Shapps Gets It Right - Get Rid Of The Non-Campaigners

Grant Shapps has got it right. Get rid of the non-campaigners.

An internal spat has erupted today in the Conservative Party when two of Theresa May's aides were dropped from the Conservative Party's candidates list because they did not campaign during the Rochester and Strood By-election. Their excuse, of not going because they were unsure of whether their role in government clashed with their role in Conservatives, was weak. The Newark by-election had previously proven that parliamentary aides can campaign for the Conservatives in their spare time.

It is likely that Mrs May's aide's just couldn't be bothered to campaign against Mark Reckless. Hardly the hallmark of a good Conservative Party activist never mind someone who wants to be a parliamentary candidate. Shapps is absolutely right to kick out those who don't want to bring about a Conservative majority government by hard work on the ground.

Shapp's tough but fair action contrasts with his predecessor Baroness Warsi who launched a 'purge of the right wing' on the Conservative Party candidates list. This was a stupid idea to 'purify' the Conservative Party resulting in only kicking out of great talent.

One of those right-wingers removed from the list by Warsi was Mark Clarke, who stood in Tooting at the 2010 General Election. However, Clarke went on to create the fantastic RoadTrip2015 movement. RoadTrip2015 has seen mass activist days across the country with up to 600 campaigners help out in target seats. Road Trip, along with Team2015, is seen also seen as one of the main reasons for the Conservative victory at the Newark by-election. RoadTrip2015 is and will continue to play a key part in the Conservatives attempt to form a majority Government.

Clarke was in agreement with Shapps actions earlier today on Facebook. Merit should come before being puritanical about Conservative ideology.

Warsi got rid of a lot of the hardworking campaigners during her time as Party Chairman. It is good to see that Shapps is encouraging campaigning, promoting talent, and getting rid of the deadwood.

Clacton RoadTrip [Video]

On Sunday the Conservatives struck back at Douglas Carswell. Over 150 Conservatives activists braved the heavy rain to campaign for Giles Watling, who will hopefully replace Carswell as MP for Clacton on Thursday. We reached all parts of the constituency canvassing residents and delivering patriotic leaflets to the people in what is a very beautiful part of Essex. The weather was the only downside, but whilst UKIP stayed in doors the Conservatives worked hard. Let's hope all this effort pays off.

Conference RoadTrip [VIDEO]

At Conference the Conservatives didn't just party. Around 750 activists went out to the seat of Birmingham Northfield to deliver thousands of surveys on behalf of Rachel Maclean, the amazing Conservative candidate in this marginal seat.

It was a great, sunny afternoon where we put in lots of work to make sure the Conservatives take Birmingham Northfield as well as build up the momentum to form a majority government. The Labour party does not have this campaigning momentum. During their conference a similar campaign day in a target seat had only 23 activists. Pitiful compared to 750 Tories in a large amount of coaches.

David Cameron is so pleased with #RoadTrip2015 he stopped by to give his thanks for all our work. The Prime Minister is so pleased that thousands of Conservatives up and down the country are prepared to travel hundreds of miles to bring about a majority Government.

Enjoy the Video.

#RoadTrip2015 to Harlow

Whilst half of CF was at the EYC conference this weekend the real Conservatives were out campaigning for the great Robert Halfon MP. #Sound. The re-election of Rob Halfon is very important to the RoadTrip crowd because he is genuinely an amazing local MP and national campaigner. A true right-winger and someone who cares.

Newly elected CF Deputy Political Chair, Stephen Canning, was getting ready for a long day out helping Rob.

In Harlow and fuelling up for a day with #Roadtrip2015 and @halfon4harlowMP. pic.twitter.com/lYRdpHiE3h
— Stephen Canning (@Canning_) September 6, 2014

People had come far and wide to help out Rob in Harlow.

just leaving Nottingham to help @halfon4harlowMP on the harlow #roadtrip2015
— Elliott Johnson (@thingsEJsays) September 6, 2014

On my way to #Harlow with @RoadTrip2015 activists to campaign for the excellent @halfon4harlowMP. #5moreyears
— Emily Burditt (@ecburditt) September 6, 2014

We were out again delivering copies of the Harlow Sun, which keeps all the residents up to date with the good news going on in their area. Rob had some great quotes in the paper from the Prime Minister saying how much of an asset he is.

