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{{reorganize|date=March 2024}}
{{Short description|Conservative party headquarters}}
{{Short description|Conservative party headquarters}}
{{Redirect-distinguish|CCHQ|GCHQ}}
{{Redirect-distinguish|CCHQ|GCHQ}}
{{coord|51.5003|N|0.1328|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}
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{{Infobox organization
{{Infobox organization
| name = Conservative Campaign Headquarters
| name = Conservative Campaign Headquarters
| named_after =
| named_after =
| image = 4, Matthew Parker Street, St James - geograph.org.uk - 2510868.jpg
| image = 4, Matthew Parker Street, St James - geograph.org.uk - 2510868.jpg
| image_size =
| image_size =
| alt =
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| logo =
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| map =
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| map_size =
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| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| map_caption =
| map2 =
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| map2_size =
| map2_alt =
| map2_alt =
| map2_caption =
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| abbreviation =
| abbreviation =
| motto =
| motto =
| predecessor = Conservative Central Office
| predecessor = Conservative Central Office
| merged =
| merged =
| successor =
| successor =
| formation = 1871 C&UCO (2014 CCHQ)
| formation = 1871 C&UCO <br>2014 CCHQ
| founder =
| founder =
| founding_location =
| founding_location =
| extinction = <!-- use {{end date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| extinction = <!-- use {{end date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| merger =
| merger =
| type =
| type =
| status =
| status =
| purpose =
| purpose =
| headquarters =
| headquarters =
| location = 4 Matthew Parker Street, London SW1H 9HQ
| location = 4 Matthew Parker Street, Westminster, London SW1H 9HQ
| coords = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|display=inline, title}} -->
| coords = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|display=inline, title}} -->
| region = [[United Kingdom]]
| region = [[United Kingdom]]
| services =
| services =
| products =
| products =
| methods =
| methods =
| fields =
| fields =
| membership =
| membership =
| membership_year = o
| membership_year =
| language =
| language =
| owner = <!-- or | owners = -->
| owner = <!-- or | owners = -->
| sec_gen =
| sec_gen =
| leader_title = [[Conservative Party chairman|Chairman]]
| leader_title = [[Conservative Party chairman|Chairman]]
| leader_name = {{plainlist|
| leader_name = [[Nigel Huddleston]], [[Dominic Johnson, Baron Johnson of Lainston|Dominic Johnson]]
| leader_title2 = Deputy Chair
*[[Ben Elliot]]}}
| leader_title2 = Deputy Chair
| leader_name2 = {{plainlist|
*[[Jack Lopresti]], [[Nickie Aiken]], [[Luke Hall (politician)|Luke Hall]] and [[Matt Vickers]]}}
| leader_name2 = {{plainlist|
| board_of_directors =
*[[Justin Tomlinson]]}}
| board_of_directors =
| main_organ =
| parent_organisation = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]
| main_organ =
| subsidiaries =
| parent_organisation = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]
| subsidiaries =
| secessions =
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| affiliations =
| affiliations =
| budget =
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| website = [https://www.conservatives.com/ conservatives.com]
| website = [https://www.conservatives.com/ conservatives.com]
| remarks =
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| formerly =
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| footnotes =
}}{{Conservatism UK}}
| footnotes =
The '''Conservative Campaign Headquarters''' ('''CCHQ'''), formerly known as '''Conservative Central Office''' ('''CCO'''), is the [[headquarters]] of the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], housing its central staff and committee members, including campaign coordinators and managers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.conservatives.com/work-for-us|title=Work for Us|website=www.conservatives.com}}</ref> It is based in [[London]], as are the [[Labour Party Headquarters (UK)|Labour Party Headquarters]] and [[Liberal Democrat Headquarters (UK)|Liberal Democrat Headquarters]].
}}
The '''Conservative Campaign Headquarters''' ('''CCHQ'''), formerly known as '''Conservative Central Office''' ('''CCO'''), is the [[headquarters]] of the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], housing its central staff and committee members, including campaign coordinators and managers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.conservatives.com/work-for-us|title=Work for Us|website=www.conservatives.com}}</ref> As of September 2022 [[Jake Berry]] is the [[Chairman of the Conservative Party]].


