Speaking at the Eastern Conference at launch of the CPF session, Ahmereen Reza OBE, Vice President of the National Convention and Vice Chairman of the Conservative Policy Forum (CPF), highlighted the growing role of grassroots members in shaping Conservative policy and preparing the Party for the next General Election.
Addressing members from across the region, she described the CPF as the Party's "policy engine", working closely with the Leader of the Opposition's Office to transform member-led ideas into practical, deliverable policy. She emphasised the importance of engaging members, councillors and policy experts at every level of the Party to ensure that Conservative values are reflected in future policy development.
Ahmereen outlined ongoing CPF activity across the country, including consultation papers, ministerial briefings, expert policy groups, regional conferences and local engagement programmes. She also highlighted efforts to strengthen CPF's presence within Regions and Areas, ensuring that grassroots members have a greater voice in shaping policy priorities.
Pointing to evidence that Associations with active CPF groups have experienced membership growth, she argued that strong local policy engagement helps build both membership and activism. "Good policy starts with listening," she said, encouraging members to identify local issues, develop solutions and help shape the Party's future agenda.
The session featured a policy panel including Mayor, Paul Bristow, Simon Jones and PCC, Roger Hirst, who responded to policy ideas and proposals from attendees.
Ahmereen paid tribute to the Eastern Region team for delivering a highly successful conference, thanking Geoff Holdcroft, Ruth Betson, Tom Bygott and Colin Noble for organising a packed programme featuring awards, a well-attended CPF session, inspiring speeches from Paul Bristow and James Cleverly, and an informative candidates' session led by Clare Hambro and her team.
She also welcomed remarks from Kemi Badenoch, noting that the Party Leader had set out a clear plan for the future and, crucially, assembled the team needed to deliver it.
The conference also celebrated campaigning excellence across the region. Congratulations to Qaisar Abbas, Candidate of the Year; Harwich & North East Essex, recognised for the fastest-growing membership; Fiona Hill, Hertfordshire Volunteer of the Year; and Oliver Cooper, Councillor of the Year.
Special congratulations go to Rayleigh and Wickford, winners of the inaugural Regional Campaigning Association of the Year Award, recognising their outstanding voter identification campaign and recent electoral success. Tribute was also paid to Christopher Kemp, who received a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award, alongside all the conference's deserving award winners.
Concluding her remarks, Ahmereen encouraged members to continue working with CPF teams and regional ambassadors to ensure local priorities reach shadow ministers and help shape the Party's future policy platform, adding that hearing the closing remarks from Kemi Badenoch was a fitting highlight to an inspiring day.
