Hannah Parker
Chairman of Conservative Future

"I have to admit I use the CCF quite selfishly; to help learn about being a Christian in politics, to gain advice from those that have experience and discuss those issues that we all find difficult."
- Hannah Parker is Chairman of Conservative Future - the Conservative Party's youth wing.

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If I could use one word to describe my political story - I think it would be 'accidental'. I had always had my views but never dreamed of actually going into politics.

I helped out a couple of friends in the local Association during election times but was not even a member of the Party. Early in 1998 I finally parted with £10 and joined Hammersmith and Fulham Conservative Association. Within a few weeks I was asked to set up a local branch of Conservative Future (CF) and became an Association officer, however I did not really see myself as very political. The reason I'm a Conservative is because I believe in personal responsibility, personal freedom and minimal government interference so that there's an environment where all people have the opportunity to achieve and we help those who cannot help themselves.

In 2000 I was a very reluctant candidate in the CF National Elections, I was working full time, studying part-time and an officer at Hammersmith and Fulham and feeling a little over-stretched, but I was talked into it. I made it on to the team and then began to see the potential of this fledgling organisation. At the same time I started going to a Church that actually believed in teaching its congregation, whilst I had had strong faith for some time I had not really been thinking about my actions in a very Christian way. I felt that God wanted me to follow a path into Politics but I began to question Am I doing the right thing? and Where do my politics meet my faith? A friend suggested that I try to contact other Christians within the Party, before long I contacted CCF who were incredible welcoming.

Since then I have been elected Chairman of CF. I have to admit I use the CCF quite selfishly; to help learn about being a Christian in politics, to gain advice from those that have experience and discuss those issues that we all find difficult. I still do not have the answers to all my questions but I do have more courage to follow the path wherever it may lead.

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