==Campaigning==
==Campaigning==
CCHQ is responsible for all campaigning of the Conservative Party, though it delegates responsibility for local campaigns to constituency Conservative Associations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.conservatives.com/Members/Party-Structure-and-Organisation|title=Party Structure and Organisation|access-date=2018-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005230159/https://www.conservatives.com/Members/Party-Structure-and-Organisation|archive-date=2016-10-05|url-status=dead}}</ref> It maintains overall responsibility for targeting voters and seats, including shortlisting and finalising the selection of Conservative candidates across the United Kingdom for local and national elections.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-politics/10141802/How-to-become-a-Tory-MP.html|title=Right Honourable Girlfriend: How to become a Tory MP|first=Jessica Lee|last=MP|date=26 June 2013|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref>
CCHQ is responsible for all campaigning of the Conservative Party, though it delegates responsibility for local campaigns to constituency Conservative Associations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.conservatives.com/Members/Party-Structure-and-Organisation|title=Party Structure and Organisation|access-date=2018-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005230159/https://www.conservatives.com/Members/Party-Structure-and-Organisation|archive-date=2016-10-05|url-status=dead}}</ref> It maintains overall responsibility for targeting voters and seats, including shortlisting and finalising the selection of Conservative candidates across the United Kingdom for local and national elections.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-politics/10141802/How-to-become-a-Tory-MP.html|title=Right Honourable Girlfriend: How to become a Tory MP|first=Jessica Lee|last=MP|date=26 June 2013|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> It is presided by the [[Chairman of the Conservative Party]] with assistance from the Conservative Director of Communications.


Following the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]] in which the Conservative Party did not do as well as had been expected, CCHQ was described as “rusty” and less effective than it had been during previous elections in coordinating and managing its campaign.<ref name="conservativehome.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.conservativehome.com/majority_conservatism/2017/09/our-cchq-election-audit-the-rusty-machine-part-two-how-and-why-the-ground-campaign-failed.html|title=Our CCHQ election audit: the rusty machine, part two. How and why the ground campaign failed.|website=Conservative Home|access-date=2018-01-01|archive-date=2018-01-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104114012/https://www.conservativehome.com/majority_conservatism/2017/09/our-cchq-election-audit-the-rusty-machine-part-two-how-and-why-the-ground-campaign-failed.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
CCHQ is used as a phone bank for volunteers, and is most active at [[general election]]s and some [[by-elections]].<ref name="conservatives.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.conservatives.com/calling|title=I'm making calls to secure the strong and stable leadership we need to see us through Brexit and beyond. Join me|access-date=2018-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102073000/https://www.conservatives.com/calling|archive-date=2018-01-02|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.conservatives.com/copelandcchq|title=By-election Calling|website=www.conservatives.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.conservatives.com/byelectionlocal|title=By-election Calling|website=www.conservatives.com}}</ref> The CCHQ Voter Communications Team also coordinates and manages data from local Conservative call centres.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-41728710|title=Watchdog warns Tories over call centre|work=BBC News|date=23 October 2017}}</ref>


The CCHQ Activist Centre, which is the section of CCHQ that provides guidance to local Conservative Associations and candidates, was closed down following the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]], with resources now being distributed directly by staff rather than passively through the online database to external Conservative staff.<ref name="conservatives.com1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.conservatives.com/Activistcentre|title=Activist Centre|access-date=2018-01-01|archive-date=2018-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102073002/https://www.conservatives.com/Activistcentre|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Following the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]] in which the Conservative Party did not do as well as had been expected, CCHQ was described as “rusty” and less effective as it had been during previous elections in coordinating and managing its campaign.<ref name="conservativehome.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.conservativehome.com/majority_conservatism/2017/09/our-cchq-election-audit-the-rusty-machine-part-two-how-and-why-the-ground-campaign-failed.html|title=Our CCHQ election audit: the rusty machine, part two. How and why the ground campaign failed.|website=Conservative Home}}</ref>


===Phone bank===
The call centre in [[Neath]] was the subject of scrutiny by [[Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)|The Electoral Commission]] following an investigation by ''[[The Guardian]]'' over alleged breach of marketing rules at a phone bank at Neath in Wales, which had employed paid staff to do its calling instead of volunteers and is alleged to have bribed some staff for underhand calling tactics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/25/police-confirm-inquiry-into-tory-election-call-centre-use|title=Police confirm inquiry into Tory election call centre use|last=Morris|first=Steven|date=25 August 2017|website=the Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/oct/24/tories-rebuked-over-call-centres-actions-in-general-election|title=Tories rebuked over breach of marketing rules in general election|first=Rowena|last=Mason|date=23 October 2017|website=the Guardian}}</ref> Subsequent allegations have also been reported about the conduct of other Conservative staff.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/16/conservatives-fined-70000-mp-reported-police-following-investigation/|title=Conservatives fined £70,000 and MP reported to the police following an investigation into election campaign expenses|first=Laura|last=Hughes|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=16 March 2017|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref>
CCHQ is used as a phone bank for volunteers, and is most active at [[general election]]s and some [[By-election|by-elections]].<ref name="conservatives.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.conservatives.com/calling|title=I'm making calls to secure the strong and stable leadership we need to see us through Brexit and beyond. Join me|access-date=2018-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102073000/https://www.conservatives.com/calling|archive-date=2018-01-02|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.conservatives.com/copelandcchq|title=By-election Calling|website=www.conservatives.com|access-date=2018-01-01|archive-date=2018-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102073155/https://www.conservatives.com/copelandcchq|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.conservatives.com/byelectionlocal|title=By-election Calling|website=www.conservatives.com|access-date=2018-01-01|archive-date=2018-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102072932/https://www.conservatives.com/byelectionlocal|url-status=dead}}</ref> The CCHQ Voter Communications Team also coordinates and manages data from local Conservative call centres.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-41728710|title=Watchdog warns Tories over call centre|work=BBC News|date=23 October 2017}}</ref>


