Time the Conservatives Honoured Their Name

The humiliation of the Conservative Party at the recent general election provides the opportunity for a fundamental refresh of what the party stands for, and the purpose of its existence.

The most important element of any political party is its membership. This is the soul of the party; holders of the core values from which the party should draw: strength, ideas, manpower, candidates, eyes on the ground and ambassadors in the community. The Conservative Party membership is in a sad state of dereliction as it has been ignored by the centre. Used and abused at election time, but otherwise belittled and often ridiculed by members of the Parliamentary Party who regard them as a nuisance when they say anything that is not adulatory.

Many political parties have a doctrine by which they live, Labour has its socialism, the Communists, communism etc. For Conservatives the idea of a governing doctrine is rather unconservative, however, we do have an outlook on life that unites most of us. Being a ‘broad church’ there are some Conservatives who would agree with me on for example allowing a tolerance of smoking that other Conservatives would strongly disagree with. However, I think we can by and large unite around the following:

• Freedom of expression in print, thought and speech.
• Freedom to spend our money as we see fit – taxpayers spend their money considerably more wisely than the state!
• Freedom from state interference.
• The state is there to serve not to be served.
• Build on what works, evolution rather than revolution, apply the lessons of history.
• An aversion to complexity.
• Trusting people to do the right thing.
• Aspiration is to be encouraged.
• The state should only do what can’t be done any other way.
• Policy should be properly thought through.
• Low taxation.
• Look to the long term.
• Work should pay.
• Strong families make a strong country.
• An expectation of integrity from all public servants.
• The will of Parliament is supreme.
• An expectation of competence in government.

To me, the above tenets should come naturally to a Conservative, they are borne out of traditional Anglicanism. An independence of spirit, coupled with a confident humility and an aspiration to do better.

If our last Government had held to the above, they would not have suffered so badly and would not be in the crisis they now find themselves in.

We hear from members and ex-members of the Parliamentary Party the mantra that the Conservative Party is the most successful political party for the last 200 years. So what?!   That is no justification for its continued existence for one second longer. It, like every organisation, has to serve a purpose to have the right to exist, and like all political parties there is a balance between the supporters in the country and the Parliamentary Party. Those in Parliament have forgotten that they are there as representatives of the electorate; acting instead as if they were the representatives of Parliament to their constituencies. We also hear great store being put in uniting the party behind the leader. This is correct in a way, but only works if the policies are thought through and rational, and assuming the leader provides proper leadership. We are told by some grandees that the party lost because of infighting and disagreement over policy. But consider that much of the policy was dictated from the top and the rest of the Parliamentary Party were expected simply to nod it through. This is not good leadership. It was also ill-advised to call an election without first ensuring the party machine was ready, and that the Cabinet had agreed what the election was to be fought on.

Prime Ministers being projected as presidential figures is wrong in our system. The media may love it, but it leads to a false narrative that one person calls all the shots. Whilst there is an element of truth to that, the Prime Minister is in reality the Chairman of the board, and executive power should reside with the Cabinet. The party also is bigger than any one individual, and it is very undesirable to let an almost cult-like aura build around the leader.   We see it with Farage and Reform UK, where without Farage there would be little left. In Scotland we had it with Ruth Davidson, to the extent that Conservative canvassers went out with hi-vis tops saying “working for Ruth Davidson”, without any mention of the Conservative Party. When she stood down, they were left floundering. It was an easy thing to do to capitalise on her popularity but it helped no one in the long term. We have to see far more of a team effort, giving shadow ministers and then ministers ownership of agreed policies.

Across the country we have to see far more interaction between those elected to all sorts of positions in the party, and the wider community. For too long those in positions of authority have got away with only talking to people like themselves, and being almost afraid to interact with the wider community. I remember in the run up to the EU referendum; it was the public meetings held all over the country by Leave that seemed to really energise the campaign. In the same way, as Leave did, we need to see the Conservatives building coalitions with all sections of the community and learning from the feedback that comes from it.

The party is where it is because it allowed itself to forget its purpose. There is much to do in order to restore it sufficiently that it may properly articulate solutions to the problems afflicting our country. What is certain is that whoever is chosen to lead the party must be someone who is sure of their own conservatism, and can articulate a vision and stick to it.   We have had too many leaders over the last thirty years who have swivelled like weathervanes, basing most decisions on simple political expediency. The present situation is an opportunity to hack back the accumulated dead wood of the last thirty years, refocus and come out of the process more resilient and secure in fighting the battles ahead.

Alastair MacMillan runs White House Products Ltd, a manufacturer, distributor and exporter of hydraulic components to over 100 countries. He is a supporter of the Jobs Foundation.

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