Searching for common Conservatives

Many Conservatives can’t understand why Conservatism doesn’t have a wider appeal. At the first meeting of the Blue Collar Conservative group Esther McVey MP explained that the working class code was compatible with Conservative ideology. You live within your means. … Continue reading

Posted in Elections | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Creative politics: why big bold leaps are necessary

This whole Europe debate generally bores me senseless. I find it hard to get worked up about the substance of it but the way that all sides behave over it disappoints me. David Cameron has always known that a) Europe … Continue reading

Posted in Party Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

What really matters?

The front page story of the Telegraph on Saturday had an extraordinary snippet: Frank Luntz, an American polling expert, visited Downing Street and addressed a group of advisers. The friend said: “The pollster asked them what kept them awake at … Continue reading

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What the Queen’s Speech means for modernisers

The next two years are going to be tough for modernisers. The Queen’s Speech was another clear sign that many of the palpable achievements that stem from detoxification are likely to be hushed up rather than championed on the doorstep. … Continue reading

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Don’t offer UKIP a coalition, instead promote from within

Today there has been a number of calls by Conservative MPs and commentators for the Tories to form a deal with UKIP. This would take the form of an electoral pack, a formal coalition and offering kippers government positions. This is … Continue reading

Posted in General | 9 Comments