Tory Conference: Why the YCs deserted the ball

This morning I woke up with one of the most devastating hangovers of my life. Unfortunately, not even new Labour can provide a cure for drunken excess.

The reason for this was the annual Young Conservative conference ball. This event, even though enjoyable is to an extent stuck in an era long past. Maybe this is even being recognised by the YCs themselves, with it becoming increasingly difficult to bring in young members. With an age base from 15 to 35, it is difficult to interest and entertain everybody.

Still, they had a good try at the ball, though at times the choice of music was a little unusual. Traditionally, the event ends with a rousing chorus of "Land of Hope and Glory," followed by an emotional "God Save the Queen." This year, "Land of Hope and Glory" was pushed from its regular slot in order to be replaced by "Always look on the bright side of life."

The Conservative youth seemed to be enjoying themselves, though, and even when the DJ decided to play Labour's theme tune, "Things Can Only Get Better," no one batted an eyelid. They just carried on dancing.

Other things had changed as well. In the past, this event used to draw crowds of five or six hundred people. This week there were a handful of diehard hacks trying to network despite the fact that there was no one there to network with. Efforts had been made to bring in new people. For the first time, black tie had become optional but few people had taken this up. The event was thinly populated by about 120 young men in dinner jackets, accompanied by about 30 women. By the end of the evening the organisers were waiving the pounds 10 entrance fee for any passing females who they could entice into the hall.

The problem is that most young people these days do not really want to go to events like this. Discos and dinner jackets do not go together. At least the leaflets advertising this year's bash did not bear the usual picture of a man and woman waltzing in evening dress. But the decision to replace this with something that looked like a Burton's catalogue from the 1970s - a man with swept-back hair - seemed a bit odd. It is clear we have a problem recruiting young people, but our main opposition is not Labour or the Liberal Democrats. It is nightclubs, pubs and cinemas. We need to offer a more vibrant alternative to draw people in. They may join now to have fun, but many will stay to take part in the building of the party later.