Priti Patel's Plan for Tory Leadership
- Priti Patel vows to 'democratise' the Tories if she becomes the leader.
- Changes include banning 'parachuted' candidates into safe seats and electing a party chairman by members.
- The former home secretary aims to give more power to the Tories' grassroots.
Dame Priti Patel has unveiled her vision for reforming the Conservative Party, pledging to give members a greater voice in selecting the party's chairman and parliamentary candidates. Competing against former ministers Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick, Mel Stride, and Tom Tugendhat for the party leadership, Patel aims to address concerns that members feel disconnected from the central party. In her article for ConservativeHome, she criticized the current leadership for being "remote" and adopting a "one-size-fits-all" approach that neglects local needs. Patel's campaign is rooted in the belief that there is a "democratic deficit" within the party, which she intends to rectify through a comprehensive "100-day plan" for Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ). She emphasized the importance of accountability and collaboration with party members, promising to rebuild CCHQ into a more effective institution that serves grassroots activists. "They will be accountable to our members and work with the party board," she stated, highlighting her commitment to reforming candidate selection processes. The former party chairman Richard Holden's controversial selection for a Conservative constituency has underscored the need for change, as Patel seeks to restore trust among party members. In her social media outreach, she described CCHQ as a "broken institution" and called for it to become a robust political machine capable of holding the Labour Party accountable. Patel's proposals reflect a broader desire among Conservative members for increased engagement and representation, as she positions herself as a leader who will prioritize their voices in key decision-making processes.