What does it mean to be a Conservative in today's UK? Does the Conservative Party represent those views?
It seems to me that the Conservative Party is becoming ever more divorced from its principles and supporters as it seems to see being in power as its raison d'etre rather than delivering traditional Conservative policies and rolling back the frontiers of the state.
Taxes
As we run up to the budget, all the talk is about the 50% tax rate or a mansion tax. Tax cuts? No thanks we will just give with one hand and take with the other. When exactly did it become Conservative policy that taxes are to be levied as a right by government and then spent how government sees fit?
Pensions
Part of the budget discussions point to removing tax relief on higher level pension contributions. So, we tax people highly and then if the individual can afford to put money away for their retirement (probably because the individual sees that the current model is unsustainable) we penalize them.
The nettle of means-testing benefits isn't being grasped. It used to be the case that 'means test' was a shaming phrase. That was in the days when taxpayer-funded and government-donated support was low, as was welfare dependency. Now Conservatives can introduce the means testing of benefits and avoid the usual opprobrium. Winter Fuel allowance and Free Bus passes - means test them. People contributed to their pensions via NI Contributions. Fair enough! These additional benefits should be to relieve hardship not bolster income. But don't expect the Conservative leadership to introduce means-testing.
Defence
We find ourselves embroiled in Afghanistan supporting a corrupt regime that doesn't seem to show any gratitude for us being there (though they are happy to take our aid!) and on a mission that was essentially completed almost ten years ago. The mission, lest we forget was to get rid of the Taliban government (Done) and chase Al Qaeda from Afghanistan (Done). So why are we there spending money on the defence of that country while endangering our Service personnel and having inadequate funds for the defence of our own people?
Europe
In opposition, many were led to believe we would see a more robust defence of the UK's interests in Europe. Action would be taken on the European Court for Human Rights. Bold words have been found to come from a 'paper tiger'. The UK continues to appear (and indeed act) powerless in front of the EU machine. Only by the grace of Labour keeping us out of the Euro, are we not now being controlled by technocrats appointed by Germany.
Local Authorities
The Conservatives do not run all - Those they do, should immediately cease all funding of so called 'pilgrims' - Union employees that are paid for by the local tax payers to do union work instead of the work for which they were employed. The same applies to all of those 'pilgrims' in the central government sector. The cost runs into tens of millions of pounds. How can this be allowed, by Conservatives?
Marriage
I have written earlier, on this blog, about changing the status of marriage, so that it includes the civil union between homosexuals. However, in spite of promises made, prior to the 2010 election, to recognize marriage in the tax code, nothing has happened. So the party that promotes itself as being for the family continues to penalize married couples over cohabiting couples. This in spite of all evidence confirming that children raised within a 'normal' married family achieve better at school, commit less crime etc., etc..
Union
The Conservatives are the party of the UNion. Yet they are allowing the Scottish Nationalist Party to make all the running as regards the question of Scottish Independence. This when they both know that a referendum for such independence is one that can only be legal if it is sanctioned and carried out under the auspices of the UK government. The defence of the Union is feeble and the lies and half-truths and economic claptrap that emanates from Holyrood is left unchallenged. One supposed upshot of Scottish independence is said to be that Labour will lose a very significant part of it's Westminster presence. That is something to be wished for but only if the Conservatives then follow Conservative policies.
Energy and The Environment
The Conservatives have continued with the economic and environmental madness espoused by Labour and also their Lib-Dem Coalition partners and the European Green fanatics. They continue with a policy to meet a threat - Global Warming - which real science - as opposed to the fakers and falsifying scientists - know is simply untrue. More and more we are hearing of scientists exposing the lies (they don't do half-truths!) put out by the Climate Change fanatics. However, the Conservatives continue with these flawed 'green' policies. They enforce Wind power on communities, subsidize it to the hilt (from rampantly increasing energy bills) and totally ignore the fact that it is inefficient (at absolute very best each turbine can generate a maximum of 30% of its stated capacity!) and above all else, has to be backed-up with other generating capacity (the wind doesn't blow all the time!)
Welfare Reform
At the first sign of opposition, from the Socialist Workers Party, this Conservative led Coalition, caves in and changes the rules on what was, in reality, never as draconian a policy as it was said to be (the SWP are not known for letting facts get in the way of an anti-capitalist rant). The so called Welfare Cap is still way, way too high. How can it incentivize people to get a job when the job they can get is paying less than the cap? East Europeans will take these lower paying jobs because in their own country, they have no cap and no real safety net - so no work = no life of relative luxury on the dole!
