Nick Boles is a reformer, but this here is modernization gone a tad too far!

I like Nick Boles. He is a cool and suave gentleman. And believe he had great intentions when he suggested in three way marginal seats the party (Conservatives) should field liberal leaning candidates rather than straight Conservatives.

And, although his heart and intentions are in the right place. In my humble opinion, I think one of the reasons, today, we’re in a coalition with the LibDems, and not a full Conservative government is due to modernization and the dilution of conservatism the party high command embarked on ‘alone’ without taking the grassroots with them.

Let me explain what I mean by that. But first and for the record, I am not anti-modernization and progress. Good organisations grow and must evolve with time.

However, great ones do it organically. Growing naturally comes from the ground up and can take some time to achieve. The length of that time depends on the organization and its readiness. In the case of a political party, that means when the grassroots are ready and understand fully what’s at stake not the other way round.

Tory reformers did not take or even invite the grassroots to come with and join them in their journey of progress. In this, I fully blame party chairs from between 2005 – 2010 because their job was to travel the country and sell the progress programmes and not leave an association until every member had a full and clear understanding of why change and why it’s needed.

For instance, and this pains me to admit, but when Tony Blair embarked on his programme of renewal, it was from the ground up. Of course there were those who didn’t agree and were very vocal about it, but most were excited and ready to come with him to the centre ground. Maybe Labour was more ready for change, but being ready, accepting and welcoming helped them succeed.

On the other hand Conservatives after all the talk in the Westminster bubble, many associations were like a deer, caught in the modernization headlight, they didn’t have a clue and didn’t go with it.

That is why what Nick is suggesting, though might sound logical, is nonetheless dangerous and will further alienate the grassroots particularly in those three way marginal constituencies. We cannot honestly just ignore those Conservatives who still today don’t understand the purpose of modernising and are fighting rather than accepting it!

The point I am trying to make here is. At a time when UKIP seems an attractive alternative to traditional Tory voters, it is wise to look for ways to keep our core and base strong. Secure that and not worry about changing direction at the risk of losing what we already have. And instead of going after LibDem and Labour voters work so that they come to us. Work it so that the LibDems and Labour lose their voters to us.

Going after votes is not the same as votes coming to you.

Blair did it in 97 – remember the shock in Labour MPs faces when they won seats they didn’t imagine winning – we should aim for that in 15.

The centre ground is very popular and nowadays it’s heavily populated.

People saw what Labour did when they were last in government and most don’t want them back. People also know Libs are a partner party but many still don’t trust them. Conservatism is still Britain’s natural home and David Cameron is still the most popular leader today.

Going forward, a more defined, true Conservative Tory party that fights for core Conservative values, such as strong family, good work ethics, personal responsibility and love of country is needed. This country needs a Tory party that fights for low taxes, empowering the weak, a strong economy and believes in a small government but big people. A party that trusts people to know what’s best for them, more than any government, and allows them the freedom to do it – that party will be more successful in 2015.

Austerity and cuts are like war and after wars people look for and want to see tried and tested measures not dreamt up ones.

Remember, at heart we Britons are still a traditional and giving nation who values honesty and common sense. Let’s be that party again and dominate our own ground, albeit with a modern twist.