Tottenham Conservatives

was founded in 1834. Today, in 2017, the Conservatives are the largest party in the House of Commons, meaning that Conservative MPs form Her Majesty's Government. We are also the largest party in local government, with around 9,237 elected councillors across the country. The present Leader of the Party is The Right Honourable Theresa May MP, who serves as Prime Minister. Our Party is organised into Conservative Associations which operate at the local level, with one in each Parliamentary constituency.

-- About Tottenham Conservative Association --

We are the local Conservative Association in the Tottenham constituency; we represent the eastern and central wards of the London Borough of Haringey, encompassing Bruce Grove, Harringay, Northumberland Park, Seven Sisters, St. Ann's, Tottenham Green, Tottenham Hale, West Green, and White Hart Lane. Since the 2015 and 2017 UK General Elections, we are the second largest political party in Tottenham, and achieve results considerably further ahead of all other local opposition parties. We are a small but friendly and active Conservative Association, with an exciting calendar of social events, a huge team of officers and patrons, and an outstanding ability to provide an effective fighting force wherever it is required. The main decision-making body in our Association is the Executive Council, which is made up of elected representatives from the constituency, the wards, and affiliated organisations, and appointed patrons.

-- Our beliefs --

We believe in, and seek to further, the ideals found within conservatism and British unionism. Our Party has these ideologies at its core, but is a broad church with people of different political perspectives and life experiences. As an Association, we believe in the power of the individual and personal freedom, but also recognise the positive role that the state can play. We believe in low taxation, but taxation which is sufficient to provide the very best public services. We understand that the state and taxes imposed by the state can help to provide the best schools for Tottenham's children and young people, an outstanding National Health Service which cares for our residents, a sensible social welfare system, and a strong economy, among other things. We support the preservation of the social institutions that bind us together, and support family values in the context of a society with increasingly diverse family types. We are proud of Britain's history, culture, and continued role in the world, and believe that these should be celebrated. We support the teaching of 'British values' in local schools, as is a statutory requirement, and believe in the core taught values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual tolerance. We recognise the Christian heritage of the United Kingdom, and the role played by people of all faiths and none in modern Britain. We will defend the Christian faith and wider religious freedom for Christians (of all denominations), Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, and all other religious minorities. We believe in a strong national defence in an increasingly dangerous world, including the current commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defence, and the renewal of Britain's independent nuclear deterrent. We believe in well-resourced public services, and respect and admire the contribution made to Tottenham by our Police Officers, Fire Officers, National Health Service staff, teachers, teaching assistants, librarians, and many others. We promote equality and inclusion for all members of our local community and the country more widely, and believe in opportunity for all regardless of background. We believe in stimulating social mobility, particularly in respect of education and employment opportunities, especially for those from under-priviliged or under-represented backgrounds. We profoundly believe in nurturing and strengthening the United Kingdom - the historic royal, legal, political, and cultural Union between England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

-- Our position on Brexit --

During the campaign period of the UK's referendum on membership of the European Union, Tottenham Conservative Association adopted a position of neutrality, meaning that our resources could not be used to support either side. This was typical of most Conservative Associations around the country. Whilst no comprehensive polling was done, we know that many of our members voted to 'Leave', and many to 'Remain'. With the result of that referendum now known, it is clear that Britain is leaving the European Union (EU). This was confirmed when the Prime Minister invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. Now, our Association are supporting Her Majesty's Government in getting the best possible Brexit deal. As an Association, we believe that the only way to truly respect the referendum result is to leave all parts of the EU, including the Single Market, the Customs Union, and the European Court of Justice. Anything less would compromise the wish of those who voted to leave the EU. Brexit must mean the United Kingdom fully regaining its sovereignty, with control over our money, borders, law, and democracy. Parliament should be the highest legislative authority in the land, and the UK Supreme Court (and courts in the three legal jurisdictions - England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) should be the highest judicial bodies in the land. However, we are equally clear that some elements of the pre-Brexit world must be retained, including the rights of EU nationals living in the UK. Tottenham is home to many communities, including many from member states of the EU, and we believe it is right that they are given a sense of security. We are pleased that the Prime Minister has said that EU nationals' rights will be protected. Regardless of which way our members voted, or the wider Tottenham electorate voted, we recognise that it is now the time to unite and ensure the best possible deal from Brexit.