Summary
The only area where this supposedly Conservative-led Coalition is following Conservative policies is in Education. Here they are freeing schools from the bindings of out-dated and Left-wing controlled PC lobbies.
Elsewhere, I see a Conservative Government whose sole question, since 2010 seems to be 'How can we get re-elected in 2015? All policies and actions lead to that goal. The Conservatives have to be about more than just that!!
And, Conservatives don't really have a choice.
Conservative businessmen? - Continuing to drown in 'Red Tape' and ever higher tax demands. Conservative private sector employees?- Higher taxes, energy bills, less service and an ever bleaker economic future (whether or not we come under the boot of the German led Europeans)
Please don't suggest UKIP - they are a one-trick pony. The BNP likewise and their policies are strongly socialist once you get beyond their abhorrent views on immigration.
Someone please tell me that at some point, the Conservative Party will start to act in a manner, and follow policies, that make their supporters grateful that they voted for them. I don't want to have to wait until 2016!
It seems to me that the Conservative Party is becoming ever more divorced from its principles and supporters as it seems to see being in power as its raison d'etre rather than delivering traditional Conservative policies and rolling back the frontiers of the state.
Taxes
As we run up to the budget, all the talk is about the 50% tax rate or a mansion tax. Tax cuts? No thanks we will just give with one hand and take with the other. When exactly did it become Conservative policy that taxes are to be levied as a right by government and then spent how government sees fit?
Pensions
Part of the budget discussions point to removing tax relief on higher level pension contributions. So, we tax people highly and then if the individual can afford to put money away for their retirement (probably because the individual sees that the current model is unsustainable) we penalize them.
The nettle of means-testing benefits isn't being grasped. It used to be the case that 'means test' was a shaming phrase. That was in the days when taxpayer-funded and government-donated support was low, as was welfare dependency. Now Conservatives can introduce the means testing of benefits and avoid the usual opprobrium. Winter Fuel allowance and Free Bus passes - means test them. People contributed to their pensions via NI Contributions. Fair enough! These additional benefits should be to relieve hardship not bolster income. But don't expect the Conservative leadership to introduce means-testing.
Defence
We find ourselves embroiled in Afghanistan supporting a corrupt regime that doesn't seem to show any gratitude for us being there (though they are happy to take our aid!) and on a mission that was essentially completed almost ten years ago. The mission, lest we forget was to get rid of the Taliban government (Done) and chase Al Qaeda from Afghanistan (Done). So why are we there spending money on the defence of that country while endangering our Service personnel and having inadequate funds for the defence of our own people?
Europe
In opposition, many were led to believe we would see a more robust defence of the UK's interests in Europe. Action would be taken on the European Court for Human Rights. Bold words have been found to come from a 'paper tiger'. The UK continues to appear (and indeed act) powerless in front of the EU machine. Only by the grace of Labour keeping us out of the Euro, are we not now being controlled by technocrats appointed by Germany.
Local Authorities
The Conservatives do not run all - Those they do, should immediately cease all funding of so called 'pilgrims' - Union employees that are paid for by the local tax payers to do union work instead of the work for which they were employed. The same applies to all of those 'pilgrims' in the central government sector. The cost runs into tens of millions of pounds. How can this be allowed, by Conservatives?
Marriage
I have written earlier, on this blog, about changing the status of marriage, so that it includes the civil union between homosexuals. However, in spite of promises made, prior to the 2010 election, to recognize marriage in the tax code, nothing has happened. So the party that promotes itself as being for the family continues to penalize married couples over cohabiting couples. This in spite of all evidence confirming that children raised within a 'normal' married family achieve better at school, commit less crime etc., etc..
Union
The Conservatives are the party of the UNion. Yet they are allowing the Scottish Nationalist Party to make all the running as regards the question of Scottish Independence. This when they both know that a referendum for such independence is one that can only be legal if it is sanctioned and carried out under the auspices of the UK government. The defence of the Union is feeble and the lies and half-truths and economic claptrap that emanates from Holyrood is left unchallenged. One supposed upshot of Scottish independence is said to be that Labour will lose a very significant part of it's Westminster presence. That is something to be wished for but only if the Conservatives then follow Conservative policies.
