Minutes for the Business Meeting of the
Interim Committee - Reform UK, South East Cornwall Branch
Date: 18th December 2024
Time: 19.00
Location: Emily Hobhouse Room, Public Hall, Liskeard
Chairman – Call to order
Welcome
Roll call: 40 members were present along with the Cornwall County organiser and the South West Regional Director
The Chair invited Paul Mills, SWRD, to address the members. Mr Mills explained that his responsibility was for 58 constituencies from Gloucester to Penzance, to make sure that the SW is successful for Reform. At the moment that means securing candidates for Council Elections in May and he was looking to provide resources and support for them and the local groups. We’re looking for youth along with anyone who wants to contribute in some way. There is a role for everyone.
He stressed that SE Cornwall will be a very important seat in the next election, essential and winnable. In the mean time, applicants for councillors will be offered support and training.
Item 1: Election of Vice Chair
There were three applicants, salient points of their CV’s were read by Chair. 5 minutes were given to each candidate to address the floor and answer questions from members, after which candidates retired while the vote was taken. The members voted as follows:
Kevin Johnson MBE: 0 votes
Chris Wilton: 10 votes
Angus Black: 28 votes
Angus thanked the members and assumed his place on the committee bench.
Item 2: Election of Treasurer
There were two applicants, salient points of their CV’s were read by Chair. 5 minutes were given to each candidate to address the floor and answer questions from members, after which candidates retired while the vote was taken. The members voted as follows:
Freddie Southcott: 8
Louisa Hawken: 29 with 1 abstention
Item 3: Campaign Manager’s report
Mary Corin addressed the members, explaining that we have a plan with four main objectives, but we cannot do any of it without the active involvement of the membership. We want to change politics completely, in order to institute change and sweep away the present broken system, everything should come from the ground up – we will be sending out surveys and ask that members reply. Politicians have to reflect the will of the members, not the other way round. This is our very last chance for change before we become a communist state. Youth is important - they have more energy and better IT skills, along with an understanding that the country that they will inherit is bankrupt and broken.
Mary implored each member to try to get another to join Reform. We have dozens of plans, but none of them can happen without you.
The meeting was opened to the questions from the floor.
Labour’s boundary changes were discussed. Appeals were made for council candidates. The consensus was that it is unlikely that Cornwall will have a Mayor in the near future. Bank accounts for Branches are being set up and ours should be in place soon. Information was given on contacting our branch. The process for applying to be a councillor was discussed, cost, vetting, and on approval, training in January. Local coaching is available too. Future resources were discussed to focus effort by canvassing only those on the electoral role. An enquiry was made about Elon Musk’s possible donation, and it was explained that there were many large donations in the pipeline from business and anonymous donors who are coming over to Reform UK and that the success of the US election will benefit the party in many ways. Email contact problems were discussed and noted. Veterans’ issues were brought to our attention. We also talked about farmers, adult health and social care, and how every member’s skills and knowledge will all be of use to the Branch Committee. There was a discussion between members about people who have left the party, others who are not welcome, and existing MPs who do not always reflect the views of party members. A member with experience in police matters updated us on the current state of the police force and officers’ wellbeing.
After a very successful and wide ranging meeting, the Chair thanked everyone for attending and the meeting was adjourned at 8.45pm.
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