#conservative activists out all over #harlow thanks to @RoadTrip2015 working hard for @halfon4harlowMP best MP Harlow ever! #roadtrip2015
— Andrew Johnson (@HarlowTory) September 6, 2014

Bundling papers in not so sunny Harlow #RoadTrip2015 pic.twitter.com/nxJEMs9Hb3
— Marina Muttik (@InazumaMarina) September 6, 2014

Just finished a morning's worth of leafleting for @RoadTrip2015. Off to lunch now, ready to spend the afternoon keeping Harlow blue.
— Charlie Reddin (@creddin788) September 6, 2014

Lunch in Harlow didn't disappoint, it was one of the best that has been had on a RoadTrip. There was also some great cakes.

#Roadtrip2015 and @HarlowTories cupcakes! Nomnomnom! pic.twitter.com/xebu1jkk7l
— Stephen Canning (@Canning_) September 6, 2014

Lunch with @halfon4harlowMP at a @RoadTrip2015 is always special! pic.twitter.com/8xFnzqQ5Lw
— RoadTrip 2015 (@RoadTrip2015) September 6, 2014

@thingsEJsays takes a break from campaigning with @halfon4harlowMP pic.twitter.com/QWXRA5WXnA
— RoadTrip 2015 (@RoadTrip2015) September 6, 2014

Rob then gave a great speech thanking us all for coming. Rob is one of the kindest MPs in the country and he showed this over lunch.

.@halfon4harlowMP talking to #Roadtrip2015 activists in #Harlow! pic.twitter.com/OnKhwdyBsY
— RoadTrip 2015 (@RoadTrip2015) September 6, 2014

At Harlow campaign HQ with the wonderful @halfon4harlowMP. #RoadTrip2015 pic.twitter.com/Vjjfl3MYhK
— Alexandra Paterson (@alexHpaterson) September 6, 2014

And then we went out for the all important photos.

A great crowd here in Harlow campaigning for @halfon4harlowMP. #Roadtrip2015 #Team2015 pic.twitter.com/QGs0sqWwoZ
— Stephen Canning (@Canning_) September 6, 2014

#Roadtrip2025 activist @aliceleadon eith @halfon4harlowMP pic.twitter.com/aId9NAopJR
— RoadTrip 2015 (@RoadTrip2015) September 6, 2014

@halfon4harlowMP @RoadTrip2015 Britain's Future pic.twitter.com/bcb1fDM5Uk
— Emily Cross (@EmilyE1986) September 6, 2014

I am the tall one on the left: @RoadTrip2015 #Harlow pic.twitter.com/qcxOcElg3o
— Robert Halfon MP (@halfon4harlowMP) September 6, 2014

The photos outside were greeted by supportive beeps of horns from a number of drivers who then waved at us. Everyone wants to keep Harlow blue and Rob as an MP.

Sam and #ThingsElliottSays also got a special photo with Rob for Jane Hunt in Nottingham South. Jane has come out and backed Rob's great campaign to 'Stop The Hospital Car Parking Rip Off' and Rob has kindly offered help. Thanks Rob.

It was then off to do more campaigning for Rob in the afternoon.

There were however some naughty gnomes spotted in Harlow by activists.

And then to the pub.

Thanks goes to the organisers and Rob Halfon for putting on a great day for us all.

Fantastic day out campaigning w/@RoadTrip2015 & @halfon4harlowMP in #Harlow. Many thanks for the great hospitality from Rob & local Tories
— Carol Freeman (@CalFreeman) September 6, 2014

@PeterDCXW @halfon4harlowMP @Conservatives excellent, Robert is one of our finest MP's
— Susan Hall (@Councillorsuzie) September 6, 2014

Join The Harlow Road Trip

Are you free this Saturday? Well if you're make sure you get down to Harlow to support the fantastic Robert Halfon MP for a second Harlow Road Trip.

Rob is a brilliant MP. This alone is bringing many people to come across the country to help him. Not only is Rob one of the friendliest MPs in Parliament he has made many lasting changes to this country. Without Rob petrol prices would be significantly more, hospital car parking would cost you an arm and a leg, but most importantly bingo would be  more expensive. Rob Halfon is an amazing MP for the locals as well. He always goes the extra mile and then some more, people have said this to me many times on the door steps of Harlow. Rob has to get back in in 2015. If not all his good work will cease.