The call centre at [[Neath]] in Wales was the subject of scrutiny by [[Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)|The Electoral Commission]] following an investigation by ''[[The Guardian]]'' over alleged breach of marketing rules. It had employed paid staff to do its calling instead of volunteers and is alleged to have bribed some staff for underhand calling tactics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/25/police-confirm-inquiry-into-tory-election-call-centre-use|title=Police confirm inquiry into Tory election call centre use|last=Morris|first=Steven|date=25 August 2017|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/oct/24/tories-rebuked-over-call-centres-actions-in-general-election|title=Tories rebuked over breach of marketing rules in general election|first=Rowena|last=Mason|date=23 October 2017|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> Subsequent allegations have also been reported about the conduct of other Conservative staff.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/16/conservatives-fined-70000-mp-reported-police-following-investigation/|title=Conservatives fined £70,000 and MP reported to the police following an investigation into election campaign expenses|first=Laura|last=Hughes|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=16 March 2017}}</ref>
The CCHQ phone bank, uses the Conservative Party's online calling database, ‘’Votesource’’.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://votesource.uk| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150314202222/http://votesource.uk/| archive-date = 2015-03-14| title = Web Site Blocked}} </ref> This database was created in-house, but has not always functioned efficiently.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.conservativehome.com/tag/votesource|title=VoteSource|website=Conservative Home}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.conservatives.com/calling|title=I'm making calls to secure the strong and stable leadership we need to see us through Brexit and beyond. Join me|access-date=2018-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102073000/https://www.conservatives.com/calling|archive-date=2018-01-02|url-status=dead}}</ref>


The CCHQ phone bank uses the Conservative Party's online calling database, ‘’Votesource’’.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://votesource.uk| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150314202222/http://votesource.uk/| archive-date = 2015-03-14| title = Web Site Blocked}} </ref> This database was created in-house, but has not always functioned efficiently.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.conservativehome.com/tag/votesource|title=VoteSource|website=Conservative Home}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.conservatives.com/calling|title=I'm making calls to secure the strong and stable leadership we need to see us through Brexit and beyond. Join me|access-date=2018-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102073000/https://www.conservatives.com/calling|archive-date=2018-01-02|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The CCHQ Activist Centre which is the section of CCHQ which provides guidance to local Conservative Associations and candidates was closed down following the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]], with resources now being distributed directly by staff rather than passively through the online database to external Conservative staff.<ref name="conservatives.com1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.conservatives.com/Activistcentre|title=Activist Centre}}</ref>

CCHQ is presided over by the [[Chairman of the Conservative Party]] with assistance from the Conservative Director of Communications.


==Location==
==Location==
=== 1912–1958: Abbey House ===
Until 1958 CCO was based at Abbey House, [[Victoria Street, London]], then moving to No. 32 [[Smith Square]]. This was the scene of many televised historic moments in Conservative history from [[Margaret Thatcher]]'s victory rallies to [[Iain Duncan Smith]]'s resignation. CCO moved in 2004 to nearby 25 Victoria Street for more high-tech facilities and subsequently became known as Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ).
Until 1958, Conservative Central Office was based at Abbey House, [[Victoria, London|Victoria Street, London]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}


