Dear Members,
I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year with your families and that you are energised for 2026. We have an exciting year ahead as we prepare to fight future elections and stand up for Conservative values in our constituency.
These monthly newsletters are to update you on what is happening in your local Honiton & Sidmouth Conservative Association. There are so many ways you can get involved in our activities, such as by joining one of our campaign sessions or attending one of our events. I hope you find these emails useful and do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
Dates for the Diary
- January–March: Campaign action days on farming, energy and the local economy
- February: South West Conservatives Gala Dinner and Conference
- March: Sid Valley social event with a guest speaker
(Further details shared directly with members via Email.)
Reflections on 2025 and a New Year
The first few months of the year were spent fighting local elections for Devon County Council. Despite plenty of campaigning and hard work from our candidates and team, we were unable to win any seats against a very tough political backdrop. A huge thank you to our campaign team, all of our candidates and everyone who helped in any way. The Association also enjoyed a farming talk from our former MP Neil Parish, a dinner with Lord Barwell and a campaign visit from the previous Party Chairman Nigel Huddleston MP.
Our new management team were elected at the AGM in May. Campaigning continued with a membership recruitment drive and delivery of constituency-wide literature. The Association held stalls at local shows, where we were able to meet people and discuss the issues that mattered most to them.
The West Hill branch continued its tradition of holding excellent events with high-profile speakers. Alan Richardson and the West Hill team do so much for our Association and I thank them for their continued work.
Campaigns on immigration and education continued into the Autumn. Whilst some who had left us were not necessarily ready to support us again, we felt that voters appreciated hearing from us on the issues that mattered most to them.
In October at the Conservative Party Conference, our leader Kemi Badenoch announced a policy platform of Stronger Economy, Stronger Borders. This platform set out much of what we were looking for and many members of our Association attended Conference to hear about this first-hand. Alongside our local message of Doing Things Differently, I now feel confident we can go to the doorsteps with a much clearer and more coherent direction for our party.
In the final two months of the year, we faced an East Devon District Council by-election in Seaton. Whilst we were not able to win this by-election, we did achieve a notable improvement on our position since the May local elections. This was a testament to the excellent work of our candidate Karen Boyes and our campaign team — thank you to everyone who gave up their time at a cold time of year. We learned a great deal from the campaign and will take that forward.
Lastly, we held an Association Christmas Luncheon with the Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride MP shortly after the Budget. Several members attended and heard directly from Sir Mel about how the Conservative Party can respond to the Government’s economic agenda. The visit also included a stop at a local business in Sidmouth. This event raised significant funds for the Association, and I would like to thank everyone involved in organising and supporting it.
Looking Ahead to 2026
In 2026, our programme continues with a strong schedule of campaigning and events led by our branches and the Association. We will continue campaigning on farming, energy and the local economy across the constituency.
Division Organisers have now been appointed to help lead on campaigning, fundraising and member engagement across the constituency, and they will be in touch shortly.
This is also the year in which we begin moving towards the 2027 elections and the next General Election, with selection processes advancing. If you have any thoughts about candidates or standing yourself, please do get in touch.
Management Team Update
Jack Barwell stepped back from the Management Team following his decision to pursue a parliamentary list application. A huge thank you to Jack for his contribution. He continues to support the wider Campaign Team by advising on policy and strategy.
Mark Kingscote has also stepped down as Deputy Chairman, Membership & Fundraising, following his election to the Devon Area Management Team. I would like to thank Mark for his work. Claire Parris has continued this work and played a key role in recent successful events.
Dylan Burtoft has joined the Management Team to support the Association’s digital activity, including social media and online campaigning.
The Executive Council
Under the Party Constitution, the Executive Committee is the ultimate decision-making body in the Association and is dissolved after each AGM to be re-formed. The Management Team’s role is to enact the decisions of the Executive.
Members will be contacted shortly regarding the reconstitution of the Executive Council ahead of its next meeting.
Last Few Things…
- Membership subscription rates have increased slightly following a national decision to invest in new membership and campaigning technology.
- Please ensure you are following our Association on Facebook for updates.
- If you feel you could help the Association in any way, please get in touch at [email protected] — there is always more to do and support is always appreciated.
Thank you all for your continued support. It has not been an easy time for the Conservatives, but I firmly believe that we are turning a corner. We hope to see you soon at one of our events.
Please do get in touch if you have any comments, questions or requests.
Best wishes,
Dominic Nancekievill
Chairman
Honiton & Sidmouth Conservative Association
