Conservative Party Strategy

Abstract

I will first describe my role within the Conservative Party. Aside from a brief stint as a political adviser, brought to an end by the verdict of the electorate in May 1997, I have spent my whole career working for the Conservative Party. I have had a rather unusual career path, starting in the Conservative Research Department, progressing through the Party’s Press Office and finally ending as Director of Campaigning. Jointly these roles have given me some experience of all the disciplines that make up a modern campaign. During the General Election I was deputy to the Campaign Director, Lynton Crosby, responsible for all aspects of the campaign other than opinion research, message development and media relations. I will focus on the use of research; themes and messages; target voters and goals; key decisions; the role of political leadership versus issues and Government performance; and will finally evaluate the success of our strategy.