=== 1958–2004: 32 Smith Square ===
On 6 March 2007, CCHQ moved again, this time to [[Millbank Tower|30 Millbank]], part of the property portfolio of [[David and Simon Reuben]]. On 10 February 2014, CCHQ moved to its current location at 4 Matthew Parker Street. They rent the ground and basement floors of the commercial property.
[[File:32 Smith Square, Westminster (geograph 4520887).jpg|thumb|32 Smith Square, now Europe House, used between 1958 and 2004]]
CCO then moved to 32 [[Smith Square]]. This was the scene of multiple televised historic moments and symbolic photographs, including for the election victories of [[Margaret Thatcher]] and [[John Major]], though later began to be associated with party infighting.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stamp |first=Gavin |date=2012-07-30 |title=Postcode lottery? How EU entered historic Conservative address |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-19046445 |access-date=2024-01-24 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=2004-07-22 |title=Conservatives depart historic HQ |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3916085.stm |access-date=2024-01-24 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tempest |first=Matthew |date=2003-11-11 |title=Tories set to sell off Smith Square HQ |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/nov/11/conservatives.uk1 |access-date=2024-01-24 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In the 1980s, the Conservatives signed a lease for the property with a rent of {{Currency|1|GBP}} per year, which made the buildng unable to be developed into luxury flats or offices.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Hencke |first=David |last2=correspondent |first2=Westminster |date=2007-02-09 |title=Tories make £15m profit from sale of old Smith Square HQ |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2007/feb/09/uk.conservatives |access-date=2024-01-24 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

The party initially announced it would sell the premises in 2003,<ref name=":1" /> though in 2004 decided to keep its lease with plans to redevelop the building.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2004-04-21 |title=Tories set date for changing HQ |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3647037.stm |access-date=2024-01-24 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> The party agreed to move to "new, more suitable premises as soon as possible", with then Shadow Home Secretary [[David Davis (British politician)|David Davis]] stating it had "got old and we need to find rather more purpose-built accommodation for modern use".<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2003-11-11 |title=Conservatives to sell London HQ |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3260953.stm |access-date=2024-01-24 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> The premises and their adjoining building were eventually sold in February 2007, raising {{Currency|15 million|GBP|passthrough=yes}}.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":3" /> The [[European Commission]] and [[European Parliament]] jointly bought the house in 2010, renaming it Europe House,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Boffey |first=Daniel |date=2018-05-03 |title=EU defies Tory Brexiters in leaked plan to retain Westminster offices |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/03/eu-plans-to-retain-westminster-offices-former-tory-hq |access-date=2024-01-24 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and it has since acted as the [[delegation of the European Union to the United Kingdom]]. In 2017, Conservative MPs and [[Brexiteer|Brexiteers]] such as [[Jacob Rees-Mogg]] and [[Conor Burns]] called for the house to be returned to the party,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Dallison |first=Paul |date=2017-02-27 |title=Tories call for EU to return Thatcher’s old HQ as part of Brexit deal |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/tories-call-for-eu-to-return-thatchers-old-hq-as-part-of-brexit-deal/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=[[Politico]] |language=en}}</ref> though a leaked memo from [[Klaus Welle]] suggested that Europe House would likely be kept by the EU.<ref name=":0" />

=== 2004–2007: 25 Victoria Street ===
Party co-chairman [[Liam Fox]] announced in April 2004 that the CCO would move to 25 Victoria Street following the [[2004 United Kingdom local elections]] in June for "modern, purpose-built accommodation and a superb working environment for staff to campaign and win forthcoming elections at a local, national and European levels." The move was initially planned to take place before the elections, but negotiations on the lease took longer than expected.<ref name=":2" /> The offices were notably positioned above a [[Starbucks]] coffee shop,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2004-02-11 |title=Better latte than never for Tories? |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3478753.stm |access-date=2024-01-24 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> and reportedly included a "war room" for the upcoming 2005 [[2005 United Kingdom general election|general election]].<ref name=":4" /> The building subsequently became known as Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ).{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

=== 2007–2014: Millbank Tower ===
On 6 March 2007, CCHQ moved again, this time to [[Millbank Tower|30 Millbank]], part of the property portfolio of [[David and Simon Reuben]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

=== 2014–present: 4 Matthew Parker Street ===
On 10 February 2014, CCHQ moved to its current location at 4 Matthew Parker Street. They rent the ground and basement floors of the commercial property.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}


==Establishment==
==Establishment==
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==Incidents and controversies==
==Incidents and controversies==
On 10 November 2010, 30 Millbank was attacked by student protesters as part of a [[2010 student protest in London|demonstration against rises in tuition fees]].
On 10 November 2010, 30 Millbank was attacked by student protesters as part of a [[2010 United Kingdom student protests|demonstration against rises in tuition fees]].


