Ameet Jogia MBE is Head of International at CCHQ and a former political adviser and parliamentary candidate
The Conservative Party’s International Department is now entering a new era. As our new Leader, Kemi Badenoch said, we need to turn CCHQ into a campaigning machine that rivals, not just those of our competitors in the UK, but to be the best around the world.
This puts the International Department at the heart of our operations, with it playing a crucial role in the rebuild of the Party in opposition. Now more than ever, we need to learn from our sister parties around the world, in terms of how quickly and effectively others have come back into power.
As one of the oldest political parties in the world, we also have a duty to maintain our presence across the global political platform. From Canada and the United States to India, our time in opposition will present opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange, as well as promoting our shared democratic values.
At a time when we face shared challenges, including economic instability, security threats and ideological divisions, it is essential to align with other like-minded conservative parties to build a unified front to address these issues. Through the International Department, our Party can exchange best practices, learn from policy successes in other countries and lend support when allied parties face significant challenges.
In Canada for example, the Conservative Party of Canada’s journey from opposition to resurgence offers crucial lessons. After a significant defeat in 1993, the Canadian Conservatives underwent a period of introspection, merging with the Canadian Alliance to form the new Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. This unity allowed them to broaden their base, consolidate conservative support, and eventually win in 2006 under Stephen Harper.
In Europe, several centre-right parties, such as Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), have successfully kept far-right movements at bay while maintaining their conservative identity. And in India, the BJP has demonstrated remarkable resilience. By reinventing itself through strategy, social outreach, and modern political branding, the BJP have had one leader in Narendra Modi, in the same time that we have had five leaders.
Now is the time to learn how.
Historically, the Conservative Party’s International Department has functioned somewhat like a “Tory diplomatic service,” facilitating connections with global conservative parties, coordinating events, and supporting shared initiatives. Whilst this has been invaluable, with changing global political patterns, the department can now play a key role in learning from our sister parties by gathering intelligence and feed insights back to CCHQ, especially with emerging conservative strategies worldwide. It will allow us as an organisation to stay updated on international political trends, anticipate challenges, and seize opportunities that arise in the evolving global conservative movement.
Ultimately, by learning from our sister parties and gathering and sharing intelligence in a structured and meaningful way, the department can strengthen the Party’s strategic planning and help it remain competitive in a rapidly changing political landscape. This approach would support party leaders with valuable insights, while maintaining a distinctly British identity.
So what does this mean for the International Department? Well firstly this is an ideal opportunity to learn from our sister parties about successful campaign strategies and how it can enhance our Party’s approach. Is Get Out The Vote the day before Polling Day still relevant? Or should we do what our sister parties in North America do and solidify our vote at least five days before?
Techniques for voter outreach – how the Republicans manage to secure the Latino American vote and get them on side for the immigration debate – is something we can replicate here. Research has shown that ethnic minority communities are far more likely to care about controlled immigration than pollsters would think. This is reflected in how polls have massively underestimated the Conservative vote in diverse areas.
Social media is now a critical part of any election campaign. But whilst platforms and engagement strategies vary widely by country, and innovative approaches from successful conservative campaigns abroad can provide useful frameworks. This could include about learning about effective content types, frequency and engagement tactics for reaching a much younger audience.
Whilst policies themselves may not be directly transferable due to different legislative contexts, learning how other parties approach policy research, think tank collaboration, and stakeholder engagement can be useful. Looking abroad to see how we can balance traditional conservative values with modern issues, like climate change could be particularly relevant.
Understanding how sister parties conduct voter research, especially on issues that tend to be more contentious, can inform better polling practices and research methodologies. For instance, insights on responding to polarized opinions could help shape more effective messaging strategies. Observing how conservative parties work with allied political forces can inform coalition-building strategies in the UK, whether with other political groups, businesses, or interest groups. This can be particularly useful in an evolving political landscape where alliances are crucial.
Central to this is our relationship with the International Democrat Union (IDU), founded by Margaret Thatcher in 1983. Our Party’s involvement in the International Democrat Union (IDU) reflects our commitment to strengthening democratic values globally. We must ensure the IDU continues to provide a platform for shared initiatives, policy discussions and international solidarity.
The upcoming IDU Forum in Washington this December, will be our first in opposition in 14 years. It is essential that we have a robust presence and enhance our capacity to influence global policy directions and provide a support network to uphold democracy in places where it may be under threat.
Our Party also plays a key role in promoting democracy worldwide through the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD). We have a proud record of supporting developing democracies. By partnering with our sister parties across Africa and the Caribbean, we have not only helped bolster political stability, but also supported governance structures that prioritise transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
Looking ahead Party’s International Department shouldn’t just be seen an a diplomatic asset, but a strategic imperative. So as the Party rebuilds, the team looks forward to reestablishing itself within the Party and ensuring that the Party remains an influential voice within the global conservative movement.
