There has been much comment in the media in the recent weeks about the levels of Conservative membership. The Party confirmed to the website ‘Conservative Home’ that there are 174,000 members. Significantly more the sub 100,000 memberhip levels that some doomsayers were trying to claim. That said this does represent a reducing level of paid memberships.
Does it have to be this way? I firmly believe that increasing membership is eminantly possible and achievable. In my own ward, we restarted a branch for the first time in over 30 years. It has taken work, but I am very proud to say that after holding a number of events, we have greatly increased local membership levels in Waterbeach.
National organisations like the RSPB, who had static membership for many years, have managed to increase membership. I am sure this best practice like this is being looked at. A case in point is that I joined after they did some outreach work and talked to me about all the wildlife work they do – in addition to our feathered friends!
The Party Chairman, Grant Shapps MP, published an article today talking about the different ways people can get involved with the party. He rightly says that many people get involved in different ways, for example; signing up to our campaigns online, ‘Liking’ our Facebook pages or volunteering to help canvass and deliver. Indeed I have some deliverers who have helped deliver leaflets for me for over ten years, but who are not members. Some have got involved and then joined later. Some are members and then started delivering.
It is clear in the modern age that all these types of involvement are important. I for one will do all I can to help with this, and, if along the way help to increase paid memberships then that is all for the good.