On 19 November 2014, demonstrators taking part in a free education demonstration in central London clashed with police outside 4 Matthew Parker Street, where the Conservative Campaign Headquarters relocated in February 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last=Morris |first=Nigel |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/students-attempt-to-storm-tory-party-hq-thwarted-by-riot-police-9871394.html |title=Students attempt to storm Tory party HQ but are thwarted by riot police |work=[[The Independent]] |date=2014-11-19 |access-date=2020-08-25}}</ref>
On 19 November 2014, demonstrators taking part in a free education demonstration in central London clashed with police outside 4 Matthew Parker Street, where the Conservative Campaign Headquarters relocated in February 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last=Morris |first=Nigel |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/students-attempt-to-storm-tory-party-hq-thwarted-by-riot-police-9871394.html |title=Students attempt to storm Tory party HQ but are thwarted by riot police |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |date=2014-11-19 |access-date=2020-08-25}}</ref>


In June 2017, following the [[2017 United Kingdom general election]], CCHQ was blamed for the worse-than-expected result, with a number of new appointments, such as new Conservative Director of Communications, [[Carrie Symonds]]. Ms. Symonds claimed that there was "lots to do" in her new role.<ref name="conservativehome.com" /><ref>{{cite tweet |last=Symonds |first=Carrie |author-link=Carrie Symonds |user=carriesymonds |number=883607457133727745 |date=8 July 2017 |title=Very pleased to be joining CCHQ as Director of Comms. Lots to do. Can't wait to get started.|access-date= }}</ref>
In June 2017, following the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]], CCHQ was blamed for the worse-than-expected result, with a number of new appointments, such as new Conservative Director of Communications, [[Carrie Johnson|Carrie Symonds]]. Ms. Symonds claimed that there was "lots to do" in her new role.<ref name="conservativehome.com" /><ref>{{cite tweet |last=Symonds |first=Carrie |author-link=Carrie Symonds |user=carriesymonds |number=883607457133727745 |date=8 July 2017 |title=Very pleased to be joining CCHQ as Director of Comms. Lots to do. Can't wait to get started.|access-date= }}</ref>


==="factcheckUK"===
==="factcheckUK"===
On 19 November 2019, for the duration of a televised leadership debate between the leader [[Boris Johnson]] and his [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] counterpart [[Jeremy Corbyn]], hosted by [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] in the run up to the [[2019 United Kingdom general election]], the CCHQ press office's Twitter page (@CCHQPress) was renamed to 'factcheckUK' – it did not change the Twitter handle to maintain the account's [[Account verification|verified status]], to post Conservative rebuttals to Labour's statements about them during the debate.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/19/tories-tweet-anti-labour-posts-under-factcheckuk-brand|title=Tories pretend to be factchecking service during leaders' debate|last=Waterson|first=Jim|date=2019-11-19|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=2019-11-19|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/20/twitter-accuses-tories-of-misleading-public-in-factcheck-row |title=Twitter accuses Tories of misleading public with 'factcheck' foray |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=20 November 2019 |access-date=20 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="FT-19NOV20-factcheckUK" /><ref name="TimeUSA-19NOV20-factcheckUK" /><ref name="BBCNews-19NOV19-factcheckUK" /><ref name="SkyNews-19NOV20-factcheckUK" />
On 19 November 2019, for the duration of a televised leadership debate between the leader [[Boris Johnson]] and his [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] counterpart [[Jeremy Corbyn]], hosted by [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] in the run up to the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]], the CCHQ press office's Twitter page (@CCHQPress) was renamed 'factcheckUK' – it did not change the Twitter handle to maintain the account's [[Account verification|verified status]], to post Conservative rebuttals to Labour's statements about them during the debate.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/19/tories-tweet-anti-labour-posts-under-factcheckuk-brand|title=Tories pretend to be factchecking service during leaders' debate|last=Waterson|first=Jim|date=2019-11-19|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=2019-11-19|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/20/twitter-accuses-tories-of-misleading-public-in-factcheck-row |title=Twitter accuses Tories of misleading public with 'factcheck' foray |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=20 November 2019 |access-date=20 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="FT-19NOV20-factcheckUK" /><ref name="TimeUSA-19NOV20-factcheckUK" /><ref name="BBCNews-19NOV19-factcheckUK" /><ref name="SkyNews-19NOV20-factcheckUK" />


Conservative Party chairman [[James Cleverly]] defended it, stating "The Twitter handle of the CCHQ press office remained CCHQPress, so it's clear the nature of the site", and as "calling out when the Labour Party put what they know to be complete fabrications in the public domain".<ref name="BBCNews-19NOV19-factcheckUK" />
Conservative Party chairman [[James Cleverly]] defended it, stating "The Twitter handle of the CCHQ press office remained CCHQPress, so it's clear the nature of the site", and as "calling out when the Labour Party put what they know to be complete fabrications in the public domain".<ref name="BBCNews-19NOV19-factcheckUK" />


