This year we have had two Tory spring conferences: the first organised by the blog ConservativeHome and today’s organised by the Tories.
Last week, hundreds of activists gave up their Saturday to gather in Westminster and talk about how they’d win the next election. The discussion was vibrant, with serious debate about everything from regional economic development to tackling the perception of the Tories as a posh party. And there was much candour. Jesse Norman even said that the electorate tends to make the right decisions and that it was “not clear” to him that the Tories deserved to win the last election.
So yes, uncomfortable truths were spoken. (Especially by Lord Ashcroft.) But the ConHome conference oozed that much-sought-after political ingredient: authenticity. It was attended by a refreshing assortment of grassroots party members, local councillors, think tankers and press.
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