The Bow Group Calls for the Prime Minister to stay on & new leader to be elected at Conservative Party Conference

Following the decision of the British people to leave the European Union and David Cameron’s announcement that he is stepping down as Prime Minister, the Bow Group, Britain’s oldest conservative think tank, calls for the Prime Minister to remain in post until Conservative Party Conference 2016 during which a full election can take place.

The Bow Group, which produced “Ten Steps to Freedom & Democracy in the Conservative Party” in 2013 (below), argues for Conservative Party members to be given the right to vote on their future leader, rather than the appointment of a successor or a decision being made internally in Parliament.

Key Points:

• The Bow Group calls for David Cameron to remain in post until Conservative Party Conference 2016, but no later.
• Conservative Party members must be given the right to elect a future Party leader at the conference
• A minimum of 4 candidates should be allowed to stand in any election
• The Conservative Party needs internal democratic conversation to move forward

Bow Group Chairman, Ben Harris-Quinney said:

“Whilst the Bow Group was one of the first think-tanks to declare its support for Britain leaving the European Union, it is important that the great exercise in democracy that has been the EU Referendum does not lead to the democratic right of the Conservative Party membership being denied in selecting a new leader.

In order for a free and engaging election to take place, candidates need time to prepare and declare their policy positions, and we would advocate a minimum of 4 candidates being allowed to stand before the Party membership to allow a wide range of views to be heard.

There will be a temptation for a predominantly euro-sceptic party to punish Cameron for his stance on the EU and other transgressions counter to conservative ideology, ultimately however, that will prevent the Conservative Party from having the proper internal conversation it now desperately needs to move forward.”

Bow Group Research Fellow, Hector Marchetti said: 

“The Prime Minister has lost this crucial vote on Britain’s membership of the EU and must move on in due course. However, rushing that process would have consequences for both the Conservative Party and for Britain.

The Bow Group calls on David Cameron to finish the job in Downing Street over the next 4 months, and for the Conservative Party to then begin a transition into its new era, with ample preparation, consultation and democracy.

We hope that during such time our 10 Steps to Freedom & Democracy in the Conservative Party can be implemented.”

10 Steps to Party Reform

 The Bow Group, Conservative Voice & Conservative Grassroots

1. Let Volunteers Elect A Party Board Chairman 

2. Empower the National Convention to decide Party and National Policy 

3. Hold a Conservative Annual General Meeting 

4. Push candidate selection entirely down and out to local closed primaries. 

5. Reach out to external conservative groups which share our values 

6. Let Volunteers Decide and Vote on the Conference Agenda

7. Recognise and Reward Volunteers formally

8. Prioritise Online Communications and Digital Democracy in the Party and Nation.

9. Direct dialogue between grassroots members and the 1922 Committee

10. Say no to state funding of political parties, and aim to bring membership income in line with corporate donations within 5 years
 

If you have any thoughts on this, or want to get involved in the Bow Group, please contact secretary@bowgroup.org