ConservativeHome's Dictionary

Zero tolerance

By refusing to tolerate minor crimes - like vandalism and public drunkenness - a well-policed community can stop petty criminals jumping on the conveyor belt to more serious crimes.

Demand for government

Reductions in the supply of government services will only be temporary if the demand for those services has never been tackled.

Good for my neighbour issues

Iain Duncan Smith has argued that today's voters don't just want to support a party that is 'good for them'. A decisive number also want to support a political party that is 'good for their neighbour'.

Tory modernisation strategies

The pursuit of (1) ‘core vote issues’ like Europe, tax and crime, (2) social libertarianism, and (3) one nation policies have all been proposed as paths back to electoral success for Britain’s Tories.

Tick box politics

Tick box politics is a form of gesture politics that betrays the lack of importance attached to an issue by a politician.

Third party endorsements

Backing from an influential and trusted profession, charity or celebrity can greatly increase public support for a political pitch.

Targeted tax relief

Low taxation underpins job-creating economies and can be used to build strong and generous societies.

Strivers (or Battlers)

Strivers are people who have to battle through layers of red tape, tax and congestion to improve their own and their families' lives.

Progressive conservatism

The failure of left-liberal methods to build social justice and social peace puts conservative ideas in the vanguard of overturning failed status quo situations.

Permission politics

The credentials that a political party needs to establish before voters will permit it to pursue otherwise contentious goals.