Should i join the conservative party

You will then renew your registration annually. Registration is now an individual rather than household responsibility.

Once registered, you are able to vote by post, by proxy, or by returning to the UK on election day. New changes now mean that you should receive your postal vote in good time to vote from overseas.

When you vote from overseas your ballot is counted in the constituency in which you were last registered to vote. There is a Conservative Party manifesto commitment to abolish the 15 year rule. This means that you will be able to vote even if you have lived overseas for more than 15 years, once the legislation has been passed. What is Conservatives Abroad? How do I join Conservatives Abroad? Is there a Conservatives Abroad group in my area? Joining the Rotherham Conservative Party is an exciting prospect to help us spread our message of rewarding hard work and supporting families.

Here are a range of membership benefits:. Any person living in the United Kingdom is eligible to join the Conservative Party. Applicants are not required to be registered voters or UK nationals. There is no upper or lower age limit on membership, although children under the age of 15 cannot be enrolled as full voting members. The costs to your career Although some parties have reported a surge in membership since the election, the long-term trend is of decline.

This may be a reflection on the fact that, for some, the ramifications of joining are significant. It may, for example, be compulsory to do so if you work for the civil service, the police, a local authority or in production or editorial at the BBC.

You may also be asked to declare such political interests if you work for other public sector organisations such as the NHS or a university. This is particularly likely if you are involved in procurement or grant applications and awards, or if your job involves making impartial assessments or financial reporting. Board members of public bodies such as Highways England, Big Lottery Fund and the Crown Prosecution Service need to be prepared for such declarations to be published online, in documents listing their names and political interests.

Activism v membership Although most organisations allow employees to join a party, political activism — such as delivering leaflets for a particular candidate, standing for a party office or commenting on political matters in public — may be strictly forbidden. Politically restricted civil servants — members of the senior civil service and civil servants at levels immediately below this, plus members of the Fast Stream development programme — are not allowed to take part in national political activities and must seek permission to take part in local political activities.

At the BBC, meanwhile, there is rigorous scrutiny of those working in journalism and other sensitive editorial positions, and in the most senior roles. Others, it says, have been demoted, but are unable to prove this was related to their membership.

How much does it cost? Any concessions? Do you have to live in the UK?