Conservative Way Forward
Encyclopedia
Conservative Way Forward (CWF) is a British
campaigning group that operates within the Conservative Party
. It is a Thatcherite
group in outlook and agenda, and Baroness Thatcher
herself is the President.
CWF was founded in 1991 to "defend and build upon the achievements of the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher’s leadership, and to adapt the principles of her era in government to modern concerns and challenges".
Their core stated aim is "to provide a forum for all those who share our philosophy, from Parliament to the constituencies and helping in the eventual restoration of people's freedom and rights". They organise speaker meetings (like their Forthright debate series), seminars and receptions are regular features of their activities, supported and attended by Government Ministers past and future.
Although still a predominantly Thatcherite grouping, CWF has in recent years, with the decline of the left-leaning Tory Reform Group, become an integral and mainstream part of the Conservative Party
. In all leadership elections since 1997, CWF has always publicly supported the candidate who ultimately won. During the 2005 leadership election, CWF's famous "Nine Principles" were hailed by David Cameron
as the "common ground" of Conservative Party policy-making. The Principles are:
Nationhood Each nation must be free to determine its policies to the benefit of its citizens.
Freedom For responsible individuals, guaranteed by the rule of law administered by and independent judiciary and minimal state activity.
Democracy The exercise of political power, with the consent of the people - through regular elections on the basis of universal suffrage and a secret ballot.
Security The first duty of the state is to provide external and internal defence of the citizenry
Community Defined by geography, tradition, inheritance and sense of identity
Capitalism The most effective system of wealth creation. Free markets are blind to gender, race, class or religion.
Choice For individuals must be maximised - even if the state accepts responsibility for provision of a safety net.
Deregulation Domestic and global - to maximise freedom of choice and individual responsibility in an improved society.
Enterprise Fostered by a low tax, low inflation economy - with currency exchange rates determined by the free market.
It is run by a Board of Trustees and an appointed Executive Committee.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
campaigning group that operates within the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
. It is a Thatcherite
Thatcherism
Thatcherism describes the conviction politics, economic and social policy, and political style of the British Conservative politician Margaret Thatcher, who was leader of her party from 1975 to 1990...
group in outlook and agenda, and Baroness Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
herself is the President.
CWF was founded in 1991 to "defend and build upon the achievements of the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher’s leadership, and to adapt the principles of her era in government to modern concerns and challenges".
Their core stated aim is "to provide a forum for all those who share our philosophy, from Parliament to the constituencies and helping in the eventual restoration of people's freedom and rights". They organise speaker meetings (like their Forthright debate series), seminars and receptions are regular features of their activities, supported and attended by Government Ministers past and future.
Although still a predominantly Thatcherite grouping, CWF has in recent years, with the decline of the left-leaning Tory Reform Group, become an integral and mainstream part of the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
. In all leadership elections since 1997, CWF has always publicly supported the candidate who ultimately won. During the 2005 leadership election, CWF's famous "Nine Principles" were hailed by David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
as the "common ground" of Conservative Party policy-making. The Principles are:
Nationhood Each nation must be free to determine its policies to the benefit of its citizens.
Freedom For responsible individuals, guaranteed by the rule of law administered by and independent judiciary and minimal state activity.
Democracy The exercise of political power, with the consent of the people - through regular elections on the basis of universal suffrage and a secret ballot.
Security The first duty of the state is to provide external and internal defence of the citizenry
Community Defined by geography, tradition, inheritance and sense of identity
Capitalism The most effective system of wealth creation. Free markets are blind to gender, race, class or religion.
Choice For individuals must be maximised - even if the state accepts responsibility for provision of a safety net.
Deregulation Domestic and global - to maximise freedom of choice and individual responsibility in an improved society.
Enterprise Fostered by a low tax, low inflation economy - with currency exchange rates determined by the free market.
It is run by a Board of Trustees and an appointed Executive Committee.
Honorary Positions
- Honorary President: Baroness ThatcherMargaret ThatcherMargaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
LG OM PC FRS - Vice President: Christopher ChopeChristopher ChopeChristopher Robert Chope OBE is a British barrister and Conservative politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Christchurch.-Early life:...
OBE, former Transport Minister and former Chairman of Conservative Way Forward - Vice President: Lord ParkinsonCecil ParkinsonCecil Parkinson, Baron Parkinson, PC , is a British Conservative politician and former Cabinet Minister.-Early life:...
PC, former Party Chairman and Trade and Industry Secretary - Vice President: Lord TebbitNorman TebbitNorman Beresford Tebbit, Baron Tebbit, CH, PC , is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he served in the Cabinet from 1981 to 1987 as Secretary of State for Employment...
CHOrder of the Companions of HonourThe Order of the Companions of Honour is an order of the Commonwealth realms. It was founded by King George V in June 1917, as a reward for outstanding achievements in the arts, literature, music, science, politics, industry or religion....
PC, former Party Chairman - Honorary Chairman: Don Porter CBE, former Chairman of the National Convention of the Conservative Party and Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party Board
The Executive Committee
- General Secretary: Mark Allatt
- Karen Allen - Events
- David Berens - Legal and Reagan Statue
- Paul Bristow - Youth
- Conor BurnsConor BurnsConor Burns is a British Conservative Party politician. He was elected as the Member of Parliament for Bournemouth West at the 2010 general election.-Early life:...
, MP for Bournemouth West - Parliamentary Liaison and Candidate Development - Rahul Chakkara - Special Projects
- Margaret Chellingworth - Campaigning
- Jon Dobinson - Special Projects
- Lucinda Dobinson - Social Media
- Michelle Donelan - Events
- Jennie EliasJennie EliasJennie Elias is a politician in the United Kingdom. Having been appointed by David Cameron in December 2005 she currently serves as one of the Treasurers of the Conservative Party. Previously she served as Vice-Chairman of the Party during the period of Michael Howard's leadership...
- Reagan Statue - Dominic Graham de Montrose - Membership
- Brian Hamill - Campaigning
- Daniel Hamilton - Events
- Sarah Macken - Sponsorship
- Chris Muller - Policy Unit
- Emma Pidding - Events
- David Scott - Enterprise Academy
- Aru Sivananthan - Enterprise Academy
- Russell Walters - Special Projects
- Matt Warman - Internal Communications
- Mark Worthington OBE - Presidential Liaison
Regional Co-ordinators
CWF has a regional co-ordinator in every region, who organise local events and recruit new members. They are;- Steve Bell - South East
- Tara Douglas-Home - London
- Paul Bunyan - North East
- Lucinda Dobinson - Northern Ireland
- Anthony Landes - North West
- Tony Hilder - South West
- Lee Rowley - East Midlands
- Craig Tracey - West Midlands
- Thomas Turrell - Eastern
- Geoff Pickering - Yorkshire and Humberside