Talking about the Tories
Conservatives Must Inspire
By: K. Douglas Cochran
Any casual observer of Britain’s political climate will note the terminal decline of the Conservative Party, but few have fully appreciated the mammoth task which faces the Tories this year as they attempt to retake Westminster after two terms out of power. Indeed, trying to unseat a popular government during a time of economic prosperity is difficult enough without the internal squabbling and lack of direction that have plagued the Conservatives since their exile to the Opposition benches nearly eight years ago.
What’s more, nearly all of the major issues in modern politics favor the left by default. Indeed, Labour can automatically win on issues of health, education, the environment, housing, and social spending with the magic words, “more investment.” The Conservatives cannot hope to top the government in a bidding war for public services, so they must look elsewhere for winning issues.
Generally speaking, there are five issues which can deliver elections for the right: moral values, foreign policy, economic management, crime, and taxes. Moral values are not the trump card that they are in America, and Conservatives risk reminding the public of charges of “sleaze” that dogged Major in 1997 if they attempt to raise questions of ethics. Foreign policy usually works well if your party championed a short war against aggression (i.e. The Falklands), but Middle England isn’t so keen on neo-imperialist ventures with no clear end in sight. Gordon Brown’s economic management has been surprisingly prudent, and voters certainly don’t wish to return to the days of Thatcherite “boom and bust”. Crime, too, has become a winning issue for Labour, which has spared no expense in increasing numbers of police. More damaging, as Blair is fond of reminding the British public, the number of police in Britain actually fell during Michael Howard’s term as Home Secretary.
Taxes, however, may yet work for the Tories. While the government has been careful not to increase the top rate of income tax, Labour has raised other taxes sixty-six times and may be forced to go even further if economic growth begins to falter. Michael Howard has done well to bring the government to account for its stealth taxes, but he cannot win on taxation without providing a credible alternative. Simply holding the line on taxes may be prudent, but it is far from inspirational. Only credible promises of meaningful tax relief will give voters a reason to come back to the party of Thatcher and Lawson.
A message of, “New Labour is fine, but we’re marginally better and anti-Europe” simply isn’t the rallying cry that will win back moderate voters, or even turn out the party faithful on polling day. Unless they are content to simply compete with the Liberal Democrats for second place, the Conservatives must strike out with boldness and conviction. They have nothing to lose but their complacency.
By: K. Douglas Cochran
Any casual observer of Britain’s political climate will note the terminal decline of the Conservative Party, but few have fully appreciated the mammoth task which faces the Tories this year as they attempt to retake Westminster after two terms out of power. Indeed, trying to unseat a popular government during a time of economic prosperity is difficult enough without the internal squabbling and lack of direction that have plagued the Conservatives since their exile to the Opposition benches nearly eight years ago.
What’s more, nearly all of the major issues in modern politics favor the left by default. Indeed, Labour can automatically win on issues of health, education, the environment, housing, and social spending with the magic words, “more investment.” The Conservatives cannot hope to top the government in a bidding war for public services, so they must look elsewhere for winning issues.
Generally speaking, there are five issues which can deliver elections for the right: moral values, foreign policy, economic management, crime, and taxes. Moral values are not the trump card that they are in America, and Conservatives risk reminding the public of charges of “sleaze” that dogged Major in 1997 if they attempt to raise questions of ethics. Foreign policy usually works well if your party championed a short war against aggression (i.e. The Falklands), but Middle England isn’t so keen on neo-imperialist ventures with no clear end in sight. Gordon Brown’s economic management has been surprisingly prudent, and voters certainly don’t wish to return to the days of Thatcherite “boom and bust”. Crime, too, has become a winning issue for Labour, which has spared no expense in increasing numbers of police. More damaging, as Blair is fond of reminding the British public, the number of police in Britain actually fell during Michael Howard’s term as Home Secretary.
Taxes, however, may yet work for the Tories. While the government has been careful not to increase the top rate of income tax, Labour has raised other taxes sixty-six times and may be forced to go even further if economic growth begins to falter. Michael Howard has done well to bring the government to account for its stealth taxes, but he cannot win on taxation without providing a credible alternative. Simply holding the line on taxes may be prudent, but it is far from inspirational. Only credible promises of meaningful tax relief will give voters a reason to come back to the party of Thatcher and Lawson.
A message of, “New Labour is fine, but we’re marginally better and anti-Europe” simply isn’t the rallying cry that will win back moderate voters, or even turn out the party faithful on polling day. Unless they are content to simply compete with the Liberal Democrats for second place, the Conservatives must strike out with boldness and conviction. They have nothing to lose but their complacency.
posted by Doug at 6:10 PM
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