There are also fears from some grass roots Tory activists that they will have even less control over the choice of candidates they will be expected to devote hours of their spare time campaigning for.

BBC: Feature

Howard Dean and Wesley Clark both made some efforts to build up a network of grass-roots volunteers in Missouri, partially through the internet.

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There will be some movement on the national level, but Republican grass-roots organizers are very well aware that the message the GOP is selling statewide is a winning formula.

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And Robert Woollard, chairman of the Conservative Grass Roots organisation, suggested Mr Cameron needed to rein in some of his colleagues in No 10 who were "wet behind the ears" and "needed to get out more".

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Some will see that as a welcome way of involving the party's grass roots in the process earlier but others will complain they will not be making the final choice.

BBC: Feature