Hello everyone,
For those of you who do not know me, my name is Aaron Larkin. I am a Young Conservative from Cottingham, near Hull, a Law and Politics student at the University of Hull and a serving parish councillor.
Today I am proud to announce that I am standing to become the next National Young Conservatives Chairman.
Over the past few years, the Young Conservatives movement has gone from strength to strength. I am genuinely proud of that progress, and of the team from across the country that has made it possible. No one person is responsible for what has been achieved. My focus is on carrying that work forward and making sure its benefits are felt everywhere.
I come from a part of the country that is not widely known for Conservative victories. What many people do not see is that Hull is also a powerful example of our movement. For decades, Young Conservatives have stood time and again in local elections. Many have gone on to work at the heart of our party, including elected representatives and the staff working tirelessly behind the scenes.
Being a Conservative in Hull has taught me determination. When I first stood for my parish council, Labour took me on and I lost. I got back up, stood again and won, becoming the youngest person on my parish council. That experience taught me that wherever you come from, ambition and hard work can take you forward.
Our party is the party of aspiration. My aspiration is to lead our Young Conservatives nationally, not to create a Number Ten North, and not to set one part of the country against another. This is not North against South or London against everywhere else. We are one national movement and we should act like one.
The beating heart of our democracy is in Westminster and in our devolved assemblies, but the heart and strength of our party is found in the people on the ground. It is found in the activists who work for this party as though it were a full time job, not because they have to, but because they want our country to thrive under a Conservative government.
Young Conservatives want events and opportunities that do not feel centred on one place. I am lucky enough to have a direct train to London, but it is often extortionate and takes close to three hours. I understand why so many members feel distant from national activity.
I will continue the regional approach and aim to deliver at least one Young Conservative event in every region during my first year. These events will be open to everyone, but the movement must follow its members and create opportunities where they live.
I will fight to make every member count. Too many young members have a story about struggling with an association, federation, region or area. Welcoming new and younger members can require adjustment, but supporting them is our responsibility. Nobody should be locked out of this movement. Offering a hand up is exactly what we are here to do.
Our next great task is to elect a new generation of young Conservative councillors. That means practical support, strong campaign material, useful advice and a network ready to stand behind our candidates. The next wave is coming, and it is time for all of us to get involved and take our movement forward together.
I want to be the Chairman for everyone, and that means working everywhere. I am ready to get to work.
