We now have a new leader, Nick Clegg. For the last couple of weeks, Lib Dem Voice has been inviting party members to tell us what you think should be his top priorities. Four have so far taken up the challenge: Paul Walter, Linda Jack, David Morton and Mary Reid. Today it’s Mark Valladares’ turn…

So far, the suggestions that have come forward have been focused on what Nick needs to do with regard to the wider world. Don’t think for one moment that this bureaucrat dissents from much of what has been said thus far, but it is only half of the story.

To win elections, you don’t just need a message, you need a machine. Unfortunately, whilst our campaigning machinery continues to work its miracles with little to work with but enthusiasm and the occasional Riso, the internal workings of the rest of the Party have left a lot to be desired.

My suggestions?

1. Set up a credible review group to examine the structure of the Party. Fill it with people who have experience of running and managing something else (anything else!). Put a heavy hitter in charge of it, someone who has respect across the Party. Most of the internal committees of the Party consist of people elected by other committees to represent that particular sectional interest. A broader view? That’s for the naïve or foolhardy. The interests of the Party? That’s fine, as long as X is protected.

2. Take some time to find out what really happens behind the scenes. Federal Executive isn’t the place to find out, so talk to a few Regional and Local Party Officers, perhaps the odd Returning Officer or assessor. Meet the leadership of one or two SAOs and see if you can work out where they fit in. You’ll make, and keep, some valuable friends along the way and gain some loyalty too. Paddy never gave the impression that he cared much, Charles certainly didn’t and, whilst Ming talked a good game, whenever he had to actually do something, he tended to blunder through a seemingly total lack of comprehension. He isn’t alone amongst the Parliamentary Party in the Commons, let me assure you.

3. Recognise that being an elected representative is not the early way in which the Party can be served. Social events, PPERA returns, member newsletters, they don’t just happen. Someone makes these things happen, and they aren’t always a councillor, nor do they want to be, they just want to help. By all means encourage and nurture a more diverse parliamentary Party, but if you really want to crack the diversity problem, you want more female and/or BME candidate assessors and Returning Officers, more female and/or BME local and regional party officers. Oh yes, and more female and/or BME conference delegates.

4. Encourage training and development. There is some great work being done by SAOs, and by Regional Parties, but we need to do more. Some Local Parties are chaotically structured, even some with MPs, and they are less effective for it.

5. Finally, good administration costs. If it is any consolation, bad administration costs more. Invest in things like Membership Services, and the rewards will reveal themselves soon enough in all sorts of ways. Resource work properly and you don’t need to firefight, a sure way to run into the sand and drain the enthusiasm of anyone who comes into contact with a ramshackle bureaucracy.

One thing, don’t try to do all of this yourself. It is enough that people know that you support it, although the occasion goodwill visit to your colonial administrators wouldn’t go amiss…

* Mark Valladares is the outgoing Secretary of London Liberal Democrats. Whilst he is currently a bureaucrat, those treating him claim that a full recovery is possible…