The Conservative party
Suffering from a third successive election defeat, the Tories are attempting to ascertain why they are unelectable, or at least aren't appealing to the electorate. A piece in the Guardian by Tim Yeo (a former Shadow Cabinet Minister) today seemed intriguing.
"Belief in individual liberty, the merits of the market and a firm line on defence and law and order, and in the need to keep the state small, should remain the bedrock of our approach."
Heh, I fail to see how a 'belief in indvidual liberty' has manifested itself in either current Tory policy or during the govenments of Thatcher or Major. The Conservatives, prior to last Thursday's election, wished to reclassify cannabis as a class B narcotic! I fail to see how such a move increases individual liberty.
It's natural that the Conservatives are 'soul-searching' after the 5th May election. Personally I would like to see a more libertarian Tory party. One that was committed to truly enhancing personal liberties. However I don't believe such a move is wholly likely. Since Duncan-Smith was leader, the Conservatives have attempted to place greater emphasis on the enhancement of public services. Since this is arguably the primary concern of the electorate, adhering to such policies seems logical (OK I don't believe in public services, but that's another argument for another day).
Suffering from a third successive election defeat, the Tories are attempting to ascertain why they are unelectable, or at least aren't appealing to the electorate. A piece in the Guardian by Tim Yeo (a former Shadow Cabinet Minister) today seemed intriguing.
"Belief in individual liberty, the merits of the market and a firm line on defence and law and order, and in the need to keep the state small, should remain the bedrock of our approach."
Heh, I fail to see how a 'belief in indvidual liberty' has manifested itself in either current Tory policy or during the govenments of Thatcher or Major. The Conservatives, prior to last Thursday's election, wished to reclassify cannabis as a class B narcotic! I fail to see how such a move increases individual liberty.
It's natural that the Conservatives are 'soul-searching' after the 5th May election. Personally I would like to see a more libertarian Tory party. One that was committed to truly enhancing personal liberties. However I don't believe such a move is wholly likely. Since Duncan-Smith was leader, the Conservatives have attempted to place greater emphasis on the enhancement of public services. Since this is arguably the primary concern of the electorate, adhering to such policies seems logical (OK I don't believe in public services, but that's another argument for another day).
posted by Christopher at 10.5.05
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