Activate, which aims to “engage young people with conservatism”, has close links with senior party activists, and is chaired by former Tory campaign manager Gary Markwell, a councillor in West Sussex. A Conservative spokesman said Activate was “not officially linked to the Conservatives and it receives no party funding”. The group’s constitution says it will be independent from the party, though all members are expected to be members of the main party. A Momentum source said the group was “flattered that Tory activists have been inspired” but that Activate had made “some rookie errors” in its early incarnation. “And if they are as committed to a ‘modern’ Conservative party as they say, maybe they shouldn’t have picked an all-male national committee.

Source: The Guardian August 29, 2017 13:45 UTC