Conservative Party Suspends Youth Wing Committee Amid Bullying Allegations

Strategic Insights -

The Conservative Party has taken unprecedented action in response to allegations of "institutionalised bullying" within its youth wing, Conservative Future. The national committee has been suspended, and senior aide Mark Clarke, who denies the allegations, has had his membership cancelled for life. Former Conservative Future chairman Ben Howlett raised concerns about the issue with party high command over several years, but they were consistently ignored.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Conservative Party has suspended the national committee of Conservative Future, its youth wing, amid allegations of "institutionalised bullying".
  • Senior aide Mark Clarke, who denies the allegations, has had his membership cancelled for life.
  • Ben Howlett, former chairman of Conservative Future, raised concerns about bullying with party high command over several years, but they were ignored.
  • Howlett alleged that there had been "huge range of complaints" including inappropriate advances to women activists, which were "swept under the carpet".
  • The party's chairman, Lord Feldman, was aware of the complaints and backed up Howlett, but took no action.
  • An internal disciplinary inquiry was set up in August 2015, and the party's lawyers and disciplinary committee will continue to investigate complaints.
  • RoadTrip2015, a campaign run by Mark Clarke, is no longer authorised as a campaigning entity for the Conservative Party.
  • The party will ensure that all affiliated groups adopt the harassment and anti-bullying policy contained in the staff handbook.

Statistics:

  • The Conservative Party has suspended the national committee of Conservative Future.
  • Mark Clarke's membership was suspended in September 2015.
  • 8 allegations of bullying against Mark Clarke were made, including inappropriate advances to women activists.
  • The party's chairman, Lord Feldman, was aware of complaints for a "very long period of time".

Sources:

  • Gavin Cordon, Press Association

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/14/mark-clarke-bullying-allegations-conservative-party

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/conservative-party-headquarters-knew-of-bullying-allegations-tfqchxdmg