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ConservativeHome
ConservativeHome
from Wikipedia

Key Information

ConservativeHome is a politically conservative news website and events company. It was first established by Tim Montgomerie in 2005 with the aim of arguing for a broad conservative spectrum, which is serious about both social justice and a fair competitive economy.[1] A second aim of the blog is to represent grassroots Conservatives,[2][3][4] and is independent of, but supportive of, the Conservative Party.

Editors

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ConservativeHome was first edited by Tim Montgomerie, prior to the 2005 United Kingdom general election campaign.[5] In November 2008, Jonathan Isaby joined as a co-editor.[6] In 2009, Paul Goodman – the former Conservative MP for Wycombe – became the executive editor of ConservativeHome.[7]

In February 2013, Montgomerie announced that he would leave the site in April of the same year to become comment editor of The Times.[8] Goodman succeeded him as editor, and Mark Wallace joined the site as executive editor in May 2013. In January 2020 it was announced that Wallace would become the website's Chief Executive.

In 2022, Wallace became Chief Executive of Total Politics Group, owner of ConservativeHome, with Angus Parsad-Wyatt succeeding him as Chief Executive of ConservativeHome.

In 2024, following Paul Goodman's appointment to the House of Lords, Giles Dilnot was appointed editor of ConservativeHome.

Content

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The site took a leading role in co-ordinating grassroots support in opposing Michael Howard's attempt to abolish the "one man one vote" rule in the 2005 Conservative Party leadership election.[9]

ConservativeHome was critical of the A list and believed that former Conservative Party Leader David Cameron was in danger of alienating working class Conservative voters,[10][11][12] and pressed Cameron for specific pledges on tax cuts.[13]

It was credited with the most accurate record of MP affiliation during the 2005 Conservative Leadership election, and it also was the first to reveal the names on the "A-list" of candidates.[14][15] The Conservative chairman Francis Maude described it during the leadership election as "the only place to find out what's going on".[9]

"A Lefty Lexicon", a satirical article published in August 2006 on the site and written by Inigo Wilson, a man described as someone who "manages community affairs for a large telecoms company",[16] was criticised by the Muslim Public Affairs Committee UK (MPACUK).[citation needed] MPAC members discovered that Wilson was Community Affairs Manager for phone company Orange, and pressured the company to dismiss him. Wilson was initially suspended for the comments,[17] but later reinstated.[18]

In February 2012, ConservativeHome called for Andrew Lansley to be replaced as Health Secretary and for the Health and Social Care Bill to be abandoned.[19]

The site supported a Leave vote in the 2016 EU referendum.[20]

The site previously ran a fortnightly podcast with Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg called "The Moggcast".[21]

Business

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In September 2009 Lord Ashcroft, the then-Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, took a controlling stake of 57.5% in PoliticsHome, the politically-neutral sister-site to ConservativeHome.[22] In 2011, Ashcroft sold PoliticsHome to Dod's Group, which he co-owns, and retained ConservativeHome.

In 2017, the website stated that it gets over two million unique visitors a year.[23]

ConservativeHomeUSA

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In 2010, ConservativeHome launched an American site, ConservativeHomeUSA, which is edited by Ryan Streeter and Montgomerie. Contributors included John Thune, Roger Bate, Herbert London, David Frum and many other Republican and conservative think-tank and media figures. On 17 May 2012 the site announced its closure.[24]

See also

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References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
ConservativeHome is a British centre-right political news and commentary website founded in 2005 by to amplify grassroots Conservative voices and promote a broader within the party. It operates independently of the official Conservative Party structure, delivering daily news roundups through its Tory Diary section, in-depth , opinion pieces, and member surveys that gauge sentiment on key issues like leadership contests. The platform has exerted notable influence on internal Conservative debates by highlighting discrepancies between parliamentary elites and the membership base, with its polls demonstrating predictive accuracy in past leadership races and often shaping candidate strategies. Originally envisioned as a forum for compassionate yet firm conservative principles, ConservativeHome has critiqued party deviations toward or fiscal laxity, contributing to shifts in policy discourse on , welfare, and . Edited since 2023 by Giles Dilnot, it maintains a focus on empirical assessment of political outcomes over ideological conformity. While praised for fostering intra-party accountability, ConservativeHome has faced pushback from establishment figures for its unfiltered advocacy of member priorities, exemplified by founder Montgomerie's 2024 defection to amid frustrations with the Conservatives' delivery on core pledges. This evolution underscores its role as a of authentic conservative sentiment rather than a mouthpiece for prevailing .

