Following the news the Conservative Party has opened up its approved candidates' list to applicants, we are delighted to announce our Future Patrons 2029 scheme.
The candidates' list is open and we know many of our members will be seeking to apply, some having been on there previously and others for the first time.
Our Future Patrons 2029 scheme will aim to provide practical support for future candidates, with mentorship from people who have been there and done it on this very process.
The LGBT+ Conservatives was proud as an organisation, at the last General Election, to have several of its members on the Party's approved candidates' list, selected for seats and ultimately some elected to Parliament. We are keen to repeat this and enhance this for the next General Election.
Beyond this for those selected for seats, our Candidates' Fund has been of immense support to LGBT+ Conservatives in the past and we stand ready to prepare this fund for the next General Election.
Please join us on this journey and, if you are interested in applying to become an approved candidate, please fill out the form here.
Responding to the announcement, the Chairman of the LGBT+ Conservatives Luke Robert Black MBE responded by saying:
"Last year, we brought together a Future Patrons Scheme for the snap 2024 General Election. We were proud to see just under 50 members of the LGBT+ Conservatives successful onto the Official Conservative Party Candidates' List and a further 24 candidates successfully selected. What was special about these candidates was not their immutable characteristics, or their being LGBT+, but instead their raw talent, big ideas, unapologetic Tory values and hard work ethic.
"Fantastic people, like John Cope, Aled Thomas, Chris Dey and John Wheeler were successful, bringing with them a wealth of business, education, farming and leadership experiences - all showing that the next generation of Conservative MPs was coming through the ranks and that renewal was underway. Many were supported by our Candidates' Fund, alongside incumbent Conservative MPs such as the Rt. Hon. Stuart Andrew MP, Paul Holmes MP and the Rt. Hon. David Mundell MP".
Responding to the announcement, Vice-Chair for the Candidates' Fund Nathan Morley responded by saying:
"As Vice-Chair for the Candidates' Fund, I am delighted the LGBT+ Conservatives are launching this scheme. The Candidates' Fund is a vital element of supporting our future patrons with financial support, but prior to that mentorship has proved very useful in the past to help our members navigate the whole process of getting on the list, selected and ultimately elected.
I have no doubt our members will value the insight and experience of the mentors that have been lined up by the LGBT+ Conservatives. It's been heartening how many people have come forward to assist with this as mentors and I look forward to working with them all and our members.
We want to support our future patrons in every way we can."
Responding to the announcement, Vice-Chair for Outreach Cllr Alex Clarkson responded by saying:
"‘This will be the most important General Election our Party has fought in generations. Not just because our country cannot afford, quite literally, another five years of Labour, but also because more than ever, the Conservative Candidates that are selected and elected will shape and influence the direction of our Party for decades to come".
"LGBT+ Conservatives were with me every step of the way during my candidacy at the last General Election - financial support, access to mentoring, networking and advice, and crucially, campaign support".
"It was this high level of support from the last Future Patrons programmed that inspired me to formally join this incredible team at LGBT+ Conservatives as its Vice Chairman (Outreach)."
"With record numbers of LGBT+ Conservatives on the Candidates’ List and subsequently selected , this new Future Patrons programme tailored to 2029 is going to be vital in sourcing, developing and securing the brightest and the best for the battle ahead. Onward!’"
If you are interested in applying to become an approved candidate, please fill out the form here.