BINGO!!!!

However if you're not convinced yet do not worry this RoadTrip has extras. On top of a free curry, free bar and massive party Rob has his own signature hospitality trait. Free cigars. So as well as a massive party you can look like Fidel Castro and scare your doctor at the same time. What more can people want in their lives?

Kick off time is 11am at Harlow Town train station. You can get tickets on eventbrite and see more details on Facebook. Make sure you're there.

Come support the best dressed MP in the House of Commons.

Brighton RoadTrip [VIDEO]

300 Tories descended upon Brighton on Saturday to campaign for the brilliant Simon Kirby MP. As well as being a fantastic MP, Simon Kirby is well known for being the best dressed Member of Parliament and having amazing hair. It was a great day and a full report will be up later. For now enjoy the latest RoadTrip2015 video.

It's A Sad Day, But Don't Count The Conservatives Out

Today has been a sad day for the Conservative movement with the defection of Douglas Carswell to UKIP. People on the libertarian right-wing of are shocked, filled with disbelief, and are quite sad at Carswell's departure. Whatever banner he is standing under now his ideology is right. #ThingsElliottSays has shown admiration for Douglas Carswell on a number of occasions and is saddened by his departure.

The Conservatives are sad to see Carswell defect.

But clearly Douglas has forgotten about how these principles can be implemented and has joined UKIP, even though they are now a far cry from the libertarianism he represents.This country needs the Conservatives to win the next general election because if not we'll have to suffer the most left-wing government since the 1970s. What Douglas has sadly done is abandoned this position and made what he wants a lot harder to achieve.

And so to cut a long story short there is going to be a by-election in Clacton. This will be a very hard fight, much harder than Newark. But thank god we had Newark because the Conservatives now have a winning campaign strategy. Furthermore, even though we won that by-election there were many errors made which cost us thousands of votes. These however have now been learnt. Because #ThingsElliottSays was the Nottinghamshire CF Chairman at the time of Newark he knows about these mistakes and that they have now been fixed.

#ThingsElliottSays and Nottingham peeps in Newark.

CCHQ has learnt a lot of lessons in the way it runs by-elections and campaigns against UKIP. Despite what the national media made out and what it looked llike to the ordinary activist. It was not all plain sailing Newark for the party. There were several errors made in the way campaigning was organised but CCHQ has now done something about this. We now know how to make the waters smoother when it comes to the campaigning machine.

The Conservatives campaign is going to be much more well oiled in Clacton.

The Party will also try and get many more people to come. I suspect there will be more visits made by those on the PAB, more visits by committed Conservative MPs (there are a lot in East Anglia), and more importantly a Party Conference beforehand to rally even more Conservatives to the cause.

Expect to see these chaps out and about a lot more.

RoadTrip is also going to be much bigger as well. I expect there to be a sizeable increase in the 600 RoadTrippers who went to Newark. CCHQ now puts a lot of energy into CCHQ for starters. What is more the RoadTrip now has a united #TeamPaterson in the CF national exec. It is almost priceless to have a CF 100% committed to RoadTrip2015. Long gone are the days of petulant girls or people living in Dubai throwing spanners in the works.

Carswell is odds on to win this by-election but there are plenty of insider reasons why the Conservatives can actually win. #ThingsElliottSays can't wait to go for another seaside RoadTrip and have a cigar from Robert Halfon MP.

CF And RoadTrip Get Signed Up Over 1000 Activists To Fight The Clacton By-election

The CF National Exec and RoadTrip2015 have responded quickly to Douglas Carswell's defection earlier today with the creation of a 'RoadTrip2015 Clacton Volunteer Force' group on Facebook. This quick action has resulted in over 1000 Conservatives joining the group to make sure the Conservatives hold this seat.

In the first two hours of this group being set up 1,000 activists had already signed up for a RoadTrip to the Clacton by-election. At 7pm this figure had rose to 1,325 Conservative activists. Numbers have already gone past the 600 members of 'the people's army'* of Conservatives that went on the Newark RoadTrip.