History

Founding and Early Development

ConservativeHome was launched on March 28, 2005, which was , by , a conservative activist previously involved in student politics and the . The website originated as a aimed at representing the views of members of the Conservative Party, often referred to as "Tories," and advocating for a broad conservative agenda that emphasized both and . Montgomerie, who edited the site until 2013, positioned it as a counterweight to perceived elite dominance within the party, drawing on his experience in and policy advocacy to foster debate on issues like and party modernization. In its initial phase, ConservativeHome gained traction by covering internal Conservative Party dynamics, including leadership contests and policy critiques during the post-Iraq era when the party sought to recover from electoral defeats. The site quickly established itself as an independent voice, publishing opinion pieces, polls, and analysis that highlighted tensions between traditionalist and reformist factions, such as calls for the party to address alongside fiscal discipline. Early content focused on empowering ordinary members through features like constituency spotlights and critiques of Labour government policies, amassing a dedicated readership among party activists without initial formal affiliation to Conservative headquarters. By 2009, the platform's influence prompted funding from Lord Michael Ashcroft, a prominent Conservative donor, which enabled expansion while maintaining editorial independence under Montgomerie's direction. This period marked early growth in traffic and recognition, as the site contributed to discussions on David Cameron's leadership bid and the need for a "compassionate conservatism" that integrated social issues like family policy with market-oriented economics, reflecting Montgomerie's prior work with on .

Evolution and Key Milestones

ConservativeHome was established on , March 28, 2005, by as an independent online platform aimed at amplifying the perspectives of Conservative Party grassroots members and promoting a broad that emphasizes both and free-market principles. The launch coincided with internal party debates ahead of the 2005 general election, positioning the site as a forum for critiquing the leadership of and advocating reforms to broaden the party's appeal. In September 2009, ConservativeHome entered a significant ownership transition when Lord Ashcroft, a prominent Conservative donor and former party treasurer, acquired a 57.5% stake through a deal that merged it with the non-partisan PoliticsHome into a entity under his control, enhancing its operational resources while maintaining . This arrangement provided financial stability amid the site's growing influence during David Cameron's leadership era, though PoliticsHome was sold to Dods Group in 2011, leaving ConservativeHome as Ashcroft's retained asset and solidifying its focus on Tory-specific commentary. Under Ashcroft's ongoing ownership, the platform evolved from a primarily blog-style outlet into a multifaceted operation featuring daily news aggregation, in-depth analysis, and member surveys that have repeatedly demonstrated predictive accuracy in Conservative leadership contests, such as those in 2016 and 2019. Montgomerie's tenure as editor concluded in February 2013 when he departed to oversee comment pages at , marking a leadership shift that saw the site continue under co-editors like Jonathan Isaby while expanding its scope to include events, podcasts, and policy campaigns. Subsequent years witnessed adaptations to digital trends, including heightened emphasis on data-driven insights from party member polls and critiques of government policy, contributing to its reputation as a key influencer in intra-party dynamics without direct affiliation to Conservative headquarters. In August 2024, Giles Dilnot assumed the role of editor, bringing journalism experience to further professionalize content amid post-2024 election reflections on party renewal.

