Tories Revive Member Debates After 20 Years, Emphasizing Free Speech

The Conservative Party is set to reintroduce members' debates at its upcoming conference, marking a significant shift in party dynamics after a two-decade hiatus. This move, announced by interim chairman Richard Fuller, aims to reinvigorate grassroots participation and underscore the party's commitment to free speech.

The conference, scheduled for Monday, September 30, 2024, in Birmingham, will dedicate a substantial portion of its main stage timetable to discussions on topics chosen by party members through an email survey. This decision reflects a return to a practice last seen around 2004, highlighting the party's rich history of member engagement.

Fuller emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "For many Conservatives, freedom of speech and the opportunity to express your view is important in society." This sentiment aligns with the party's longstanding principles, dating back to its founding in 1834, making it one of the world's oldest political parties.

Despite facing a historic defeat in the July 2024 general election, the Conservative Party has seen a 20% year-on-year increase in membership. This growth is particularly noteworthy given the party's status as the largest political party in the UK, with over 180,000 members as of 2020.

The party is also addressing internal processes, with Fuller indicating that Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) is reviewing the candidate selection process. This comes after criticism regarding the allocation of seats to top aides prior to the recent election.

Regarding the rise of the Reform party, which garnered four million votes largely at the expense of the Conservatives, Fuller expressed limited concern. He attributed the Labour Party's landslide victory to the split in conservative values, stating, "If conservative values are split, you end up with socialist values in government."

The Conservative Party, which has produced 22 Prime Ministers and governed the UK for 47 years since 1945, is now focusing on reaffirming its core principles. Fuller noted that party members have been calling for a return to fundamental conservative values, a sentiment echoed in the ongoing leadership race.

"The core of it is a sense that in dealing with the events of the day, we sort of allowed ourselves to become too unanchored from core conservative principles that we all share, and a desire that we re-emphasise those conservative principles."

Interestingly, Fuller also addressed the potential return of Boris Johnson to frontline politics, stating that the former Prime Minister would be "always welcome" in Tory ranks. This openness to Johnson's return reflects the party's complex history and its ability to adapt to changing political landscapes.

As the Conservative Party, colloquially known as the Tories since the 17th century, prepares for this significant change in its conference format, it continues to draw on its rich heritage. From introducing universal male suffrage in 1918 to electing the UK's first female leader, Margaret Thatcher, in 1975, the party has often been at the forefront of political innovation in Britain.