Alexandra Paterson, the new CF Chairman, has already told #ThingsElliottSays "I'm absolutely delighted that so many CF members have already committed to supporting the Party in Clacton with RoadTrip2015. We need to show that if the British people want to have a say in an EU referendum, have a growing economy and better public services, they need to vote Conservative."

RoadTrip2015 was credited with playing a large part in the 7,500 Conservative majority in Newark. CF and RoadTrip will play a much larger part in the Clacton by-election

*The name was created in response to Nigel Farage saying he would muster 1000 UKIP activists to form a 'people's army' for the Newark by-election. UKIP never came close too this figure in reality.

HarlowRoadTrip Mark II

RoadTrip2015 is going back to Harlow* to help out one of the best MPs in the country, Robert Halfon.

Road Trip went to Harlow in April earlier this year. Even though numbers were slightly below the now common 130 at RoadTrips, this was one of the best RoadTrips. The curry was very good, the letterboxes of Harlow were very easy too open and everyone had a really good time partying afterwards.

But one of the best things about going to Harlow is of course Rob Halfon, who has recently received a promotion and now works with the Chancellor. Rob is a top class campaigning Conservative. He has had great success getting the Government to cut and freeze fuel duty and number of times. Furthermore Bingo tax has been cut in half due to Rob's sterling work. Now it seems that Rob is getting somewhere with his plan to 'stop the hospital car parking rip off' (there'll be an article on this later). Rob Halfon is a top Tory and he needs to get back in again in 2015, Harlow is a pretty marginal seat.

RoadTrip is thus going back again Harlow to help out Rob as a thank you for his work and to make sure we have a Conservative Government come May 2015. The Road Trip will be on 6th September all details are available here.

*Dubbed the 'spiritual home of Roadtrip2015'.

CFers Cry Out For More Road Trips

If there was a CF poll I'm sure the most popular activity for young Conservatives would come out as attending Road Trips. This political campaigning phenomenon works because it is fun. It is hard to turn down a free curry, free bar and party. People just want more and more.

#ThingsElliottSays spoke to Allrik Birch who said "road trips are a great way to meet new people, and introduce them to campaigning in a fun and social way - I've been to 5 so far and they really seem to make a difference. I intend to go to as many roadtrips as possible between now and the general election - we need to win in 2015, and this is the way to achieve that"

Road Trip in Enfield.

A similar reaction came from James Price "I can't wait for the RoadTrips to resume after their summer hiatus. I've been involved in various political groups for a while, but Road Trip is a breath of fresh air. It's also helped me get apathetic mates involved in Politics and the Tory Party for the first time, by mixing important issues with a lot of fun. I can't recommend them highly enough. We need more."

Road Trip to Chester and Cheadle.

CFer members can now get there wish. RoadTrip2015 has launched a survey which asks RoadTrippers where they would next want to go. This come as the Road Trip committee starts a mass expansion where weekend campaign session become very common.

A Road Trip officer has told #ThingsElliottSays "With every RoadTrip we have held so far, demand and interest have increased within the the Conservative family. Regular RoadTrippers and newly joined activists alike are now encouraging us for more dates and locations. Fortunately, the next RoadTrip is on its way. We want to hear from our activists to help us continue this journey and tell us where they would like RoadTrip2015 to visit."

Post Road Trip meeting photo.

Fill out the survey here.

Exclusive: 'Road Trip Is The Future' - Senior Conservatives

The Conservative Party has always had a problem with campaigning. It is often done slightly dysfunctionally and in the safest areas. But the highest level of the party have now come to realise that 'Road Trip is the future' as it has transformed the orthodox view on campaigning.

#ThingsElliottSays sources have reported that senior officials in the Conservatives are impressed with the revolutionary RoadTrip2015. The phrase of the month is 'Road Trip is the future'. 

Road Trip in Harlow with the legendary Rob Halfon MP.

It is not hard to see why this is. No other campaign organisation can get at least 100 activists to travel to any part of the country. No other campaigning organisation is 100% grass-roots organised, a political parties dream. No other campaign organised has such success in changing the minds of voters. If you want evidence of the impact of RoadTrip2015 look to the marginal seat of Great Yarmouth where polling shows the Conservatives are now first on 34%. And this poll was carried out around a month after Road Trip went to Great Yarmouth. It's more than co-incidental. 