Leadership and Editorial Direction

Founders and Influential Editors

established ConservativeHome on 28 March 2005, shortly before the UK general election, as a platform to amplify Conservative Party perspectives and advocate for policy renewal within the party. , previously political secretary to during his leadership of the Conservatives, served as the site's inaugural editor from its launch until 2013, during which time it grew into a key forum for internal party debate and influencing leadership contests. Jonathan Isaby joined as co-editor in November 2008, contributing to the site's expansion in political reporting and commentary while drawing on his background as a lobby journalist. Paul Goodman, a former Conservative MP for Wycombe from 2001 to 2010, became executive editor in 2009 and later assumed the role of editor from 2013 to 2024, overseeing a period of sustained influence on Tory grassroots opinion through editorials, surveys, and analysis. Goodman's tenure emphasized broad Conservative perspectives, including scrutiny of party leadership and policy directions. Giles Dilnot succeeded Goodman as editor on 19 August 2024, bringing experience from roles in , special advisory positions in , and political communications. These figures have collectively shaped ConservativeHome's editorial voice, prioritizing member surveys, leadership polls, and critiques of establishment conservatism to reflect and guide party dynamics.

Current Leadership and Changes

Giles Dilnot has served as Editor of ConservativeHome since August 19, 2024, succeeding who held the position from 2013 until his appointment to the . Dilnot's background includes extensive experience in , communications, and media strategy, prior to which he contributed to various outlets covering politics. Henry Hill continues as Deputy Editor, focusing on news and analysis of Conservative Party dynamics. In March 2025, Tali Fraser joined as Assistant Editor, bringing prior experience from The magazine and other parliamentary journalism roles. No further leadership transitions have been announced as of October 2025, maintaining continuity in the site's editorial direction amid its role as an independent platform for conservative commentary.

Content and Features

Core Publications and Formats

ConservativeHome primarily publishes online articles and commentary focused on British conservative , with a emphasis on the Conservative Party's internal dynamics, policy debates, and electoral strategy. Its content is structured around dedicated sections including ToryDiary, which provides daily updates and analysis on party news and ; Comment, featuring opinion pieces and guest contributions from politicians, commentators, and activists; and Columnists, hosting regular columns by established writers such as former ministers offering fortnightly or periodic insights into policy and governance. A flagship format is , a daily roundup launched as a curated selection of hyperlinks to external news stories, editorials, and commentary relevant to conservative audiences, often accompanied by brief excerpts or editorial notes to highlight key angles, such as critiques of opposition policies or party developments. Published every weekday and weekend, Newslinks serves as an aggregated digest, drawing from mainstream outlets, think tanks, and conservative-leaning sources to provide readers with a synthesized overview without original reporting. The site also maintains coverage of opinion polls, frequently analyzing surveys from firms like or to gauge public and party member sentiment on issues such as preferences, , and , often integrating these into broader articles or standalone posts. Complementing , ConservativeHome distributes a free daily compiling top stories, analysis, and links from its sections, enabling subscribers to receive updates directly. Formats emphasize text-based prose over multimedia, with no regular podcasts or videos, prioritizing in-depth written analysis over broadcast-style delivery. Specialized subsections like and deliver targeted reporting on legislative proceedings and council-level conservative efforts, respectively.

Events, Campaigns, and Multimedia

ConservativeHome organizes an extensive programme of fringe events at the annual , featuring high-profile speakers and discussions. In 2025, the organization hosted events from October 5 to 7 in , utilizing a dedicated ConservativeHome within the conference zone, with sessions covering topics such as , reform, and party strategy. These events typically include over 18 sessions across three days, attracting Cabinet members and more than 70 speakers, as seen in prior years where programming exceeded 22 hours of debate and insight. Additional activities, such as a partnership with BPI in on October 6, 2025, complement the formal agenda to engage attendees. The platform has also facilitated key political hustings, including the first public event of the 2022 Conservative election on July 15, 2022, which featured candidates debating before party members. Such events underscore ConservativeHome's role in fostering direct interaction between activists, MPs, and contenders, often streamed or recorded for wider access. While not formal petitions, ConservativeHome supports campaigns through targeted commentary and event programming on issues like migration control and , aligning with its mission to influence Conservative priorities via analysis and mobilization. In multimedia, ConservativeHome maintains a YouTube channel hosting videos from conference fringes, leadership discussions, and policy panels, with content dating back to at least 2019 and including hybrid events from the 2022 Spring Conference in Blackpool. The organization produces podcasts, such as The Moggcast featuring Jacob Rees-Mogg and episodes on Tory leadership races, available via platforms like Apple Podcasts, alongside audio archives of debates and interviews. These formats, including weekly leadership updates since at least 2019, provide in-depth audio and video analysis, extending event content to non-attendees and amplifying conservative voices on current affairs.

