Letter: Restructuring the Young Tories

Sir: I should like to correct the impression in your article on the Young Conservatives ('Young Tories face curb on influence', 5 March) that there would be general support for a splitting of the YCs into two groupings; one for those under the age of 25 years, and one for those between 25 years and 40 years old.

Many YC branch members regard such a move with horror, believing that it would wreck the organisation on the ground.

Quite apart from the fact that there simply aren't enough members to run two organisations, many YCs feel it would cause them a great deal of disruption without providing any clear benefits.

It is also felt that the party should be encouraging people, from their early thirties onwards, to take on positions of responsibility in their local Conservative associations, rather than diverting them into other new party structures.

Many YC members would support a restructuring of the national and area YC organisations as long overdue, but believe that the branches which spend their time raising money, recruiting members and canvassing for the party in elections should be left to get on with the job they do so well.

Yours faithfully,

JOHN JAMES

Secretary, North London Area

Young Conservatives

London, N18

6 March