Road Trip in Great Yarmouth

But RoadTrip2015 does still face some problems according to those at the top of the Party. RoadTrip2015 attracts a lot of activists, far much more than the 6-20 people Labour have been getting on their centrally planned 'national campaign days'. But there is potential for RoadTrips to double or maybe even triple the number of attendees. Road Trip is mainly made up of CFers and yet out of the thousands of them of them up and down a country only the most active fraction ever attend. No one can expect everyone in CF to go on Road Trips but CF as an organisation with the ability to contact thousands of people up and down the country hasn't really been pushing RoadTrip2015. 

The Conservatives are out campaigning Labour by far.

Understandably the party wants this to change. The Party is looking for CF to evolve to work with RoadTrip. They want the head honchos of CF to be an integral part of RoadTrip2015. These top level Conservatives are absolutely right for once. We need to win the general election and the best weapons we have must be used. Working with Road Trip will also be very easy. Road Trip campaigns, parties and helps people get experience with the Tories. Everything CF should be doing but at the moment isn't covering all bases.

If we want CF to do its job and not become an irrelevance we need to embrace the future and make sure the CF executive is totally behind those helping RoadTrip2015.

Road Trip in Enfield.

#TubeTrip2015 in Croydon

Yet again an army of Conservative activists came together over the weekend to spread the Conservative message to Croydon, hopefully we used 'long term economic plan' enough to please Mr Crosby. 105 Tory activists went to help Gavin Barwell in Croydon Central with the promise of a free bar, free curry and a great party atmosphere. This time however it was for the new sister organisation of RoadTrip2015, Tube Trip.

Tube Trip is designed to get those London CFers who dare not leave zone 1 out and about helping in marginal seats across the capital. So everyone got prepared for the train journey.

Vital preparations for today's #TubeTrip2015 in #Croydon to support @GavinBarwellMP pic.twitter.com/E27mkrA2Bp
— Tom Hatton (@tomhatton1) July 19, 2014

@GavinBarwellMP On my way to join #TubeTrip2015
— Emma Pidding (@EmmaPidding) July 19, 2014

Looking forward to campaigning in #CroydenCenral, to help re-elect @GavinBarwellMP. #TubeTrip2015 @TubeTrip2015
— Shaun Dias (@DiasShaun) July 19, 2014

Croydon here I come #TubeTrip2015
— Sarah Cooper (@slcoop_) July 19, 2014

Even Gavin Barwell MP got some twitter action as he was welcoming us at East Croydon Station.

Looking forward to activists from across London & the South East coming to #Croydon tomorrow to support me #TubeTrip2015 #BackBarwell2015
— Gavin Barwell MP (@GavinBarwellMP) July 18, 2014

And so the first session began.

First @TubeTrip2015 selfie w/ @thingsEJsays @Canning_ ready to campaign for @GavinBarwellMP #tubetrip2015 #croydon pic.twitter.com/CYgbYH25ln
— Hannah Rawbone (@hannahrawbone) July 19, 2014

Just canvassed a house entirely in Russian...in Croydon. Glad to have @shteffys translate for me! #TubeTrip2015
— Tom Hatton (@tomhatton1) July 19, 2014

Campaigning for @GavinBarwellMP in #Croydon this afternoon. #TubeTrip2015 pic.twitter.com/RyOzIpbfuT
— TubeTrip 2015 (@TubeTrip2015) July 19, 2014

Converted a @UkIP voter to @Conservatives #winning #backbarwell2015 #tubetrip2015
— Sarah-jane Sewell (@sarahjanesewell) July 19, 2014

Canvassing in Croydon today for #TubeTrip2015. Great weather for it and an even better turnout.
— Matthew E. O'Flynn (@MEOFlynn) July 19, 2014

We then went back for our first break with biscuits and nice cooling coke, it was very hot. It was at this point we were joined by the Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling. So of course there were selfies galore.

Great to see Chris Grayling at today's @TubeTrip2015 canvassing in Croydon! #TubeTrip2015 pic.twitter.com/W3KcyKVCZV
— Tyler Bell (@tjdbell) July 19, 2014

#JusticeSelfie #TubeTrip2015 @TubeTrip2015 @ShadesofGraylin pic.twitter.com/Q2mMeM3Dox
— Shaun Dias (@DiasShaun) July 19, 2014

Even Gavin Barwell got in on the action, sort of.