Influence and Impact

Shaping Conservative Policy and Debate

ConservativeHome has exerted influence on Conservative Party policy primarily through its role as a conduit for opinion and debate, conducting regular surveys of party members that gauge sentiment on candidates and key issues. These polls, often published during leadership contests, provide insights into member preferences that can shape MP voting strategies and candidate positioning, as the final is decided by members. For instance, in the 2022 leadership election, a ConservativeHome survey showed leading by 32 percentage points among members, aligning with her eventual victory in the membership vote despite narrower MP support. Such data has positioned the site as a barometer of the party's activist base, prompting candidates to address perceived member concerns on topics like , taxation, and to secure endorsements and momentum. The platform fosters discussion via opinion pieces, editorials, and contributor analyses that challenge official lines and propose alternatives, often amplifying right-leaning critiques of centrist deviations. Founded in 2005 amid post-election reflection, ConservativeHome was explicitly launched to stimulate "a fresh about where the should be heading," independent of CCHQ but aligned with core Conservative values. Its coverage has historically pressured leaders on issues like NHS restructuring, where founder advocated blending with social compassion, influencing early Cameron-era thinking while critiquing perceived softness on welfare and . Recent contributions include series on adapting to and specific calls, such as prioritizing heritage in Red Wall constituencies or reforming housing to balance affordability with environmental safeguards, thereby injecting ideas into broader discourse. This influence extends to agenda-setting for internal party reform and campaigns, where ConservativeHome has proposed structural changes to avoid electoral repeats, such as enhancing member involvement in policy formulation. By hosting and multimedia that convene MPs, activists, and thinkers, it bridges elite and base perspectives, often highlighting tensions over net zero commitments or public spending—debates that have fed into policy commissions under leaders like . While not formally policymaking, its persistent focus on member-driven priorities has compelled party elites to recalibrate, as evidenced by leadership hopefuls engaging directly with the site to outline visions addressing its polled concerns.

Role in Grassroots and Party Dynamics

ConservativeHome functions as a key conduit for the Conservative Party's grassroots membership, conducting regular surveys that capture member opinions on leadership, policy, and internal reforms, thereby providing data that often shapes perceptions within the party. These polls, typically involving hundreds of self-identified party members, highlight divergences between parliamentary leadership and the wider membership base, influencing debates on issues such as Brexit implementation and fiscal policy. For example, a 2018 ConservativeHome survey following the Salzburg summit revealed that only one in ten party members supported Theresa May's Chequers proposal, underscoring grassroots frustration with the leadership's EU negotiating stance and amplifying calls for a harder Brexit approach. Similarly, in response to the March 2024 budget, a ConservativeHome poll found nearly two-thirds of members dissatisfied, with many describing the party as "burnt toast," which fueled internal criticism of economic direction under Rishi Sunak. In party elections, ConservativeHome's member surveys exert notable influence by previewing likely outcomes in the final ballot, where votes are decisive after MPs narrow the field to two candidates. During the 2022 contest, a ConservativeHome poll indicated leading by 32 percentage points among members, a margin that presaged Truss's victory in the membership vote despite Sunak's stronger parliamentary support. The site has hosted candidate debates, such as the July 2022 online event featuring the remaining contenders, further positioning it as a platform for engagement with potential leaders. More recently, an August 2024 survey identified as the most favored member among members, bolstering her position in the ongoing dynamics post-2024 defeat. The outlet's commentary often critiques perceived mismanagement of the by central party structures, advocating for reforms to enhance member involvement and reverse declining . A 2018 analysis by ConservativeHome cited fresh research on falling membership and volunteer engagement, attributing harm to inadequate party investment and disconnects, while proposing a new chairman and structural overhauls to rebuild ties. This role extends to advocacy, where grassroots surveys have pressured the on topics like rural planning reforms, with 56% of members opposing high-speed rail extensions in a 2011 poll, reflecting broader tensions between Westminster priorities and local activist concerns. By fostering "cyber " from the bottom up, ConservativeHome has historically catalyzed shifts in party direction, independent of official channels yet supportive of conservative principles.

