Tory conference format sparks row

Party conferences are really a parade, say some Tories

A leading campaigner for reform of the Conservative Party has railed against the decision to stop constituency associations putting down advance motions for debate at this year's Tory conference.

John Strafford, chairman of the Campaign for Conservative Democracy, said the move was "nonsensical" and showed contempt for ordinary party members.

I don't think really now is the moment to have a big row

Jonathan Parkes
Constituency chairman

The party conference, which starts on 8 October, comes in the wake of the Tories' disastrous election defeat in June and will follow the choice of a new party leader.

Colonel Jonathan Parkes, chairman of Somerset and Frome constituency association, said now was a time for reflection not a row.

Dumbing down

A letter sent to constituency associations said: "The conference committee has decided not to seek motions for debate at the party conference this year.

"It was felt that following the election result and with a new leader being elected in September, the style and tone of this year's conference will be rather different."

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Tory reform campaigner Mr Strafford said the conference was being "dumbed down".

"People want to debate and take part in real politics," he said.

"That does not mean, as this letter goes on to say, 'submit an overview of how you see our philosophy at the start of the 21st century'."

"This could have been written by Private Eye. It is a nonsensical letter."

He said there were vital issues that should be debated and discussed.

"We are going down this road of dumbing down the conference, dumbing down democracy and showing contempt for the ordinary members of the party," added Mr Strafford.

Conference parade

Colonel Parkes said he was irritated by Mr Strafford's comments.

"If the sort of discussion that he's looking for at the party conference was about to take place, I think the tone of his remarks now would reflect very much the tone of debate that would take place."

Such a discussion would generate "more heat than light", argued the constituency chairman.

"I don't think really now is the moment to have a big row. A moment for reflection I think has come."

Colonel Parkes said party conferences were in reality a parade and he did not think very much of use came out of them.

"I really think John Strafford wants to stop being quite so cross about it all."