Great to help out @GavinBarwellMP yesterday in Croydon on the first Tube Trip! #TubeTrip2015 pic.twitter.com/AWUcHwxEDj
— Callum Warriner (@CallumWarriner) July 20, 2014

After some light refreshments we got the all important picture to scare the Lefties.

Then Chris Grayling gave a speech, thank god he allowed us to go into the shade.

Chris Grayling addressing the crowd. Crucially, in the shade! #TubeTrip2015 pic.twitter.com/j6t5Acyqbd
— TubeTrip 2015 (@TubeTrip2015) July 19, 2014

Wise words from the Justice Secretary. Proud to see so many activists in #Croydon for #TubeTrip2015 to #BackBarwell pic.twitter.com/qK9x5xL0U5
— Samir Dwesar (@SamirDwesar) July 19, 2014

And then it was off again to canvass the good people of Croydon.

Hi sir do you have any local issues for your MP? Not unless he can deal with me wife! LOL #TubeTrip2015 @TubeTrip2015
— Shaun Dias (@DiasShaun) July 19, 2014

No one can rain on @TubeTrip2015 's parade #TubeTrip2015 #RoadTrip2015 pic.twitter.com/eiCmrahU0F
— Hannah Rawbone (@hannahrawbone) July 19, 2014

Nothing is weirder than the sensation of a dog licking your fingertips through a letterbox .#tubetrip2015
— Stephen Vallance II (@VALLANCE777) July 19, 2014

Getting my suntan on in Croydon, campaigning for @GavinBarwellMP with @TubeTrip2015. Ok, sunburn, but still totally worth it. #TubeTrip2015
— Oliver Cooper (@OliverCooper) July 19, 2014

...@OliverCooper is now stealing my sun cream. Well, I made him pay a pound. #capitalism #winning #tubetrip2015
— aj (@antoniaking) July 19, 2014

Enjoyed campaigning for @GavinBarwellMP in #Croydon today. Well done to #TubeTrip2015 organisers. @RoadTrip2015 pic.twitter.com/DavpwrZP8l
— Carl Thomson (@CllrCarlThomson) July 19, 2014

Great afternoon out in #Croydon for GavinBarwell #BackBarwell 2015 #TubeTrip2015 with @EmmaPidding and Graham Postles sun eventually shone
— Margaret Bird (@MargaretBird3) July 19, 2014

And so to the free bar, free curry and partying afterwards.

Nothing beats a #TubeTrip2015 for the nightlife #Croydon
— Geoffrey Brooking (@Geoffbrooking) July 19, 2014

My celebrity selfie of course! @OliverCooper #TubeTrip2015 @TubeTrip2015 pic.twitter.com/0rbcUZUYOv
— Myles Longfield (@myleslongfield) July 19, 2014

Chicken Karahi and free bar in Croydon followed by Tiger! Thanks #TubeTrip2015
— Timmins (@michaeljtimmins) July 20, 2014

But there was one last score to settle. Yes Mr Hoffman, Sam Armstrong is now the only person to have gone on all the Road Trips. Sam is king.

Congrats to @SamWArmstrong: the last man standing thats gone to all 8 @RoadTrip2015 campaign days so far. #winning pic.twitter.com/qWHxoHV2T2
— Oliver Cooper (@OliverCooper) July 19, 2014

Oliver Cooper found out that Labour had a great response to RoadTrip2015 as well.

Wow... RT @RichardAngell: "300+ people at #LabNPF in the marginal of MK South (and we finish early) and [just] 6 people go campaigning."
— Oliver Cooper (@OliverCooper) July 21, 2014

I really enjoy RoadTrips. I very much look forward to them every time. I must thank the Tube Trip team a lot, especially Luke Springthorpe who was the head honcho of the night. I hope you come join us  next time wherever we go.

RoadTrip2015 Pushes Conservatives Ahead In Great Yarmouth

Lord Ashcroft has released his marginal poll and it shows that the Conservatives are winning in the seat of Great Yarmouth. The Conservatives have finally overtaken Labour in this key marginal seat with 33% of the vote. UKIP is close behind on 31%. Labour has fallen to 28%. The Lib Dems are doing almost as badly as the Greens on 3%, I'm sure Cleggers is very happy.