Business Model and Ownership

Ownership and Financial Structure

ConservativeHome operates through Conservative Home Limited, a incorporated in England and Wales on 22 October 2009 with company number 07053162. The is at 21 Marina Court, Castle Street, Hull, . It functions as a within the Total Politics Group, a media entity focused on and . The outlet is majority-owned by , Baron Ashcroft, a businessman and former deputy , who acquired a 57.5% stake in 2009 by merging it with PoliticsHome into a new entity under his control. This ownership structure positions ConservativeHome as independent from the Conservative Party while aligned with its centre-right perspective, with Ashcroft retaining control through his Political Holdings Limited. Financially, Conservative Home Limited qualifies as a small under regulations, filing audit-exemption subsidiary accounts and abridged financial statements with , which limits public disclosure of detailed metrics like turnover or liabilities. Recent filings indicate a modest operation, with approximately 5 employees and cash reserves of £23,100 reported in the latest available statements. Directors include figures such as Mark Edwin Wallace, associated with Total Politics Group leadership changes as of 2020. This private structure supports operational sustainability without reliance on public markets or party funding.

Revenue Streams and Sustainability

ConservativeHome generates revenue primarily through digital , event sponsorships, and reader donations. Its advertising offerings include display ads, sponsored content, and targeted placements on the , which attract political organizations, businesses, and groups seeking to reach conservative audiences. Event sponsorships form another key stream, encompassing partnerships for conferences, webinars, and private gatherings that facilitate networking among Conservative Party members, policymakers, and influencers. According to statements from its , these advertising and event revenues constitute the bulk of income, enabling the site to maintain free access without a . Reader donations supplement these commercial sources, with ConservativeHome actively soliciting contributions via a dedicated secure portal to fund ongoing content production, events, and operational costs. Appeals emphasize sustaining "engaging events and daily, year-round coverage," reflecting a model reliant on voluntary support from ideologically aligned individuals. As part of the Total Politics Group, majority-owned by Lord Ashcroft, ConservativeHome benefits from shared resources and synergies with sister publications like Total Politics magazine, which diversifies group-level revenue through print subscriptions and additional events. Sustainability hinges on the interplay of these streams amid fluctuating political climates, where advertising demand correlates with election cycles and Conservative Party relevance. The absence of funding or endowments underscores a dependence on market-driven and donor-based inflows, with no public disclosure of detailed financial accounts or annual turnover figures. This structure has supported operations since its 2005 founding, including expansion into multimedia and international efforts, though vulnerability to reduced ad spend during opposition periods remains a noted challenge in similar political media models.

International Efforts

ConservativeHomeUSA and Global Reach

In November 2010, ConservativeHome launched ConservativeHomeUSA as a sister site to provide analysis and debate on American conservatism, modeled after the platform's emphasis on , party dynamics, and perspectives. The site was led by Ryan Streeter, a expert and former advisor in the administration, with contributions from , founder of the original ConservativeHome. It featured surveys of Republican opinion, commentary on GOP primaries—such as assessments of candidates like and —and discussions on domestic issues like entitlements reform. The American edition operated through 2012 at minimum, hosting panels and coverage, but appears to have discontinued thereafter, with no active presence or updates noted in subsequent years. Streeter continued contributing to the ConservativeHome on transatlantic topics, bridging conservative thought between the two nations. Beyond the venture, ConservativeHome's global reach manifests primarily through its online commentary on international conservative politics, attracting readers interested in cross-border policy parallels. The site regularly publishes articles on elections, such as Donald Trump's tariff policies and MAGA ideology, often drawing comparisons to conservatism. It also covers broader global issues, including foreign aid's role in migration and prevention, and critiques of international interventions like potential actions in . This content fosters a transatlantic and Anglosphere-oriented discourse, though without formal international editions or offices beyond the defunct site.

