West Kent Conservative Group - Winners of the National Excellence Award for Campaign Support

There's no denying it - I am a tad "chuffed" that the West Kent Group of Conservative Associations won the National Excellence Award for Campaign Support at the Conservative Party's Annual Award Ceremony in London tonight.

I am delighted for three reasons.

Firstly no-one, however long in the tooth, can fail to appreciate having their work recognised.

Secondly, the award was for "Campaign Support" and was given specifically in recognition of the work West Kent does for others. It was not an award for bringing five Associations together, for cutting overheads through grouping, for disposing of bricks and mortar or for streamlining administration. It was in recognition and acknowledgement that we did all of the above to enable us to share our resources for the benefit of the Party in the  marginal seats which will decide the outcome of the next General Election. 

But most importantly of all, it was an award in recognition and thanks to a cast of hundreds; a small army of selfless activists who give day after day, night after night, weekend after weekend, manning phones, packing envelopes, knocking doors and tramping streets in constituencies they have never previously visited and on behalf of candidates they have never before met.  A group who have no self interest other than a passionate belief that a majority Conservative Government offers the best hope for our country.

So to William Rutherford and Jacques Arnold and John & Brenni Wilson and Gill Levine and Joyce Gadd and David Elliott and Bob Backhouse and Allan Sulllivan and Mike Franklin and Thelma Huggett and Matthew Dickins and Brian and Pat Moss and Bill Hills and Patrik Garten and Graham Riddick and Janet Sergison and Kathy Doody and John Balcombe and Judith Bullett and Sue Nuttall and David Wildey and Vivian Branson and Tashi Bhutia and Susan Potter and the Baldocks and the Streaters and the Gulvins - and many many others....this award is for you.

Andrew x