Why I'm backing the other guy...
by Jake Fraser

Picking a President: The United States' Election 2000

Young and Conservative
By Hannah Williams, 20, London

It was a hot and sunny May afternoon when Tony Blair called the election at a South London school. I know because I was there.

We waved banners and chanted angrily as the Prime Minister announced the dissolution of Parliament. Although it's great fun, being a member of Conservative Future involves much more than annoying prominent Labour Party members when we get the opportunity!

Conservative Future (CF) is made up of all Conservative Party members under 30. Thankfully, long gone are the days when younger members of political parties are the people that couldn't get picked for the football team! Nowadays CF is made up of normal people with a healthy interest in current affairs; we like doing the same things as other young people.

I am a 20-year-old writing and media student at Middlesex University in North London. My favourite pastimes are night clubbing with friends and relaxing in a bubble bath with a trashy magazine. I don't spend an unhealthy amount of time in the library!

There are many reasons why I joined the Conservative Party. Firstly, I believe in the individual. I believe if somebody has earned something they will respect it, and themselves, so much more than a state handout.

I don't subscribe to the ideal that making people equal involves lowering the standards. I believe people spend their money more efficiently than an oversized, bureaucratic government.

Heckling Tony Blair was by no means the start of this election for me. CF began the campaign trail back in October. Since then we have travelled all over the country helping Conservative candidates across the UK. Because we are all such good friends it isn't like work and the pub is always the last stop of the day.

Now that the election has been called, our work has stepped up a gear. We are taking a team across the UK hitting 28 marginal seats in 16 days. Our itinerary includes rallies with the Party leader, protesting against the Prime Minister and campaigning in seats where it really matters. This culminates on Polling Day with a party in London watching the results come in.

Throughout this campaign I have been involved at every level from envelope stuffing to door knocking, and loved every minute of it.

Being closely involved with an organization you really care about is very satisfying. CF members aren't trying to become carbon copies of older politicians. We pursue the Party's goals while bringing our unique style and identity to everything we do. Perceptions are there to be challenged, and Conservative Future is revolutionising youth politics in the UK.