As the Davis dust settles, the real argument should begin
Dear Philip Johnston,
A truly excellent article in today’s Telegraph. When looking back to the resignation of David Davis last week, it is regrettable that the incident invoked more stories about Conservative confusion and disarray than it did about the reason behind his decision. Your analysis brought it home that Davis’s incredible and unexpected actions were rooted in something very genuine, despite what his opponents want us to think.
I agree that if we look back in the not-so-distant past, the authoritarian roots of the Conservative Party are evident in their stances on crime and punishment, to the point where the Left would try to label them as such. The more recent past has seen the Conservatives move towards individual freedom and a small state; a thread that can be seen running from Cameron back to Thatcher. Your point about liberty and freedom never seriously being challenged before is extremely important, because the voters have taken a very long time to wake up to the dangerous road that Labour have taken us down since 1997 (and will continue to do so). Criminal law does indeed reach into parts of our lives that no-one ever seriously thought it would, such as freedom of speech being attacked through unnecessary ‘religious hatred’ laws, unelected officials being able to walk into our homes unopposed and innocent people having their DNA stored on a database for criminals. This has all happened quietly and slowly to prevent anyone kicking up a fuss, but Davis has turned the spotlight on this issue in a way that no campaigning or pressure group could ever manage on their own.
Like yourself, I remember Gordon Brown confidently declaring to the nation that he wished to “write a new chapter in our country’s story of liberty” and he has delivered on this promise. It’s just that we naively thought he meant giving us our liberty back rather than taking more liberties away. David Davis has made a stand against something that should worry every single person in this country, and I can only hope that his actions make people realise that freedom itself is on the line.
Yours sincerely,
A.Tory
I think G Brown has been watching V For Vendetta and wetting himself over the idea of appointing himself High Chancellor.
Ha, maybe. Not sure Gordon is normal enough to watch films, though.
Actually he likes those westerns where the cowboys are surrounded and it all looks hopeless. The main man makes a defiant speech and then just when it looks all over for him, the cavalry arrive and save the day.
I don’t know why those are his favourites
Word around the campfire is, Davis is putting off resigning until after PMQs on Wednesday, hoping to get a question in. A strange move, again, but he’s obviously hoping to get some points scored about Labour’s backbone (or lack thereof).
Who knows what he’ll ask!
I still haven’t heard official confirmation that Labour aren’t putting up a candidate, so Davis will certainly use any opportunity he can get.
No doubt Labour will try to make out that it’s all just a publicity stunt if provoked.
Davis certainly earns my respect: as you may recall, I’ve long admired him. Obviously, as a liberal, I don’t agree with the majority of his views. But we need a civil liberties coalition, most of whose members won’t agree with the majority of what I think, & I welcome him to that coalition.
We are seeing alliances in politics: retaining our seperate identities, the various factions team up on a case by case basis then go their seperate ways.
Both Old & New Labour have used the state for social engineering: trying to micromanage the economy. The Tories, as we all know, have historically been just as much social engineers, trying to use the bludgeon of the state to bring about their social objectives.
But I hope we are moving away from that. Both the Tories and the Lib Dems are becoming more libertarian: we all understand that what we want socially & economically can’t be given by ratcheting up state power.
I am referring in particular to the hideous system of “working tax credits” & the dishonest focus on “child poverty”… when it’s parents who are poor, not children, & rather than subsidising low-paid jobs through the Speenhamland System Part 2, the government should improve the education system so people’s labour will be worth more, and then they might just get paid more! (& leave the net of benefits).
Speaking of education, there was a report of our mate Clegg’s speech at LDV, & I issued a response to that, which was of interest. I have become more receptive to libertarianism, but only if it serves the interests of the worst off, which I am starting to think it will…
I also agree that we don’t have to look far to find authoritarian ideas in the conservative party. When grilled by the locals around here about why I’m a tory, I explain the liberal tradition and the fact that labour can never be liberal. The authoritarian fringe in the conservatives must be kept at just that.
The Conservatives have certainly become more libertarian in their outlook, although some of their policies still have a distinct whiff of government control which I find very irritating.
LFaT – Can I sign you up for the odd cross post to a blog supporting DD’s campaign and civil liberties/freedom ? ( And anybody else whose interested ).
4 David Davis 4 Freedom.