Peter Hitchens goes further than me, well, he goes further than most people, but in this instance I cannot fault his thinking. Where-as I am looking forward to bidding farewell to 'Dave 'n' George', either this year or in 2015 when they lose the next election, Hitchens goes further in yesterday's Mail and insists that we should say our goodbyes to the entire Conservative party for this very compelling reason:
You have to say one thing for the Prime Minister. His strategy of driving away the Tory Party’s traditional supporters is a roaring success.
The other bit of the plan, in which thousands of Guardian readers and Labour voters would flock to Mr Slippery’s rainbow banner, hasn’t quite worked out. It never will.
The Tories are now (in my view rightly) loathed and despised by people from all political viewpoints and all walks of life.
Well, can't argue with any of that! But he continues in a mood I can only describe as vengeful gotterdamerung:
Even if you’re still deluded enough to believe that a Tory government would be any use to you, nothing that you do will change the outcome of the next Election. It’ll either be a Labour administration or a Lib-Lab one, which is the same thing.
This is your chance to sweep away a party whose time has gone, which long ago ceased to be what it claimed to be, which despises its own supporters, which has now added failure to fraud and treachery as its chief characteristics.
Don’t work or vote for it. If you feel for some odd reason that voting is a duty, vote for UKIP. Britain’s Left-wing elite truly fear the destruction of the Tory Party that
would follow a thumping defeat of the kind it deserves.
They rightly see its existence as a barrier to the birth of a truly pro-British party, one that could sweep New Labour, the Liberal Democrats and all their works into the sea.
I think what he is asking is - what is the Tory party for? And if it fails to defend and to propogate those principles dearly beloved by people of a conservative disposition, then his conclusion is that it might as well be consigned to the dustbin of history and an entirely new party formed from the ashes of the old.
Hmmmn! I will now try and think of some argument - any argument - to justify the continued existence of the (non)-Conservative Party.
Well, give me a chance, it's not easy . . . !
All UKIP needs to is to become THE Engish party.
Posted by: Backofanenvelope | Monday, 04 March 2013 at 13:27
If I might extend the question - in the circumstances what is the use of ANY political party? The Tories have a tradition of 'lets find an even bigger bastard' to kick some life into the 'party'. Usual technique is some kind of back stabbing. But I don't think a 'bigger bastard' will do any good, it is as if the UK and other western juggernauts have fallen apart en route. Kicking it will do no good, a competent spanners person seems more appropriate. Even a competent repair crew will need to fix up all the bodges, patches and neglect of years and this will take a while. Probably the repaired juggernauts will not look much like the old ones anyway.
That leaves Millibean and UKIP. Millibean will try a quick respray and some tyre paint. As for UKIP, well would you hand your juggernaut over to folk who don't even know what a spanner (or yield-curve) is?
So, IMHO we need a major clear-out of parliament and downsize it. Hard wooden benches and no heating. Rename the government "Repair Crew" with a Chief Mechanic in charge, a bloody great wrecking truck (aka Bank) and a competent crew. Soft-handed ponces whose can only polish green leather and lunch with lobbyists are no use - unless they have 10 years+ business experience and a 2.1 or better degree (any degree). The rest, take a chainsaw to them. Good try Hitchens but not radical enough.
Posted by: rogerh | Monday, 04 March 2013 at 14:28
Gentlemen, in your usual witty style you both touch upon some rather profound matters which I will ponder upon and perhaps raise in a separate post.
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 04 March 2013 at 17:46
Perhaps, with Roger's rant in mind, you need to write a piece on persuading turkeys to vote for Christmas!
Posted by: backofanenvelope | Tuesday, 05 March 2013 at 08:08
Sorry about the rant. After a lie down in a darkened room I remembered that since Cicero and before politics has always been a grubby and unsatisfactory business.
I suppose we can expect no better from a parliament that evolved from monarchy - delusions of grandeur etc. Interestingly the Americans started from a more businesslike basis - but look how that has evolved. The fault lies in our human natures I reckon.
Posted by: rogerh | Tuesday, 05 March 2013 at 16:03