Dating and making contacts: Why young people bother to attend the Tory conference

I’ve been told by those in the know, that conference is a prime dating event. Although unfortunately I can’t say this is from personal experience

One of the questions at conference will be the future leadership of the party (Getty)

Why at age twenty-something, living in the greatest city on earth, with bars, clubs and a myriad of events to offer, am I choosing to make the uncomfortable and surprisingly expensive train journey to Manchester to spend four days stuck in a conference centre with a bunch of Tories? For those who find that question self-explanatory, I’m pleased to say welcome to the club, and for those who don’t I’ll try to explain.

For myself personally, the question I’d put to anyone remotely interested in the economy, the NHS, education, foreign affairs, the future of work, Brexit, and the elephant in the room – the future leadership of the party – would be: why wouldn’t you want to go?

I am going to be there to listen, in person, to the decision-makers that will determine our nation’s future in the coming parliament. To engage with the researchers at leading think tanks who are shaping political policy. To have my say on the party’s future direction. Or to have an impromptu pint with that guy you always seem to see on Politics Today. All should sound tantalising to those with a passion for politics and current affairs.

There is of course another set of reasons why this year I will be making this particular political pilgrimage. I am actually one of those sad sacks who are actively involved in party activities all year round. And yes that did include pushing “Strong and Stable” Brexit leaflets through the doors of my fellow Londoners during the general election – despite the fact that I am a Remainer.

Along with my involvement within various think tanks, clubs, groups, and the local party association, comes an inevitable social aspect to all of this dry politics chat. I have met some weird and truly wonderful people in the Conservative Party. Probably helped along by the volume of alcohol generally involved at get-togethers. Don’t let our name fool you, we can actually be quite good fun after a pint or two.

Party conference therefore becomes the main social, as well as political, event in the annual calendar and a chance to see existing friends as well as to make new ones and crucial contacts along the way. This is particularly important if you currently work in the political field or are looking for an entry. As with most industries, it’s not what you know but who you know.

It’s no surprise that many doctors and police officers intermarry within their profession due to difficult working hours and unique pressures, and so it is with many on the political scene. After all, who else wants to date someone whose hobby is politics, spends hours every week knocking on strangers doors, and thinks new leaflet design is good dinner conversation? Mainly only others like us, or those with high tolerances. And so conference can also, so I’ve been told by those in the know, be a prime dating event. Although unfortunately I can’t say this is from personal experience.

As for the event itself there are many questions waiting to be answered throughout this four-day political marathon. Will the editor of the London Evening Standard make it in without having his ticket revoked? Will the enthusiasm of Boris finally be reined in or let loose? Is it physically possible for Ruth Davidson to get any more popular? What is Moggmentum and how does one cure such an affliction?

Critically for the party, we have to decide what our clear and defining message is to the people of this country in a time of unparalleled uncertainty and political upheaval. How do we combat Corbyn’s socialist revival?

This and more I hope to see and hear at party conference. Not simply in soundbites on BBC News or in condensed summaries in the national papers, but there, in the heart of the action, in amongst the membership, just off camera, and within touching distance of the foundation of our parliamentary democracy.

If that doesn’t convince you to attend conference then I don’t know what will. Did I mention the free food and drink?