MANCHESTER—Former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel has called for the Tory Membership to “take back control” of the selection process within the party, as a former major donor and ally of Boris Johnson, Lord Peter Cruddas, called on donors to cease funding the party all together until greater power is given back to the membership.
Speaking at the Conservative Democratic Organisation’s (CDO) black-tie gala, on the fringes of the Tory conference in Manchester last night, Dame Priti stated that the CDO had stopped “so many members of the Conservative Party from leaving,” during political upheaval last year, which saw both Boris Johnson and Liz Truss resign as prime minister.
The CDO is a Tory campaign group, founded by Lord Cruddas to reform the constitution of the Conservative Party to give greater power back to members over the selection process of political candidates.
Dame Priti, who has been aligned with the group since its inception, said: “To borrow that slogan from another campaign, we need to take back control, because our vision is for a party that is more democratic, and that gives members a say in policy.
“Let members choose their own candidates who will fight.”
Speaking ahead of Dame Priti’s address, billionaire Lord Cruddas, who now funds the CDO’s efforts, said: “We need to start applying pressure on the party board to listen to us and make major changes now, before it’s too late.
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“And there is a very quick way to do this. The party is heavily reliant on donors. I know, I used to be one.
Johnson Ally Calls for Donors To ‘Stop Funding’ Tories
“So tonight I am asking all Conservative Party donors, including individuals or groups … to stop funding the conservative party until we can implement constitutional changes that reintroduce members’ rights.“It is time to stop funding our party because that is the only way they are going to listen. And that is the only way we are going to get change.”
Amid discussions of a potential Labour win in the upcoming general election, Dame Priti emphasised the need for the party to present a strong conservative vision.
“We must offer a bold vision of conservatism,” Dame Priti affirmed, commenting that “conservatism faces a credibility issue,” in her speech, which was warmly received by the large audience present.
Speaking to The Epoch Times, David Campbell Bannerman, former MEP and now chairman of the CDO, said: “We want to see donors push for the constitutional reforms we propose. If the party is more democratic internally it will be closer to the public externally.
“The public is centre-right and we need to reflect this. We are asking donors to push for constitutional reforms whilst backing individual candidates for the election.”
Campaigners at the grassroots of the party have harboured public concerns over the way the selection process is managed by Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ).
‘Deep Concern’ Over CCHQ Selection Process
Addressing this, Mr. Campbell Bannerman added: “There is deep concern and dissatisfaction about the candidate selection process. It seems to be designed to turn away and humiliate loyal Conservatives rather than back people on merit.“There is bewilderment as some ex-Labour and ex-Lib Dem candidates are being waved through. There is next to no test of actual Conservative beliefs—that is unbelievable!”
Lord Cruddas asked for more MPs to join Dame Priti as patrons of the CDO but emphasised that “only proper conservatives need to apply.”
He added, “We have had enough of career politicians looking to hitch a ride on the next big thing that will propel their careers.”
The CDO event served as further evidence to the movement of several groups in the grassroots of the party, heaping pressure on Rishi Sunak, in hopes of influencing the Tory manifesto ahead of an expected general election in 2024.
Dame Priti added, “I believe we can have a manifesto that is bold, bold, and ambitious.”
She added that with the help of its members, CDO “will continue to reinvigorate the grassroots of our party, to make sure that our voices are heard.”
The Epoch Times reached out for comment from the Conservative Party.
