Public affairs and communications management

"Cameron's success yesterday of opening the membership of the 1922 Committee to include the entire Conservative Party, was the first victory against his backbenchers. However the war is not over.

The Prime Minster, like many of his predecessors, cannot boast good relations with the majority of Conservative MPs. In fact some might argue that Cameron's distain for the grassroots conservatism within his own party will be his downfall. While in opposition Cameron and his inner circle were able to maintain dialogue with backbenchers through the former 1922 Committee chairman, Sir Michael Spicer and Andrew McKay. However, since both MPs stood down at the last election this connection has been cut.

Instead of seeking to improve relations with his backbenchers, Cameron ruthlessly exploited the nativity of the Conservative new intake to push through the payroll vote, knowing that the Chairman and members of the 1922 Committee will again play a vital role in politics after years of landslide victories.

With a swell in the number of the Cameron faithful as members of the 1922 Committee, the election of the pro-Cameron chairman, Richard Ottaway MP, seems increasingly likely. This will do nothing for the democratic and consensus workings of the Conservative Party.

Many traditional Conservatives across the country claim to have become disillusioned with Cameron's Conservative Party. Cameron and his inner circle need to be kept informed of the political feelings of their grassroots supporters. Many claim that an emasculated 1922 Committee, with a chairman who in unable or unwilling to present uncomfortable facts to Cameron, will do nothing for the Conservative Party or for democracy. If this happens, Conservative backbenchers may consider setting up a new club in order to express their discontent.

So in years to come we may find that backbench and grass roots Conservatives are cheering the 2010 Committee."