This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/mar/01/local-tory-conservative-associations-could-be-urged-to-merge-under-feldman-plan

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Local Tory associations could be urged to merge under Feldman plan Local Tory associations could be urged to merge under Feldman plan
(35 minutes later)
Grassroots Conservative associations could be urged to carry out mega-mergers, as the Tory chairman, Lord Feldman, seeks to streamline the party.Grassroots Conservative associations could be urged to carry out mega-mergers, as the Tory chairman, Lord Feldman, seeks to streamline the party.
A review commissioned by Feldman last summer, and due to report imminently, is expected to recommend that local parties band together into “multi-constituency associations”, potentially cutting their number drastically. A review commissioned by Feldman last summer, due to report imminently, is expected to recommend that local parties band together into “multi-constituency associations”, potentially cutting their number drastically.
A party spokesperson denied reports that the plans would amount to a “cull” of the Conservatives’ grassroots. “There is no ‘cull’. The proposal is to offer constituency associations the option to form multi-constituency associations so they can benefit from shared offices and access to professional staff,” she said. “Multi-constituency associations can only be formed by a vote of party members in those constituencies.” A party spokesperson denied reports that the plans would amount to a “cull” of the Conservatives’ grassroots. “There is no cull. The proposal is to offer constituency associations the option to form multi-constituency associations so they can benefit from shared offices and access to professional staff,” she said. “Multi-constituency associations can only be formed by a vote of party members in those constituencies.”
She insisted that the review had been commissioned to “make sure ‎the party has a robust structure so that it can campaign successfully to win elections in the future”.She insisted that the review had been commissioned to “make sure ‎the party has a robust structure so that it can campaign successfully to win elections in the future”.
But the proposals are likely to be seen as an attempt to tighten Westminster’s grip over the party nationally, at a time when David Cameron is battling to keep his fractious troops together over the issue of Europe.But the proposals are likely to be seen as an attempt to tighten Westminster’s grip over the party nationally, at a time when David Cameron is battling to keep his fractious troops together over the issue of Europe.
The prime minister infuriated some local Conservatives when he appeared to tell his MPs not to pay too much attention to the opinions of their local associations – which are typically more Eurosceptic than the party in Westminster – when deciding whether to side with the government in the run-up to the 23 June referendum.The prime minister infuriated some local Conservatives when he appeared to tell his MPs not to pay too much attention to the opinions of their local associations – which are typically more Eurosceptic than the party in Westminster – when deciding whether to side with the government in the run-up to the 23 June referendum.
He urged them to “do what’s in your heart”, not back one side or the other, “because of what your constituency association might say”.He urged them to “do what’s in your heart”, not back one side or the other, “because of what your constituency association might say”.
Conservative associations are involved in fundraising, campaigning and selecting potential candidates for elections. Their individual members will also vote for the next party leader, from a shortlist chosen by MPs.Conservative associations are involved in fundraising, campaigning and selecting potential candidates for elections. Their individual members will also vote for the next party leader, from a shortlist chosen by MPs.
Boris Johnson, the London mayor, is now widely seen as the frontrunner for the affections of grassroots party members after his decision to back Brexit, lengthening the odds on the chancellor, George Osborne, succeeding Cameron. Boris Johnson, the London mayor, is widely seen as the frontrunner for the affections of grassroots party members after his decision to advocate leaving the European Union, lengthening the odds on the chancellor, George Osborne, succeeding Cameron.
The Conservative spokesperson also denied reports that the proposed changes to the party’s structure would include introducing a “gold” membership, which would guarantee party members prepared to pay £100 access to its annual conference.The Conservative spokesperson also denied reports that the proposed changes to the party’s structure would include introducing a “gold” membership, which would guarantee party members prepared to pay £100 access to its annual conference.