In response, the [[Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)|Electional Commission]], which does not have a role in regulating election campaign content, called on all campaigners to act "responsibly",<ref name="SkyNews-19NOV20-factcheckUK" /><ref name="TimeUSA-19NOV20-factcheckUK" /><ref name="SocialEC" /> fact-checking body [[Full Fact]] criticised this behaviour as "inappropriate and misleading", and a spokesperson from Twitter said that "Any further attempts to mislead people by editing verified profile information - in a manner seen during the UK Election Debate - will result in decisive corrective action."<ref name="FT-19NOV20-factcheckUK" /><ref name="TimeUSA-19NOV20-factcheckUK" /><ref name="BBCNews-19NOV19-factcheckUK" /><ref name="SkyNews-19NOV20-factcheckUK" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/tory-press-office-twitter-rebrands-as-fact-checking-account-amid-huge-backlash-a4291281.html|title=Outrage as Tory press office Twitter rebrands as fact check account|date=2019-11-19|work=[[Evening Standard]]|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref><ref name="BI-19NOV20-factcheckUK" />
In response, the [[Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)|Electoral Commission]], which does not have a role in regulating election campaign content, called on all campaigners to act "responsibly",<ref name="SkyNews-19NOV20-factcheckUK" /><ref name="TimeUSA-19NOV20-factcheckUK" /><ref name="SocialEC" /> fact-checking body [[Full Fact]] criticised this behaviour as "inappropriate and misleading", and a spokesperson from Twitter said that "Any further attempts to mislead people by editing verified profile information in a manner seen during the UK Election Debate will result in decisive corrective action."<ref name="FT-19NOV20-factcheckUK" /><ref name="TimeUSA-19NOV20-factcheckUK" /><ref name="BBCNews-19NOV19-factcheckUK" /><ref name="SkyNews-19NOV20-factcheckUK" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/tory-press-office-twitter-rebrands-as-fact-checking-account-amid-huge-backlash-a4291281.html|title=Outrage as Tory press office Twitter rebrands as fact check account|date=2019-11-19|newspaper=[[Evening Standard]]|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref><ref name="BI-19NOV20-factcheckUK" />

===="Tax Check UK"====
On 26 June 2024, the CCHQPress profile was renamed "Tax Check UK" during a leadership debate between [[Rishi Sunak]] and [[Keir Starmer]] hosted by ITV as part of the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]] campaign.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2024-06-26/tories-accused-of-misleading-voters-by-rebranding-x-account-tax-check-uk|title=Tories accused of 'misleading' voters by rebranding X account 'Tax Check UK'|last=Hockaday|first=James|date=2024-06-26|work=ITV News|access-date=2024-07-04|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{UK Conservative Party}}
{{UK Conservative Party}}


[[Category:Headquarters of political parties in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Organisation of the Conservative Party (UK)|Central Office]]
[[Category:Organisation of the Conservative Party (UK)|Central Office]]
[[Category:Headquarters of political parties]]
[[Category:1870 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1870 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Headquarters in the United Kingdom]]

Latest revision as of 10:23, 22 December 2024

51°30′01″N 0°07′58″W / 51.5003°N 0.1328°W / 51.5003; -0.1328

Conservative Campaign Headquarters
PredecessorConservative Central Office
Formation1871 C&UCO
2014 CCHQ
Location
  • 4 Matthew Parker Street, Westminster, London SW1H 9HQ
Region
United Kingdom
Nigel Huddleston, Dominic Johnson
Deputy Chair
Parent organisation
Conservative Party
Websiteconservatives.com

The Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ), formerly known as Conservative Central Office (CCO), is the headquarters of the British Conservative Party, housing its central staff and committee members, including campaign coordinators and managers.[1] It is based in London, as are the Labour Party Headquarters and Liberal Democrat Headquarters.

Campaigning

[edit]

CCHQ is responsible for all campaigning of the Conservative Party, though it delegates responsibility for local campaigns to constituency Conservative Associations.[2] It maintains overall responsibility for targeting voters and seats, including shortlisting and finalising the selection of Conservative candidates across the United Kingdom for local and national elections.[3] It is presided by the Chairman of the Conservative Party with assistance from the Conservative Director of Communications.

