This is the great Conservative tragedy: the world changes, like it or not. Just as the Britain of fifty and a hundred years ago was very different to today, so the Britain of fifty and a hundred years time will be different.
The inevitability of change leaves Conservatives stranded and this is why they are always to be found warning that our society is going to the dogs. It also explains their impotence. For example, despite socially conservative governments dominating the twentieth century, great strides forward continued to be made with women's, ethnic minority and gay rights.
Things are the way they are for a host of reasons, and those reasons are often subtle and difficult to explain succinctly. Any politician who claims otherwise hasn't got a grip on things, and their actions are likely to be irresponsible.
Given this, incremental change is often the best approach. Revolutions almost always fail in the end.
(I'm sure this quote will come back one day to haunt me...)
It is something we are taught in University as well that the ideology of Conservatism means that we are opposed to change.
However, the members and the MPs when voting for the last three elected leaders; Hague, Duncan Smith and Cameron were seen as the change makers, we could have gone with Portillo, Clarke or David, seen more as traditional Tory stalwarts. Yet the membership has always voted for change, and it is finally working!
Against change for changes sake?
ReplyDeleteStart all politics with reality not ideology or fantasy?
Excessive conservatism = decline
ReplyDeleteLook at the example of China towards the end of Qing dynasty.
Isn't conservative also a name for jam in jars?
ReplyDeleteThis is the great Conservative tragedy: the world changes, like it or not. Just as the Britain of fifty and a hundred years ago was very different to today, so the Britain of fifty and a hundred years time will be different.
ReplyDeleteThe inevitability of change leaves Conservatives stranded and this is why they are always to be found warning that our society is going to the dogs. It also explains their impotence. For example, despite socially conservative governments dominating the twentieth century, great strides forward continued to be made with women's, ethnic minority and gay rights.
James, You can have jam on it too!
ReplyDeleteThings are the way they are for a host of reasons, and those reasons are often subtle and difficult to explain succinctly. Any politician who claims otherwise hasn't got a grip on things, and their actions are likely to be irresponsible.
ReplyDeleteGiven this, incremental change is often the best approach. Revolutions almost always fail in the end.
(I'm sure this quote will come back one day to haunt me...)
I am a bit broke Mr PT. Do you think you could fix it for your old mate President Imadinnerjacket to kidnap me?
ReplyDeleteIt is something we are taught in University as well that the ideology of Conservatism means that we are opposed to change.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the members and the MPs when voting for the last three elected leaders; Hague, Duncan Smith and Cameron were seen as the change makers, we could have gone with Portillo, Clarke or David, seen more as traditional Tory stalwarts. Yet the membership has always voted for change, and it is finally working!