Epsom & Ewell CF hosts Chris Grayling

By Alex Clarke (Chairman EECF)

For this month we had Chris Grayling our local MP and of course the Shadow Home Secretary come and talk to us on all areas of conservative party policy…ranging from Defence to Europe and of course with special mention of his own Home Secretary Brief. However, Chris felt that the evening should not be just him talking and after about 20 minutes he opened the floor up to a more general engagement and discussion.

This discussion/debate brought about a brilliant interplay of the differing views as held by the various members, with none, young or old not feeling perfectly at ease and able to offer a full opinion. This was brilliant as it allowed these people, ranging from activists, to would be activists, and people who just were interested so came along; all voters and non-voters, it allowed everyone to interact and discuss policy with someone, with a senior party member who really knows his policy and his party’s policy.

As Chairman of the Epsom and Ewell Conservative Future I was very proud of my members who provided a constant and respectful stream of well informed questions – as well as adding their own contributions to the debate. Debate which continued after Chris was forced to leave us, far later than the diary had prescribed (for which we must offer further thanks to him and his dedication to his constituency) and which were full of thoughtful conjecture as well as greater interest in looking into the depths of Conservative Party policy which seem to never make the news; and are therefore easy to miss. At times I must say anyone listening in and not informed of the event would have been surprised to learn the average age of the attendees was under 25! On a personal note, and I have said this before – but I believe it should be said again; it is evenings like this which make the efforts of myself and the committee worthwhile.

All those that were there expressed a desire to see if Chris will come again soon, general election permitting; everyone confirmed their wish to attend the next event at which a panel of young Conservative Councillors, including our own Sean Sullivan, will be speaking and taking questions on all aspects of Conservative party policy both national and local; this event will be on the usual day the last Friday of the month, January the 29th of January 2010, at the usual venue, the Epsom Conservative Club.

Our January Event will be a panel of young conservative councillors including our very own Cllr Sean Sullivan. All of these events are featured in greater detail on our Facebook EECF page http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=108271599880; and the Support Epsom and Ewell’s Local Regiment campaign page http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=175890528436 so please come and have a look or e-mail office@epsomconservatives.com for a full list of events and literature.