Getting Selected CCHQ PAB Criteria for wannabe candidates
Becoming a Member of Parliament is not for the faint of heart. It takes grit, determination, and a certain level of skill and bloody-mindedness and resilience to navigate the treacherous waters of politics. And that’s before you even become an MP! Before you can even think about running for office for a particular constituency, you’ll need to pass the Parliamentary Assessment Board or PAB for short.
In contrast to the Labour Party, the Conservative Party has a list of approved candidates, and to get on that, you have to pass the PAB.
The PAB is a no-nonsense, 6-7 hour hybrid two-day event that puts wannabe Conservative MPs through their paces. It’s not for the faint of heart, and it’s not a walk in the park – many people fail this. Some because they deserve to fail, and some because they don’t understand what the party is looking for. The Conservative Party takes this selection process seriously and for a good reason. They want to ensure that only the best and brightest make it through to the final round. Who can disagree with that?
The PAB has evolved over the years, but the goal has remained the same: to identify the skills and attributes that make a competent MP. In the old days, the PAB used to be a 2-day event with an overnight stay. This format was perfect for weeding out the wannabes who couldn’t hold their drink… or control their behaviour. But times have changed, and the PAB is now a gruelling hybrid affair held over two days with some in between. The first part is online; the second part is in person.
The PAB is a minefield for the unprepared. Even experienced campaigners have failed the PAB or received lower passes than they expected, much to their dismay. Some have blamed their failure on positive discrimination, but the reality is that the criteria are clear and fair. Failing candidates merely failed to demonstrate that they possessed the criteria. Or they were spiked.
What needs to be demonstrated in your PAB (Parliamentary Assessment Board)?
I have set out the new and old criteria for wannabe parliamentary candidates. The two lists are very similar, and you have pretty much a whole day (update: this is now split into two days) to show that you possess them.
The old PAB criteria to be evidenced were:
- Intellectual skill
- Campaigning
- Conviction
- Communication
- Relating to people
- Resilience and Drive
- Leadership and Motivation
These PAB criteria were fiddled with and changed and evolved over time and had new iterations with each new leadership regime.
New Parliamentary Assessment Board/PAB criteria
Apparently, the new* PAB criteria that must be evidenced are:
- Energy and Commitment: Candidates need to demonstrate their enthusiasm and dedication to the cause of conservatism, showcasing their eagerness to work hard and see things through.
- Campaign leadership and motivation: Being a successful candidate requires strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire and motivate others to work towards a shared goal.
- Conviction: Candidates need to have a clear and unwavering belief in the conservative values and policies they will be representing and be able to articulate them convincingly.
- Manner and attitude: It’s essential for candidates to display a professional and positive attitude, with a respectful and courteous manner that inspires confidence in voters and colleagues alike.
- Depth and Intellect: A successful Conservative MP needs to have a deep understanding of the complex issues facing the country and the intelligence to develop sound policies and solutions.
- Communication and ability to relate to people: Effective communication is key to any political campaign, and candidates must be able to connect with people from all walks of life, demonstrating empathy and understanding.
- Commitment to inclusion and diversity: The Conservative Party has made a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity, and candidates need to demonstrate their understanding of this and their willingness to promote it in their campaigns.
And if you need a little help along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out. As a political consultant with years of experience in helping candidates get selected and elected, I know what it takes to succeed in this game. Over 175 of my clients have become MPs, hundreds more have become councillors, and others have become Police and Crime Commissioners.
My Getting Selected and Getting Elected courses are designed to help you prepare for the PAB and beyond.
But be warned; these courses are only open to those who can prove that they have what it takes to make it through the selection process. So if you’re up for the challenge, give me a call. The clock is ticking, and the stakes are high.
UPDATE! The Criteria have changed again.
More about them and how to prepare for the PAB in my courses. Shhhhh…. The Party doesn’t like people to prepare for the PAB. They have a party to manage. You want to change things, and you’re in a hurry.