Chairman of the Conservative Party
Chairman of the Conservative Party | |
---|---|
Conservative Party | |
Appointer | Leader of the Conservative Party |
Term length | At Leader of the Conservative Party's pleasure |
Inaugural holder | Arthur Steel-Maitland |
Formation | 1911 |
The Chairman of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom is responsible for party administration, overseeing the Conservative Campaign Headquarters (formerly Conservative Central Office). When the Conservatives are in government, the Chairman is usually a member of the Cabinet holding a sinecure position such as Minister without Portfolio. Deputy or vice-chairmen may also be appointed, with responsibility for specific aspects of the Conservative Party (for example, local government, women or youth). When a female holds the office, such as Theresa May and Caroline Spelman, the office is titled Chairwoman of the Conservative Party. The Conservative Party is currently chaired by Brandon Lewis, who was appointed January 8th, 2018, with James Cleverly as his deputy.
The role was created in 1911 in response to the Conservative party's defeat in the second 1910 general election. The position is not subject to election, and is given by the party leader.[1]
Key
Member of the House of Commons | |
Member of the House of Lords | |
Chairmen
See also
- 1922 Committee – the parliamentary body of the Conservative Party, which has its own Chairman
References
- ↑ Harris, Robin (2011). The Conservatives - A History. London: Bantam Press. ISBN 9780593065112.
(p. 249) After the second election defeat of 1910 there was an unstoppable pressure for an enquiry into the party's failures. A committee recommended that two new posts be created - that of party treasurer and that of chairman of the party (enjoying 'Cabinet rank'). ... Balfour accepted the changes but tried to reduce the status of the chairman, a position which he significantly (and permanently) re-titled 'chairman of the party organization'. He also concealed, as long as he could, the 'Cabinet rank' pledge. Finally he appointed a rather junior but, as it turned out, vigorous and assertive Birmingham member of parliament, Arthur Steel-Maitland, to the chairmanship.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Harris, Robin (2011). The Conservatives - A History. London: Bantam Press. ISBN 9780593065112.
- 1 2 3 Stewart, Graham (1999). Burying Caesar - Churchill, Chamberlain and the Battle for the Tory Party. London: Phoenix. ISBN 9780753810606.
- 1 2 3 Sampson, Anthony (2004). Who Runs This Place?. London: John Murray. ISBN 0719565642.
- ↑ Patten, Chris (2005). Not Quite the Diplomat. London: Allen Lane. ISBN 0713998555.