I wonder if this has anything to do with the Road Trip to Great Yarmouth? A few weeks ago over one hundred Tory activists went to help Brandon Lewis MP get elected. They came into contact with 20,000 households through canvassing and delivering leaflets. 

Road Trip is a grass roots phenomenon which has attracted hundreds of activists to make notable increases in Conservative support in parliamentary constituencies. It is well worth being a part of. I wonder what polls will show in Croydon Central and Portsmouth South?

[Videp] Join TubeTrip2015 in Croydon

Join TubeTrip2015, RoadTrip2015's little brother, in Croydon Central this Saturday with Gavin Barwell MP. CFers from across the country, not just London, will come to Croydon to campaign, drink at a free bar, enjoy a free curry and then go out for a big party. I will be there, so will lots of people from Nottingham Uni. The meet up point is East Croydon train station at 1pm. Oh yes and did I forget to mention Chris Grayling MP, the Justice Secretary will be there. If you want any more details click here.

Now enjoy the video made by the great RoadTrip2015 team.

Labour Responds To Road Trip 2015

The Labour Party have now begun to respond to the grass roots movement of Road Trip 2015. They have been organising national campaign days for Young Labour and Labour Students on the same day as Road Trips. This was the view yesterday with the Conservatives in Portsmouth and Labour in Broxtowe (next door to Nottingham South).

Photo courtesy of Colonel Cooper.

135 Conservatives in Portsmouth and 22 Labourites in Broxtowe. Labour's campaign days are going really well. But will Road Trip win the Conservatives a majority?

Breaking News: Michael Gove Goes On RoadTrip215

It's official, Michael Gove, the bringer of good education for millions up and down the country, will be attending the next RoadTrip2015 to Portsmouth South. Gove will be joining in the fight to win the seat for the Conservatives and combat the sleazy ex-Lib Dem MP Mike Hancock. The locals want him out and they want a by-election. The Tory big wigs have been very impressed by RoadTrip2015 and the ability to take 100 or more activists to different corners of the country to campaign, eat curry and then drink a bar clean of beer. This is the way to campaign for sure.

The Road Trip is a great thing to get involved with and it's highly recommended by #ThingsElliottSays. You can join the event to Portsmouth South here but hurry there is not very long left to do so.

Exclusive: Tube Trip 2015

Tube Trip 2015, an obvious spin off from Road Trip 2015, has now been set up. It aims to get London 100s CFers campaigning across, and just outside, the capital en masse in order to win very important marginal seats.

The Road Trip to Enfield North brought over 130 Conservative foot soldiers to the North of London.

London has a lot of marginal seats the Conservatives need to win to form the next government. Hampstead and Kilburn for example is the most marginal seat in the country with a Labour majority of only 42. But there are lots of others connected to the tube. Brentford and Isleworth, Enfield North, Hendon, Watford, Sutton and Cheam are all seats the Conservatives need to take or hold to win the next General Election.

The Conservatives need to win more seats in London than they did in 2010. Will Tube Trip 2015 hold the answer?

I predict this to be very successful. There are great Thatchers* of Conservatives up and down London. Hundreds of activists are ready and able to leaflet and canvass the most marginal places. All they need is direction, and that will be given by Tube Trip 2015.

Road Trip founder Mark Clarke found in the background on John Major's defeat speech in 1997.

The same successful principles of Road Trip 2015 applies. Campaign, free curry, party. The only difference is this time instead of minibuses and trains all campaigners will need is an Oyster Card, which everyone in London has. Transport is a lot easier and with London prices being so high a free curry worth a lot. I suspect that Tube Trip 2015 will take place a bit more often than its bigger brother Road Trip 2015 as well. All in all expect there to be a mass take up, I bet the Lib Dems and Labour are a bit nervous.

This should also be a revolution for London CF in general. A fair percentage of CFers in the capital
boast about never leaving zone 2. Getting these people to campaign as far 'north' as Watford or Enfield North is a milestone.

Bring on Tube Trip 2015. The first stop is Croydon Central with Gavin Barwell MP on the 19th July. Like there Facebook page here.

*The official name for a group of Conservatives.