Conservative leader Kemi Bandenoch has vowed to turn the Conservative Party into an election-winning machine again as she accused some former Tory officials of undermining the party by leaking “secrets” to the media. She said there were “great people” working for the party but set out plans to transform Conservative Campaign Headquarters, the party’s base of operations in Westminster known as CCHQ.
And she said some Tory staff were only there as a “springboard” for spin doctor roles in government. Ms Badenoch made the comments after a number of CCHQ employees were made redundant last week. But she vowed to improve the headquarters so it was “focused on winning elections on the doorsteps and online so we can deliver conservatism across the UK”.
Writing for website Conservative Home, Ms Badenoch said: “The many good people who work there, toiling for long hours and little thanks, can see the organisation needs to be rebuilt for 2029, not 2009.
“They are the most frustrated – having to work with others who don’t care about them or the organisation, who leak and brief our secrets to the press and enjoy the adrenalin of Westminster politics without offering the service it needs to for our members.”
And she said: “Many joined not because they were dedicated to the Conservative mission, but a springboard into special adviser jobs in government. Every election cycle and change of leader, cleaned out an additional cohort of talent as the new regimes favoured a new cadre.”
Activists had told her that the party machinery was not fit for purpose with some complaining it was “not up to it” or “stopped working years ago,” she said.
However Ms Badenoch also said: “There are great people in that building who will be vital to our success. But, the truth is we know that the organisation hasn’t been as good as it needs to be. And that’s what we need to change.”
Ms Badenoch said: “We’re undergoing the biggest change to CCHQ in a generation.
“Some colleagues are moving on to new challenges, and we thank them for their dedicated service. We’re restructuring to slim down management, sharpen focus, and return to basics. Some old practices will stop as new initiatives begin.
“Then we can hire for new roles with the future in mind.
“Our goal is to create a new CCHQ, focused on winning elections on the doorsteps and online so we can deliver conservatism across the UK. The foundations for success must be laid now, not at the last minute before a general election.”