Tories will feel less affinity with Cameron’s party.
And that people will still vote for them even if they no longer feel so enthusiastic about becoming members.
Many of the blue rinse ladies who used to cheer Maggie at conference must be dead by now.
Who would want to join a party that George Osborne was a leading spokesman for?

3. Daniel Hoffmann-Gill

Where have they all gone?

UKIP? BNP? Women’s Institute?

4. Bob B

Only a quarter? Cameron is doing well by comparison.

Between the general elections in 1997 and 2005, Blair lost almost 4 million votes and half the membership of the Labour Party.

In the 2005 election, more of the electorate didn’t vote than the number who voted for Labour candidates.

5. Daniel Hoffmann-Gill

Er…Bob, you’re taking an 8 year window instead of a four year window and you’re skipping an election.

Oh dear.

6. William Hardman

Daniel Hoffmann-Gill Can you add up? See my blog and learn how to add up.

7. Daniel Hoffmann-Gill

Fuck off spammer.


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