When I first joined the Conservatives, I did so because of the people I encountered. I met professional, optimistic, hard-working individuals who spoke about politics as public service and a privilege.
The more I read up on the history of the party, the more I realised that it embodied the same values I do. A small government that gets out of people’s way yet protects the most vulnerable. The freedom for an individual to swing their arms as much as they like, so long as they didn’t hit someone else. It stood for personal responsibility, both for one’s own future as well as to the most in need. Conservatism, as I see it, puts service to the taxpayer as the ultimate duty.
The actions of Boris Johnson and the report of the privileges committee reveals something very key. Boris Johnson is not a conservative.
Whilst somewhat embellished and over the top, the report is clear that Johnson lied to the public. He took taxpayers for granted and operated with a sense of entitlement. I have never felt comfortable with Johnson heading the party and I am glad that he has now stepped down.
Johnson’s actions have tarnished the reputation of respectable Conservatives across the country. Hard working local councillors right up to diligent cabinet members. When campaigning in local elections, I had more people speaking to me about Johnson’s parties than about local policies.
He was a distraction, and he has led the party to ruin.
I have said all along, the best thing that Johnson could have done would be to stand at the steps of Number 10 and give a list of all events that took place during Covid. He should have taken ownership and the public may have then forgiven him. Instead, he spun a web of stories.
Whilst a man of many failings, Johnson did still do some good. He got Brexit done and he prevented a radical left-wing Corbynite government. There is no great conspiracy against Conservatives, Johnson’s own moral failing, his arrogance, was his downfall.
This last month, and the forthcoming by-elections, will be an important lesson for Conservatives. We must return to our roots, to grassroots campaigning and to getting on with the job. We must recognise that none of us have the ‘right’ to be elected officials. You may be a Councillor for 1 year or an MP for 20, you are still junior to the electorate.
As the Conservative party rebuilds, we must do so by looking back to Burke and Wilberforce. We must not fetishise the successes of Brexit and embrace nationalism. We must dedicate ourselves to public service, to defeating poverty, to enabling success.
Only then will Conservatives remain in power.
What is done in the dark will come to light. The fruit of the light is goodness, righteousness and truth. As Edmund Burke once said; “The fate of good men, who refuse to engage in politics, is that they will be ruled by evil men… the hottest fires in Hell are reserved for those who remained neutral in a time of moral crisis”
Babylon is burning. We must let it fall. Only then can we build something better.
Dear All:
What we faced in the past, we need to work together for our future. I hope all of us should bear in mind, **Conservative** may have a different meaning from one another, but once we become a member of the Conservatives, we should go ahead forever.
I came from Hong Kong, I don't know the reason why the chop of the Conservative Party went to my mind in my childhood. Naturally, one day my email received an invitation, and I joined.
I have now become a BRITISH CITIZEN, I need to get a channel to convey my voice, The voices of people should be passed.
Our nation is full of politicians, as all we say: Government of the…
I've never heard so much sanctimonious claptrap as I've heard from Conservative MP's (and councillors) as I have this week. They have all wrapped themselves in a cloak of self righteousness and taken the moral high ground..it wasn't me gov! The vast majority of Conservative MP's owe their seats to Boris, especially the red wall cohort. Yes Boris made mistakes, but WHO else would have got Brexit done, ensured the vacine rollout, supported Ukraine. His downfall was a well orchestrated knifing from Pygmies.
The vast majority of Conservative voters forgave his eccentric peccadillos and would have been happy for him to soldier on.
Look at the state of you now, a right dogs breakfast. This was a kangaroo court, packed…
The whole of the Conservative cabinet except for Suella Braverman should be sacked and replaced. We want doers not talkers.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of whoever did what it would be good if ALL the members of the Conservative started singing from the same song sheet.
Don’t forget the present Prime Minister was fined for attending a party too and didn’t say anything until he was caught out. I don’t trust any of them I’m afraid.