Following the 2017 general election in which the Conservative Party did not do as well as had been expected, CCHQ was described as “rusty” and less effective than it had been during previous elections in coordinating and managing its campaign.[4]

The CCHQ Activist Centre, which is the section of CCHQ that provides guidance to local Conservative Associations and candidates, was closed down following the 2017 general election, with resources now being distributed directly by staff rather than passively through the online database to external Conservative staff.[5]

Phone bank

[edit]

CCHQ is used as a phone bank for volunteers, and is most active at general elections and some by-elections.[6][7][8] The CCHQ Voter Communications Team also coordinates and manages data from local Conservative call centres.[9]

The call centre at Neath in Wales was the subject of scrutiny by The Electoral Commission following an investigation by The Guardian over alleged breach of marketing rules. It had employed paid staff to do its calling instead of volunteers and is alleged to have bribed some staff for underhand calling tactics.[10][11] Subsequent allegations have also been reported about the conduct of other Conservative staff.[12]

The CCHQ phone bank uses the Conservative Party's online calling database, ‘’Votesource’’.[13] This database was created in-house, but has not always functioned efficiently.[14][15]

Location

[edit]

1912–1958: Abbey House

[edit]

Until 1958, Conservative Central Office was based at Abbey House, Victoria Street, London.[citation needed]

1958–2004: 32 Smith Square

[edit]
32 Smith Square, now Europe House, used between 1958 and 2004

CCO then moved to 32 Smith Square. This was the scene of multiple televised historic moments and symbolic photographs, including for the election victories of Margaret Thatcher and John Major, though later began to be associated with party infighting.[16][17][18] In the 1980s, the Conservatives signed a lease for the property with a rent of £1 per year, which made the buildng unable to be developed into luxury flats or offices.[19]

The party initially announced it would sell the premises in 2003,[20] though in 2004 decided to keep its lease with plans to redevelop the building.[21] The party agreed to move to "new, more suitable premises as soon as possible", with then Shadow Home Secretary David Davis stating it had "got old and we need to find rather more purpose-built accommodation for modern use".[20] The premises and their adjoining building were eventually sold in February 2007, raising £15 million.[19][22] The European Commission and European Parliament jointly bought the house in 2010, renaming it Europe House,[23] and it has since acted as the delegation of the European Union to the United Kingdom. In 2017, Conservative MPs and Brexiteers such as Jacob Rees-Mogg and Conor Burns called for the house to be returned to the party,[22] though a leaked memo from Klaus Welle suggested that Europe House would likely be kept by the EU.[23]

2004–2007: 25 Victoria Street

[edit]

Party co-chairman Liam Fox announced in April 2004 that the CCO would move to 25 Victoria Street following the 2004 United Kingdom local elections in June for "modern, purpose-built accommodation and a superb working environment for staff to campaign and win forthcoming elections at a local, national and European levels." The move was initially planned to take place before the elections, but negotiations on the lease took longer than expected.[21] The offices were notably positioned above a Starbucks coffee shop,[24] and reportedly included a "war room" for the upcoming 2005 general election.[17] The building subsequently became known as Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ).[citation needed]

2007–2014: Millbank Tower

[edit]

On 6 March 2007, CCHQ moved again, this time to 30 Millbank, part of the property portfolio of David and Simon Reuben.[citation needed]

2014–present: 4 Matthew Parker Street

[edit]

On 10 February 2014, CCHQ moved to its current location at 4 Matthew Parker Street. They rent the ground and basement floors of the commercial property.[citation needed]

Establishment

[edit]

The establishment of Conservative Central Office dates back to 1871, with the creation of professional support for the Party by Sir John Gorst. Following election defeats in 1906 and 1910, in 1911 the post of Party Chairman was created to oversee the work of the Central Office.

Incidents and controversies

[edit]

On 10 November 2010, 30 Millbank was attacked by student protesters as part of a demonstration against rises in tuition fees.

On 19 November 2014, demonstrators taking part in a free education demonstration in central London clashed with police outside 4 Matthew Parker Street, where the Conservative Campaign Headquarters relocated in February 2014.[25]

In June 2017, following the 2017 general election, CCHQ was blamed for the worse-than-expected result, with a number of new appointments, such as new Conservative Director of Communications, Carrie Symonds. Ms. Symonds claimed that there was "lots to do" in her new role.[4][26]

"factcheckUK"

[edit]

On 19 November 2019, for the duration of a televised leadership debate between the leader Boris Johnson and his Labour counterpart Jeremy Corbyn, hosted by ITV in the run up to the 2019 general election, the CCHQ press office's Twitter page (@CCHQPress) was renamed 'factcheckUK' – it did not change the Twitter handle to maintain the account's verified status, to post Conservative rebuttals to Labour's statements about them during the debate.[27][28][29][30][31][32]

Conservative Party chairman James Cleverly defended it, stating "The Twitter handle of the CCHQ press office remained CCHQPress, so it's clear the nature of the site", and as "calling out when the Labour Party put what they know to be complete fabrications in the public domain".[31]

In response, the Electoral Commission, which does not have a role in regulating election campaign content, called on all campaigners to act "responsibly",[32][30][33] fact-checking body Full Fact criticised this behaviour as "inappropriate and misleading", and a spokesperson from Twitter said that "Any further attempts to mislead people by editing verified profile information – in a manner seen during the UK Election Debate – will result in decisive corrective action."[29][30][31][32][34][35]

