How to rekindle the flame?

Tories Discuss Renewal of Party

The three-day brain-storming session at the Conservative Political Centre comes after the Tory's crushing defeat at the last general election. Senior Conservative politicians have called for a comprehensive reform of the party's rules and structure.

The Tory grandees will analyse the work of Labour's 'spin doctor' Peter Mandelson, and of fellow conservative Newt Gingrich, speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

The calls for a reform of the party grew louder on Friday when it emerged that Neil Hamilton, the former Tory minister condemned for his role in the cash-for-questions scandal, might be beyond the party's disciplinary reach. Party officials were even unable to confirm whether Mr Hamilton was still a member of the party or not.

Tory activists say that the party is in desperate need of restructuring in order to form an "effective" Parliamentary opposition.

During the weekend meeting, party chairman Lord Parkinson will explain his plans for rebuilding the party; vice-chairman Alan Duncan, MP, will speak on the subject "Reviving Conservatism and selling it".

About 70 party representatives are expected at the Conservative Political Centre summer school at Cambridge's Churchill College.

Danny Finkelstein, the director of the Conservative Research Department, will make the opening comments. During the last election campaign Mr Finkelstein was in charge of co-ordinating the party's strategy.