The credentials that a political party needs to establish before voters will permit it to pursue otherwise contentious goals.
In January 2005 Tony Blair declared his “one central purpose” to be “increased personal prosperity and well-being”. He continued: “We need to show how we will continue to make individuals and their families better off”. It was an unashamed statement of materialism. Some criticised him for making such a materialist statement but he got away with it. It would have been much harder for a ‘loadsamoney Tory’ from the Thatcher era to make such a naked appeal to self-interest.
New Labour politicians have often been ‘permitted’ to say tougher things on immigration because most voters – and the establishment at large - think they have a proven record on race relations. Because of their ‘caring credentials’ they have been able to speak about welfare reform without attracting the same kind of suspicion that dogs the Conservative Party’s welfare ambitions. Tony Blair was once able to talk about the importance of two parent families because he wasn’t seen as being opposed to single parents (like those ‘nasty Tories’).
[Incidentally, as the list goes on it also becomes clear how Tony Blair consistently failed to live up to his rhetoric on immigration, welfare reform and the family].
The Tories and permission politics
As the Tories think of ways in which they can 'sell' tax cutting or family strengthening policies they need, first, to think how they can be trusted to deliver them at all.
- Before they cut taxes, for example, they may need to prove that they believe in essential public services and will protect them.
- Before or at the same time as they eliminate the marriage penalty they may need to find ways of helping all families who are struggling with debt or housing problems. They must also rid their ranks of all hatefulness towards people of an alternative lifestyle.
The ‘And theory of conservatism’ is a central element of permission politics. Tough immigration policies, for example, become acceptable to floating voters if they are coupled with seriously generous commitments to international development. An honest conversation about the connection between some terrorism and Islamic teaching becomes possible if the instigator of the conversation has shown themselves to have supported Muslim schools or relieved the suffering of Muslims in another part of the world.
'Permission' and Christian evangelism
The idea of 'permission' applies to Christian evangelism. Martin Luther King Jnr warned Christians that "whom you would change you must first love." If Christians become associated with pharisaical legalism they will be neither faithful to Holy Scripture’s basic teachings nor be effective missionaries. To be effective and faithful witnesses Christians must be loving neighbours who try and live godly, compassionate lives.
Comments