the Young Conservative national advisory committee attended Graham's memorial service in Belfast and, a month later, Pedley opened the 24th National YC Conference with a tribute to Graham and a one-minute silence. Student politics At Lancaster University, Pedley was an active member of the North West Area Federation of Conservative Students which was controlled by the moderate faction. Pedley was part of the successful Conservative attempt to break the Socialist Workers Party and International Marxist Group control of Lancaster University Students' Union, and was elected as a non-sabbatical vice-president with other Conservatives. Parliamentary candidate In 1983, Pedley was adopted as prospective parliamentary candidate for the Halton constituency in Cheshire, a new constituency based on Widnes and Runcorn. In the election, he came second to the sitting Labour MP, Gordon Oakes. During the election campaign, Pedley was supported by the Defence Minister, Michael Heseltine. Pedley visited the Burtonwood peace camp and using a tannoy, challenged CND to stand in the election. "You say this is the nuclear election… well here's your chance. But you won't stand will you? Why, because you know the Conservatives will win the General election." Pedley forged a friendship with the SDP candidate Rick Tilling and they agreed an electoral pact in the following year's council elections to avoid splitting the anti-Labour vote. National Conservative Party positions Pedley served on a number of Party committees: Party's National Executive (NUEC) from 1979 to 1987 Standing Advisory Committee on Parliamentary Candidates Standing Advisory Committee on Party Policy (chaired by Sir Keith Joseph) Conservative Party representative on the all-party Joint Committee Against Racism, co-chaired by Eric Pickles and Joan Lestor. Wirral Council In 1986, Pedley was elected to the Wirral Council as the Conservative member for the Hoylake and West Kirby Ward. He was appointed environmental spokesman and served on the Education and Leisure Committees. Pedley supported the retention of grammar schools in the Wirral. Tory Reform Group Pedley succeeded Sue Woodroof as chairman of the Tory Reform Group and concentrated on organisational matters. Social Market Foundation As a committee member and then chairman of the Tory Reform Group, Pedley promoted links with the new Social Market Foundation, run by former Social Democrat Party members, Danny Finkelstein and Rick Nye. Pedley was a regular visitor to the SMF and a series of pamphlets and joint seminars were held between TRG and the SMF. Pedley and Finkelstein attended a Konrad Adenauer