Local elections
As you know, the elections for Braintree District Council took place on 4th May. We always knew the elections were going to be difficult as we had won seats last time in wards we had not expected to win, there was a national issue in the Three Fields ward provoking a protest vote (the Government’s proposed asylum centre) and there are continuing concerns over the cost of living.
In the Braintree Constituency we lost 8 seats, 4 to Labour in Braintree and 4 to Independents in Hedingham, Rayne and Three Fields, and gained one from Labour in Bocking. Despite these losses and with the help of our colleagues in the Witham constituency, we are very pleased that we succeeded in retaining overall control of the Council by 3 seats. For the full results, please see the District Council website.
The elections involved a considerable amount of work drafting leaflets and letters, stuffing envelopes and delivering election material as well as knocking on doors and speaking to voters. I would like to thank all those that helped, particularly the candidates, who gave up considerable amounts of time to produce this result. My commiserations go to those that were unsuccessful.
AGM/SGM
The final recommendations of the Boundary Commission will be submitted at the end of June and an Order will be made shortly thereafter confirming the new parliamentary constituencies for the next general election.
CCHQ have recommended that associations defer their AGMs until after the Order is made and the new associations are formed. This will allow one meeting to take place which will be a combined AGM for the old association and a Special General Meeting for the new association. Associations in the eastern region have been asked to hold this meeting at the end of September and this association’s combined AGM/SGM will take place on 14th September 2023. The current officers will remain in post until that meeting.
Conservative Policy Forum
The next meeting of our policy forum will be 26th June at 7pm at the Kings Head, Gosfield. This time the topic for discussion is “Making the case for responsibility” and is part of a series about Conservative values.
If you are interested in national policy and have some ideas about policies the Conservative could put forward, this is the forum for you! Please let us know if you would like to attend. I attach the briefing paper for the meeting.
Your sincerely
Iona Parker