Energy and The Environment
The Conservatives have continued with the economic and environmental madness espoused by Labour and also their Lib-Dem Coalition partners and the European Green fanatics. They continue with a policy to meet a threat - Global Warming - which real science - as opposed to the fakers and falsifying scientists - know is simply untrue. More and more we are hearing of scientists exposing the lies (they don't do half-truths!) put out by the Climate Change fanatics. However, the Conservatives continue with these flawed 'green' policies. They enforce Wind power on communities, subsidize it to the hilt (from rampantly increasing energy bills) and totally ignore the fact that it is inefficient (at absolute very best each turbine can generate a maximum of 30% of its stated capacity!) and above all else, has to be backed-up with other generating capacity (the wind doesn't blow all the time!)
Welfare Reform
At the first sign of opposition, from the Socialist Workers Party, this Conservative led Coalition, caves in and changes the rules on what was, in reality, never as draconian a policy as it was said to be (the SWP are not known for letting facts get in the way of an anti-capitalist rant). The so called Welfare Cap is still way, way too high. How can it incentivize people to get a job when the job they can get is paying less than the cap? East Europeans will take these lower paying jobs because in their own country, they have no cap and no real safety net - so no work = no life of relative luxury on the dole!
Summary
The only area where this supposedly Conservative-led Coalition is following Conservative policies is in Education. Here they are freeing schools from the bindings of out-dated and Left-wing controlled PC lobbies.
Elsewhere, I see a Conservative Government whose sole question, since 2010 seems to be 'How can we get re-elected in 2015? All policies and actions lead to that goal. The Conservatives have to be about more than just that!!
And, Conservatives don't really have a choice.
- If you are an employee of the state you can vote Labour, in the sure and certain knowledge that they will use someone else's money to fund your existence.
- Same for those on welfare.
Conservative businessmen? - Continuing to drown in 'Red Tape' and ever higher tax demands. Conservative private sector employees?- Higher taxes, energy bills, less service and an ever bleaker economic future (whether or not we come under the boot of the German led Europeans)
Please don't suggest UKIP - they are a one-trick pony. The BNP likewise and their policies are strongly socialist once you get beyond their abhorrent views on immigration.
Someone please tell me that at some point, the Conservative Party will start to act in a manner, and follow policies, that make their supporters grateful that they voted for them. I don't want to have to wait until 2016!
Thankfully coalition governments are rare in the UK. There is too much squabbling and the economic stakes for our country are too great.
ReplyDeleteThe Lib Dems still dream of being the kindlier half of the coalition. Yet without economic growth, this will earn them no voter gratitude in 2015. The Conservatives are being hypocritical: for all their bold talk of deregulation, the party is still defending right-wing shibboleths, notably plans to limit skilled immigration, even though government-commissioned studies predict that this will hurt growth.
The Lib Dems should accept new, pro-growth reforms to employment laws, welfare and education that anger the left. In return, they should demand concessions on things such as immigration rules that will enrage the right. Coalition government is rare in Britain: both parties should use it to overcome each other's flaws and remove obstacles to growth. It is a risky strategy. But the alternatives are worse.
I guess after the weekend's revelations about Conservative party funding you might be distancing yourself even further from the party.
ReplyDeleteIt's time you took a stand and went up for election. You've proved with this blog that although your views are slightly anti-Scottish you are an honest, well-read, articulate chap and would act with integrity.
I was traveling and missed the story about the 'Dinners with Dave' but came back to the Pastygate issue and then the fuel non-strike.
DeletePersonally, if I gave 250K to a party, I would at least expect a personal thank you but I think I would be incredibly naive to think I could influence policy. After all, my name isn't Ecclestone and I haven';t given a million!!
Pastygate reflects poorly on all politicians and the media. Frankly this is a damned if you do, damned if you don't issue. Hard to believe that we have soldiers dying in a foreign land and such drivel takes up column inches and air-time!
As for the fuel panic - I am not sure who is worse - the government for creating a panic and then seeking to defend it or the public for rushing 'lemming like' to the garages to 'top-up'.
Both stories say so much about what is wrong with our country.
You flatter me to suggest standing for parliamment. I don't think I am diplomatic enough.
I don't consider myself 'anti-Scottish'. I am pro-Union and want a level playing field for all members of the United Kingdom. As regards Independence for Scotland, I just want them to get on with the vote and then we can settle the issue and focus on what's really important.