New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Politics
  2. The Staggers
5 February 2019

The Conservatives are looking to hire office space to prepare for an early election

The Tory party has made an urgent request to a central London firm with close ties to the party.

By Stephen Bush

The Conservative Party has made urgent inquiries for office space in central London locations as that party seeks to free up space at the party’s headquarters. 

The extra office space, which will be used to host administrative staff, is the latest in a series of measures the party has taken to prepare for an unexpected election.

Although the terms of the Fixed Term Parliaments Act mean that there is no election due until 2022, the uncertainty over Brexit could yet lead to an early contest. In the snap election of 2017, the Conservative Party was the least well prepared for an early contest of the major parties, who all made significant preparations.

Brandon Lewis, the Conservative Party’s chair, has made it his priority to avoid being caught on the hop and has also increased the “resting” staff count – the number of people working for the party between elections – to better equip the party for future contests.

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Content from our partners
The Circular Economy: Green growth, jobs and resilience
Water security: is it a government priority?
Defend, deter, protect: the critical capabilities we rely on