“This is a really exciting chance for professionals and the public to be heard” said Julia Manning, the new Think tank’s Director. “Having worked for 16 years in the NHS and often closely with social services, I am well aware about how disillusioned professionals have become. We’ve also witnessed the demise of Community Health Councils which gave the public an effective voice. 2020health.org is starting the fight-back, using the easy access of the internet to re-engage the public and workforce. We will be able to present their grass-roots experience and ideas to the policy makers in the Conservative Party. People delivering care are the ones who know what works, and I believe that Conservative policies should be developed from the bottom-up.”

Julia was joined by Shadow Health Team member Stephen O’Brien MP and Andrew Lansley MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health. “This is a really important venture which has the full endorsement of the health team,” said Stephen. “As ideas are suggested to us we will have a raft of experienced people able to contribute to their development. 2020health.org will be a really important tool for rebuilding trust, as we look to future”.

Tim Montgomerie, pioneer of using the internet to reclaim democratic involvement through Conservativehome.com was also invited to speak. “The many are wiser than the few – this is what the internet revolution is all about!” he exclaimed, “taking the power away from the few in the centre and distributing it out amongst the masses”.

Nearly 50 people registered on the site at the event. Do please continue to pass on our details to your friends and colleagues so we can turn our aspirations into reality!