An email sent to Conservative members from Suella Braverman, which criticised an “activist blob of left-wing lawyers, civil servants and the Labour Party” for blocking immigration action has caused outrage – predominantly from the very same activist blob of left-wing lawyers, civil servants. After the boss of the FDA civil service union complained to Rishi, demanding an apology, Suella disavowed herself of the email. It’s in Greg’s Hands now…

Despite Suella’s claims of innocence, the email has caused trouble closer to home, as Harry Cole reports her Permanent Secretary, Matthew Rycroft, was apparently sent “shouty crackers” by the communication. This won’t come as a surprise to co-conspirators. Guido has often reported on the activist inclinations of the Marsham Street blob.

Although just one email is receiving press attention, CCHQ sent out two near identical emails yesterday – 5 minutes apart – evening. Just one included the provocative phrasing – perhaps someone on Matthew Parker Street could explain the reasoning given both were sent out before the backlash. One email had more temperate phrasing. What marketing segmentation drove the thinking?

As far as Guido can surmise, CCHQ are far from concerned with the media reception of their communications, they’re pleased. Standing up to left-wing lawyers and civil servants seems like a vote winner in both the Red Wall and Tory shires…

Last week Guido reported that Wendy Morton faced a challenge getting re-selected. In the event CCHQ came to the rescue of Wendy Morton at the selection meeting held for the new Aldridge-Brownhills Constituency. Guido’s local co-conspirator recounts how the meeting and the voting went:

The meeting was held on Saturday at the unusually early time of 10 a.m. at a venue previously unknown to many members. In the days before the meeting members had raised with Black Country Area concerns over the make-up of the Selection meeting. Three wards which have a low membership are organised into one branch yet each ward in that branch was allocated three places at the meeting. Besides the Assocation Chair and Deputy Chairs the President and secretary were allocated votes also, these positions are usually in an Association considered honorary or appointments. By contrast the wards in the south of the constituency, which are largely considered to be against the re-selection of Ms Morton had their places limited.

Streetly Ward which has a membership of over 50 and the ward where Councillor Suky Samra belongs had no votes. Councillor Samra has called publicly for Ms Morton to stand aside. One member was unable to attend due to the timing as was another member from Aldridge Central Branch. They were allowed no substitutes. The two other members from Streetly were informed because they live outside the ward, they are unable to have a vote. Two members from Streetly put themselves forward as substitutes and this was agreed by the Conservative Area Office at Burton on Trent. Black Country Area receiving complaints agreed to look into the eligibility of those voting at the meeting however CCHQ stepped in and despite the Black Country overseeing all the other selection meetings in the area parachuted an officer from West Midlands Region, Matty Haven to chair the meeting.

Hours before the meeting the two Streetly substitute members were told they had registered ‘too late’ and could not attend. Therefore, Streetly Branch ended up with no members at the meeting. At the meeting a member tried to raise the matter of the letter of no confidence in the MP signed by around 100 Aldridge-Brownhills members, was ruled out of order and the letter not discussed. Despite the best efforts of CCHQ however the vote was not unanimous. The result probably 17 for 5 against.

A long-standing former party member and associate of the previous MP, Sir Richard Shepherd, on hearing of the result says, “the clowns at CCHQ may get the candidates they want, but they won’t get the workers”. Another source concedes CCHQ may have tipped the scales, though insists she would have won a membership vote regardless.

CCHQ has just announced the pay rise offer to staff. Amid record inflation and major cost of living squeezes – especially in London – party HQ staffers are to receive a maximum 4% pay increase. Given the financial black hole facing the Tory Party at the moment, this is hardly a surprising move. Party workers will no doubt be happy to set an austere example…

At the end of January, it emerged CCHQ scrapped “unconscious bias” training for parliamentary candidates, after a backlash from Tory MPs accusing the party’s HQ of pushing “divisive nonsense”. It turned out that scrapping the training was one of the last things Zahawi ever did…

Now Guido can reveal CCHQ staff haven’t been blessed with the same anti-woke move.

On Friday, staff received an hour-long session on “Anti-Muslim Hatred Awareness”, which included a group quiz on whether something is hateful or not. Staff were taught the differences between unpleasantry and hate crimes, with the implication being that it’s difficult to prove the distinction. 

The lecture was part of a broader series of lectures on “awareness“, with staff receiving a similar session on antisemitism last month. They’re being spearheaded by the “Community Engagement Team” inside CCHQ, who also organise party HQ trips to places during religious festivals, including to a recent fireworks display for Diwali. Guido’s sure MPs and activists alike will be delighted to hear this is how staff are spending their time given the current dire state of CCHQ’s finances…

Earlier this week it was revealed Conservative candidates are receiving vital “unconscious bias” training ahead of their selection, with useful lessons in “white resentment” and gender fluidity all on the menu. Would-be MPs were even advised against being alone with a member of the opposite sex…

Now ITV reports the Party has deleted the course entirely, after a fierce backlash from Tory MPs – including the Common Sense group, chaired by Sir John Hayes – warned that the training was “divisive nonsense” that needed scrapping. The Common Sense group immediately demanded a meeting at CCHQ, including with Party Chair Nadhim Zahawi, with Zahawi later writing to MPs:

“This ‘training’ was provided by a private contractor as an optional extra to our candidates. It was not commissioned or endorsed by the Party and once I found out about it I have ensured it has been removed […] I don’t believe anyone should be ashamed of who they are or their background and this ‘training’ has no place in the Conservative Party.”

That’s one mess Zahawi’s cleaned up, at least…

Guido hears the battle to save Suella Braverman ahead of the general election is causing headaches at CCHQ. As first reported in the Mail on Sunday, boundary changes mean Braverman’s Fareham constituency is set to become Fareham and Waterlooville, with Flick Drummond’s Meon Valley seat abolished entirely. A new seat, Hamble Valley, is also up for grabs. Drummond and Braverman are now heading for a selection fight over Fareham and Waterlooville, and it’s not expected to be an easy fight for the Home Secretary. The Battle of Waterlooville begins…

Guido understands CCHQ paused the selection process six weeks ago. It was supposed to be wrapped up this month – yet no new date has been set yet. A CCHQ source insisted “it’s a more complicated boundary change than most”, and not to “read too much into it”. “Complicated” is one way of putting it…

In the meantime, Suella has selected the new Hamble Valley seat as her second preference, if Drummond ends up winning in Fareham and Waterlooville. Guido, however, hears she’s not a shoo-in there either. Could Braverman really end up without a safe seat ahead of the general election?