THE Conservative Party is on death row. Unless we reform our values, our membership offering and our party infrastructure, we face defeat at the next election - and potentially years of opposition.

If we don’t change it wouldn’t matter if we had Alexander the Great or the Archangel Gabriel as Leader. We face the wilderness.

5 Tory MP Rob Halfon says his party must change its message to appeal to working families Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Some might think that it is unbelievable that despite the efforts of Conservative MPs and volunteers and some individual wonderful results in places like Scotland, Mansfield and Walsall North, the greatest political party in the history of the Western World has come to this.

But, then consider: the Conservatives have not won a big Parliamentary majority since 1987.

I believe the reasons for this are clear.

5 Credit: Rex Features

We have to recognise our main opponents have a noble and powerful message - ‘for the many not the few’. When Labour canvassers knock on a door, the public understands that they stand for helping the underdog.

It is a moral message that attracts thousands of young - as well as old - and why would it not?

Some Conservatives think that Labour is now a Party of the far left activists. Whilst it is clear that some are, the vast majority are not. It is no surprise that those who have a passion for change join a party whose core message is transforming the lives of the poor.

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Nor is it astonishing that the Labour party have six hundred thousand members. Indeed, it is remarkable that they do not have even more. Such a huge Labour membership, alongside the support of Trade Unions, means they have a campaigning infrastructure that Conservatives can only dream of.

Our election campaign portrayed us as a party devoid of values. ‘Strong and stable’ is hardly a battle cry. I cannot remember a time in the campaign when the Conservatives attempted to explain what we are really about: the party of the ladder, of aspiration and of opportunity.

We let ourselves be perceived primarily as the party of ‘austerity’, failing entirely to campaign on our record of a strong economy or strong employment.

5 The party said virtually nothing about the NHS Credit: Getty Images

Virtually nothing was said on the NHS or schools or the caring professions that work within them. Instead we created fear amongst pensioners, and threatened to take away school meals, handing a gift to our opponents.

Is it any wonder that the Conservatives did not get a majority?

Historically the public are wary about giving the Conservatives a big majority because they fear we will revert to the stereotype of not being on the side of the ordinary working people, white van men and women.

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Much of what we said - and failed to say in the election - compounded that fear. Action to reshape the Party’s image and its heart is now vital.

We have to do a number of things:

We must have a proper narrative which speaks to a real emotional connection with the British people. Voters must be able to choose us because their hearts and their heads tell them to.

5 Schools weren't a key focus of the campaign Credit: Getty Images

Our Party has to change our name and our symbol. Whether it is The Workers Party or the Conservative Workers Party, the party has to explain on the tin just what it does.

Conservatives need to establish our Party’s own version of Momentum or Vote Leave to connect with, and unite behind us the many millions who instinctively share our values and campaign in a way that reflects modern Britain.

When people think of Conservatives they need to think of us as the party that stands for ALL workers and their families. Slogans will never achieve this. Action to reform will.

5 Labour's message of 'for the many, not the few' resonated with young voters Credit: Reuters

Effectively the Conservative Party should become a modern Trade Union for the British people. We should offer and campaign for a Workers Charter based around five pillars:

Workers’ skills and jobs - continuing to champion Apprenticeships, technical education and employment,

Workers’ Wages - supporting those in the public sector, but also celebrating our record on the National Living Wage and lower taxes for lower earners.

Workers’ Rights - dealing with exploitation, especially of self-employed workers, and the abuse of zero hours.

Workers Welfare - boosting and protecting the NHS.

Worker’s services - cutting fuel duty, and capping rip off energy bills.

When the Prime Minister first stood on the steps of Downing Street and talked about a Britain that works for everyone I thought she had nailed it. When we launched measures to help workers in the early stages of the election, I thought, perhaps, people might vote for us with their hearts as well as their heads.

Like Labour, we had a moral message. Then it all got lost. Now may be our last chance to rediscover the moral compass that points to real victory.