On Saturday, 17th January 2015 Conservative Candidates from the Gainsborough Constituency, which covers the whole of the West Lindsey district and the Wragby ward of the East Lindsey district, gathered in Hemswell, in the centre of the constituency, for a day conference looking at how local Conservative will be campaigning in the General and Local Elections later this year.
Proceeding began with a welcome by Chairman of the Gainsborough Constituency Conservative Association, Mrs. Stephanie Rouse, this was followed by session delivered by Giles McNeill, who will be the candidates’ Agent, who talked about the strong position the Conservatives find themselves in locally; specifically that local Conservatives are in control of West Lindsey and this shows how a true-blue council compare favourably with the compromise of coalition administrations nationally and at the county council.
Mrs. Rachel Storer who is Campaign Manager for Karl McCartney MP (Lincoln), followed this with a detailed session on the importance of meeting residents, canvassing, local campaigning and the best ways to win a seat.
Before lunch Sir Edward Leigh MP addressed the conference, giving a flavour of the national campaign that will be fought by the Prime Minister and Conservative Central Headquarters. Sir Edward explained how he will fight his contest to keep his seat on his positive record of working hard for the people of the Gainsborough constituency and his experience. He made it clear his focus would be on this issues that matter to local people and the importance of achieving a majority Conservative administration.
The delegates enjoyed a lunch of fish and chips before returning for an afternoon of breakout sessions and workshops. These included ‘literature design’, ‘fighting a first campaign’, ‘the local election manifesto’, ‘addressing national concerns, locally’, and others.
The day concluded with a rousing close of conference address by Cllr. Jeff Summers, Conservative Leader of West Lindsey District Council who made it absolutely clear that the aim of the local conservatives should be to retain current councillors and gains a crop of fresh new councillors to enhance and maintain West Lindsey as a Conservative-controlled authority.