"Tax Check UK"

[edit]

On 26 June 2024, the CCHQPress profile was renamed "Tax Check UK" during a leadership debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer hosted by ITV as part of the 2024 general election campaign.[36]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Work for Us". www.conservatives.com.
  2. ^ "Party Structure and Organisation". Archived from the original on 2016-10-05. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  3. ^ MP, Jessica Lee (26 June 2013). "Right Honourable Girlfriend: How to become a Tory MP". The Daily Telegraph.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Our CCHQ election audit: the rusty machine, part two. How and why the ground campaign failed". Conservative Home. Archived from the original on 2018-01-04. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  5. ^ "Activist Centre". Archived from the original on 2018-01-02. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  6. ^ "I'm making calls to secure the strong and stable leadership we need to see us through Brexit and beyond. Join me". Archived from the original on 2018-01-02. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  7. ^ "By-election Calling". www.conservatives.com. Archived from the original on 2018-01-02. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  8. ^ "By-election Calling". www.conservatives.com. Archived from the original on 2018-01-02. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  9. ^ "Watchdog warns Tories over call centre". BBC News. 23 October 2017.
  10. ^ Morris, Steven (25 August 2017). "Police confirm inquiry into Tory election call centre use". The Guardian.
  11. ^ Mason, Rowena (23 October 2017). "Tories rebuked over breach of marketing rules in general election". The Guardian.
  12. ^ Hughes, Laura (16 March 2017). "Conservatives fined £70,000 and MP reported to the police following an investigation into election campaign expenses". The Daily Telegraph.
  13. ^ "Web Site Blocked". Archived from the original on 2015-03-14.
  14. ^ "VoteSource". Conservative Home.
  15. ^ "I'm making calls to secure the strong and stable leadership we need to see us through Brexit and beyond. Join me". Archived from the original on 2018-01-02. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  16. ^ Stamp, Gavin (2012-07-30). "Postcode lottery? How EU entered historic Conservative address". BBC News. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b "Conservatives depart historic HQ". BBC News. 2004-07-22. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  18. ^ Tempest, Matthew (2003-11-11). "Tories set to sell off Smith Square HQ". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b Hencke, David; correspondent, Westminster (2007-02-09). "Tories make £15m profit from sale of old Smith Square HQ". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-01-24. {{cite news}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b "Conservatives to sell London HQ". BBC News. 2003-11-11. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b "Tories set date for changing HQ". BBC News. 2004-04-21. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b Dallison, Paul (2017-02-27). "Tories call for EU to return Thatcher's old HQ as part of Brexit deal". Politico. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b Boffey, Daniel (2018-05-03). "EU defies Tory Brexiters in leaked plan to retain Westminster offices". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  24. ^ "Better latte than never for Tories?". BBC News. 2004-02-11. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  25. ^ Morris, Nigel (2014-11-19). "Students attempt to storm Tory party HQ but are thwarted by riot police". The Independent. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  26. ^ Symonds, Carrie [@carriesymonds] (8 July 2017). "Very pleased to be joining CCHQ as Director of Comms. Lots to do. Can't wait to get started" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  27. ^ Waterson, Jim (2019-11-19). "Tories pretend to be factchecking service during leaders' debate". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
  28. ^ "Twitter accuses Tories of misleading public with 'factcheck' foray". The Guardian. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  29. ^ Jump up to: a b Barker, Alex; Murphy, Hannah (20 November 2019). "Conservative party's 'factcheckUK' Twitter stunt backfires". Financial Times. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  30. ^ Jump up to: a b c Perrigo, Billy (20 November 2019). "Boris Johnson's Conservatives Rebranded a Party Twitter Account as 'factcheckUK.' Twitter Wasn't Happy". Time. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b c Lee, Dave (19 November 2019). "Election debate: Conservatives criticised for renaming Twitter profile 'factcheckUK'". BBC News. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  32. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Tories under fire for 'misleading' public with Twitter 'Fact Check' name change". Sky News. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  33. ^ "Statement on @CCHQPress Twitter rebrand" (Press release). The Electoral Commission. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  34. ^ "Outrage as Tory press office Twitter rebrands as fact check account". Evening Standard. 2019-11-19. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
  35. ^ "Twitter threatens 'corrective action' against Boris Johnson's Conservatives party after it created a fake fact-checking service". Business Insider. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  36. ^ Hockaday, James (2024-06-26). "Tories accused of 'misleading' voters by rebranding X account 'Tax Check UK'". ITV News. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
[edit]