Annual Report 2009

This is my last annual report and it has been a great honour to have served as your Chairman over the past 3 years. During that time we have seen both the Conservative Party and this Association go from strength to strength. Within the next twelve months we will have a general election and I'm confident that the tremendously hard work and dedication of the members of this Association with contribute to a resounding Conservative victory.  Gordon Brown's handling of the economy over the past 12 years has been shown to have been a disaster. By pumping up the money supply and keeping interest rates low he was able to create the illusion of a healthy economy but his reckless handling of the country's finances have now been laid bare. The Conservative Party has consistently been ahead in the polls since Autumn 2007 as people have become evermore disenchanted with the Labour government. This was evident from Boris Johnson's triumphant election as the first Conservative Mayor for London and Kit Malthouse's election as the Assembly member for West Central.
 
We are fortunate to have Mark Field as our MP. His knowledge of the City of London is highly valued at this time of economic turmoil and he has made a key contribution on matters relating to the future role of the City as a world financial centre. He has also spoken on youth violence and knife crime, security matters and pensions. He works vigorously on behalf of this Association and I look forward to his return to Parliament with an increased majority at the next general election. I am very grateful to Mark for being such a conscientious supporter of our events and it is always a pleasure to see him and his wife, Victoria, on these occasions
 
As I write this we are gearing up for the important European Election, which will take place on 4th June. This will be the first national poll of Gordon Brown's premiership and I believe will demonstrate the total loss of confidence in him and the Labour Party. John Bowis is not seeking re-election in June, he has served the London constituency at the European Parliament for the last 10 years and I would like to thank him for all he has done over that time. We have eight excellent candidates, including Dr Charles Tannock and Syed Kamall our present MEPs, who are fighting hard for the Conservative vote.
 
I am aware that Chairmen come and go but the constant in our Association is Donald Stewart, our Agent. It has been a pleasure to have worked with him during my time as Chairman. His forensic knowledge of how the Association functions and the political landscape coupled with his charm and ability to fundraise so successfully, regardless of economic conditions, are legendry. Marzena Mazur-Halasi is an invaluable member of the Ebury Street team making light of her demanding workload with good grace. Our best wishes to her on her marriage with Andy Halasi last September. Paula Almeida our membership secretary continues to do an excellent job keeping the records up to date.
 
Patrick Evershed, our President, gives this Association exceptional support and I'm indebted to him for all the help he has given me. As Chairman I am extremely privileged to have a strong officer team. Kate McCarthy has proved to be an outstanding Vice Chairman and the time she gives the Association has made my job less onerous. She has with great dedication and enthusiasm liaised with the Wards during elections as well as having organised the annual membership campaign. Clare Hambro completes her first year as Hon. Treasurer and has proved to be an excellent member of the team. The Women's Group under Vivien Mitchell's chairmanship continues to be a cornerstone of the Association. Uncomplainingly, they give so much of their time to help and the Association would find it hard to operate so effectively without them.
 
Sam Billett stepped down as Chairman of the Conservative Future and Edward Hallam has taken over the reins with great energy. Frederic Golestaneh retired as chairman of the Middle East Cultural Group and I'm pleased that Neville Green who succeeded him has already organised a number of interesting talks. The Conservative Policy Forum, chaired by Tony Devenish, and the Young Professionals, chaired by Carolyn Ward, continue to flourish. The Chinese Group under Kam Lee's Chairmanship, which includes members from all over the country, makes a valuable contribution. 
 
Our social gatherings play a key role as a main revenue source for the Association and last year was no exception. Most notably, Patrick Evershed who ran the Two Cities Luncheon, with David Cameron as guest speaker, raised a record amount. This one event alone has enabled us to increase our contribution to Conservative Central Office and my thanks to Patrick and his committee for all their hard work. The Trafalgar Evening with John Redwood as guest speaker was a notable success and my thanks to Frances Kutock our Mutual Aid Officer for instigating this dinner. I am extremely grateful to Christabel Flight and the Warwick Ward Committee for organising the Handel's Messiah Concert. This was a joint event with St Gabriel's Church and was enjoyable for both participants and audience alike. The Association's Christmas Party was chaired by the charming Sally Farmiloe-Neville and was held at HeyJo's Club. The Annual Champagne Reception at Canning House where HE Mrs Barbara Tuge-Ereci?ska, the Polish Ambassador, was the guest of honour. This successful evening had been organised by Teresa Potocka and her committee. The Thorneycroft Lunch, under Bob Baldwin's chairmanship, maintains its important role in our social calendar and, appropriately, they remain popular events.
 
The Wards are the bedrock of the Association, as it has been said in the past; without them there wouldn't be an Association. I would like to thank the excellent Chairmen of the eleven Wards and their committees who have contributed so much over the last year by organising electioneering as well as raising funds. My thanks to Laura Royde, Val Howard, Cathy Longworth and Martin Gibson, the outgoing Ward Chairmen, for all their past help and I welcome William Cottazzi, Hyde Park, Michael Farrow, City of London, Anthony Lake, Knightsbridge and Belgravia, and Rob Jenrick, Vincent Square. Sadly, as many members will know, Gordon Tooth, the former Tachbrook Ward chairman, died in December. He was a good friend of the Conservative Party and a great supporter of this Association and he is greatly missed by all who knew him.
 
Westminster City Council is one of the top rated Councils for services. This has been achieved despite freezing the Council Tax for the second year running. This impressive record is thanks to our hard working Councillors: Sir Simon Milton, the former leader, who retired as a Councillor to become Deputy Mayor of London and to the new leader Cllr Colin Barrow.
 
Blueprint, our members' quarterly magazine, continues to be well received and I'm indebted to Ryan Shorthouse, Natalie Elphicke and Marzena Mazur Halasi for their invaluable contribution as editors.
 
During the year the Association's website was redesigned and is now proving to be a useful tool both for communication and for the generation of funds. Our thanks go to Lucy Hamilton-James for keeping everything on the website up-to-date.
 
Finally, I would like to thank you, the members. Not only do you aid our candidates at election time but also you give generously to the fundraising activities. This is a voluntary organisation and it is your generosity, hard work and dedication that have made the CLWCA the success it is today.
 
Chairman
Edward Davies-Gilbert