Reception, Achievements, and Criticisms

Positive Contributions and Recognized Influence

ConservativeHome has provided a dedicated platform for Conservative Party grassroots members since its founding in 2005, amplifying their perspectives on policy and in a manner that has been described as influential within circles. By hosting commentary from MPs, activists, and thinkers, it has fostered debate on issues such as party reform and electoral , often reflecting and guiding member sentiment more directly than official channels. This role earned recognition from outlets like the , which highlighted its editorial under as a key factor in internal party dynamics. The site's regular polls and surveys have exerted measurable influence on leadership perceptions, as evidenced by a 2024 analysis showing shifts in member support for candidates following coverage. In 2013, ConservativeHome's advocacy pressured the party to disclose membership figures, revealing a decline to approximately 149,000 under —data that spurred discussions on revitalizing engagement and was termed a "victory" for the outlet's transparency efforts. Such interventions have been credited with holding leadership accountable and informing strategies to reconnect with the base. Events organized by ConservativeHome, including rallies during conferences, have further enhanced its reach, drawing high-profile figures like in to engage directly with activists and bolster their morale amid internal contests. Its commentary has also intersected with broader media influence in races, positioning it alongside traditional outlets in shaping candidate viability among members. These contributions have solidified its reputation as a to Westminster-centric views, promoting a more member-driven .

Controversies and Critiques from Various Perspectives

ConservativeHome has faced accusations of right-center primarily through its selection of stories and stances that favor conservative policies and figures, though it maintains high factual reporting standards according to evaluators. Left-leaning outlets, such as Left Foot Forward, have highlighted this in coverage of founder Tim Montgomerie's December 4, 2024, defection from the Conservatives to , portraying ConservativeHome as a platform that exacerbates divisions by amplifying populist critiques, though such sources themselves exhibit systemic left-wing in their interpretive framing. From within the Conservative ecosystem, has targeted ConservativeHome's surveys on party leadership preferences, with a August 18, 2024, analysis questioning their predictive accuracy against actual ballot outcomes, attributing discrepancies to potential sampling biases favoring vocal respondents over broader membership. These polls, conducted via panels since at least , have influenced media narratives on contests like the 2024 leadership race won by , prompting debates on whether they overrepresent factional sentiments and contribute to internal instability without rigorous peer validation. Montgomerie's personal trajectory—resigning from the Conservative Party on February 18, 2016, over its EU stance, later advising , and finally joining after 33 years of affiliation—has fueled critiques that ConservativeHome under his influence prioritized ideological purity over party loyalty, alienating moderates and accelerating factionalism. Conservative leadership figures, including indirect rebukes from figures like on anonymous party critics, have implied platforms like ConservativeHome enable "cowardly" dissent that undermines unity, as evidenced in April 28, 2025, statements dismissing internal anonymous attacks. Broader leftist commentary, often from outlets with institutional biases against conservative media, accuses ConservativeHome of selective outrage, such as in , 2021, rebukes of Tim Montgomerie's criticisms of bias as ironic given the site's partisan output, though such claims overlook ConservativeHome's empirical focus on policy critiques over unsubstantiated narratives. Defenders within argue these critiques stem from discomfort with the site's role in voicing concerns, like the January 4, 2018, exposé on party mismanagement of membership data, which highlighted verifiable declines in engagement without fabricating evidence. No major ethical scandals, such as funding improprieties or fabricated reporting, have been substantiated against the outlet.

References

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