Jeff Peel's Diary

I must say, I’m hugely impressed at the volume of peeps reading this stuff.  My traffic yesterday was phenomenal – thanks to all of you.  The Mark Devenport plug was great – thanks Mark.  But it’s great to be back among the political anoraks. 

For those of you of a Conservative persuasion I gather (although I’m no longer part of the in-crowd) that the Conservatives in NI AGM is next weekend.  Neil Johnston (current Area Chair) has had to stand down – as he’s now an employee of the ‘joint committee’.  I’ve been kicked out.  Therefore the local executive has big holes in it. 

Therefore next week is critical.  We’ll need a new Area Chairman who has clout and gravitas within CCHQ and who can firmly establish the Conservatives bit of Conservatives and Unionists as the dominant bit.  Let’s see what unfolds.

It’s also great to see that John Strafford will be attending.  John was the man who was instrumental in making clear to the Conservative Party leadership 20 or so years ago that they had to organise and contest elections in Northern Ireland.  I will never forget a speech he made at the Party conference all those years ago.  The speech was about establishing greater democracy within the Party.  Just towards the end, he paused and changed direction.  “And there’s another thing we can do,” he said.  And then he went on to argue why the Party must accept members from Northern Ireland.  It was a defining moment and one that changed the direction of the Party on this issue. 

He is a fine man and a great friend of Northern Ireland.