Activists were asked to trust in a targeting analysis that proved to be based on flawed data and assumptions that were overturned by the manifesto.
The first full analysis of how the 2015 election was won. The Party’s efforts were driven by an innovative approach to target seats. So what worked and what didn’t?
It’s a further development in the use of candidates as ground-troops in the battlegrounds.
Our latest battleground profile explores the West Midlands, where Labour and the Tories are locked in something close to a high-stakes, traditional, two-party fight.
The fourth in our series investigates the East of England, where the minor parties are making their presence felt in a traditional Tory-Labour front.
The third piece in our series examines the four-way battle for the hearts and minds of voters in Wales.
The second piece in our series explores the intense struggles across the South West of England.
Looking at the list in more detail raises more questions about its veracity, and what if any light it sheds on the Conservative strategy.
It’s a mistake which is unlikely to improve relations between candidates and the centre.
CCHQ is not giving up on the prospect of snatching seats off Labour and LibDems, though there is a fly in the ointment…
Hundreds of seats are yet to select, and there are claims of deliberate delays.
By Mark WallaceFollow Mark on Twitter. In October, CCHQ announced that it was launching a 40/40 strategy aimed at winning the next election – based on holding 40 marginal seats and winning 40 target seats. We've been reporting on candidate selections over the last few months, and now 40 are in place there is an opportunity to give […]
By Paul GoodmanFollow Paul on Twitter. Grant Shapps tweeted the news roughly 15 minutes ago. It isn't up on the Party website as I write. Flick Drummond will be taking on Mike Hancock (I presume) for the second time at the next election. Hancock beat her by 5,200, but a lot has happened since then. […]
By Tim MontgomerieFollow Tim on Twitter Tuesday morning update: Kevin Foster is adopted for Torbay. *** It's time we updated readers on a recent set of seat selections in target constituencies: David Warburton has been selected for Somerton and Frome; Tony Cox for Newcastle-under-Lyme; Robert Loughenbury for Chorley; Michelle Donelan for Chippenham; Caroline Ansell for […]
The Tory general election campaign was far too cautious. We need to become an irreverent, confident and bullish force.