Fiscal conservatism is key to uniting the Tory coalition

In the November survey of ConHome readers we asked people to identify the extent to which they identified with various strands of conservatism. People were asked 'What kind of Conservative are you?' and invited to score themselves against nine descriptions of conservatism on a scale of 1 to 10. The resulting averages are below:

A fiscal conservative who wants less public spending and a balanced budget: 8.57

A supply-side Conservative who wants lower taxes and less regulation: 8.46

A libertarian Conservative who wants less government in all walks of life: 8.29

A compassionate Conservative who wants to build up the family, reform welfare and see school choice for every parent: 7.95

A Eurosceptic Conservative: 7.88

A social Conservative who supports marriage and traditional values: 7.57

A law and order Conservative who believes that prison works and in zero tolerance policing: 7.48

A Unionist Conservative who wants England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to stay together: 7.12

A hawkish Conservative who supports military action against despotic and dangerous regimes: 5.20

I am not surprised that people most identified with the economic definitions of conservatism. I am interested in the high marks given to both libertarianism and compassionate conservatism. I hope that libertarians recognise that public policy has an important enabling role in building up the family, local schools and welfare-to-work in order to deliver a more independent and self-supporting citizenry.

I had expected Euroscepticism to score more highly and perplexed at why 'law and order Conservatism' came in at just number seven.

The party's increasing ambivalence about the Union is reflected in the lowish rating for Unionism although it's very clear in the top half.

It looks like hawkishness may be pretty unpopular at the moment. Any action against "despotic and dangerous regimes" by a Conservative Prime Minister could cause splits in the Tory coalition.  That 5.20 rating doesn't surprise me but does disappoint me given how dangerous our world is becoming.  

Tim Montgomerie

Don Porter appointed as successor to Chris Chope MP as chairman of Conservative Way Forward

After seven years as honorary chairman of Conservative Way Forward, Chris Chope MP has stepped down and the Thatcherite organisation's Executive Committee has appointed as his successor Don Porter, who recently stood down as chairman of the National Conservative Convention.

The appointment was announced at CWF's summer drinks reception last night at which William Hague (before hotfooting it to Norwich North) thanked Chris Chope for his work over the years and hailed Don Porter's appointment.

Speaking to ConservativeHome, Don Porter said he was "delighted and very honoured" to have been invited to take over from Chris Chope, who he regarded - like the previous two CWF chairmen, Eric Forth and Cecil Parkisnon - as a good friend.

"I'm excited about the prospect of growing the organisation still further, expanding it in terms of membership and activity and influence," he said, explaining that he wanted to build on the existing foundations to make it a more national organisation.

He also expressed a desire to build on the organisation's Thatcherite roots to bring new centre-Right politicians in the party into the CWF fold.

"If anyone has new ideas or wants to get more involved in CWF, then I would be delighted to hear from them via email," he added.

Given Don's extensive experience at all levels within the party, as a loyal Conservative with a capacity to wield considerabe influence behind the scenes, he is an excellent appointment to this role.

He was also one of those featured in our Search for 100 Peers feature earlier in the year.

Jonathan Isaby

What is your Policy of the Year?

Yesterday we sought your Writer of the Year.  Today we are seeking your nominations for Policy of the Year.  The Policy can be an idea proposed by a think tank or other thought leader or a policy proposed by a political party or parliamentarian.

CONSERVATIVEHOME THAMES CRUISE
The awards will be presented during a Thames boat cruise on Thursday 23rd July from 7pm until just after 10pm. I am delighted to report that Daniel Hannan MEP will be joining us for the cruise and will be making a brief speech.  One other speaker will be announced soon.  The cost will be £30 and will include a big BBQ.  After one free drink there will be a cash bar.  If you'd like to join us for the cruise please send a £30 cheque (made payable to ConservativeHome) to ConservativeHome, 5 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London, SW1P 3JS.  Alternatively you can pay by PayPal.  Click here and pay £30 and we'll send you a confirmation email.

Tim Montgomerie

Who is your Writer of the Year?

On Monday we sought your nominations for Parliamentarian of the Year and yesterday for the Campaigner of the Year.   Today we are seeking your nominations for Writer of the Year.  The Writer can be a newspaper columnist, a blogger, an author...

CONSERVATIVEHOME THAMES CRUISE WITH DAN HANNAN MEP
The awards will be presented during a Thames boat cruise on Thursday 23rd July from 7pm until just after 10pm. I am delighted to report that Daniel Hannan MEP will be joining us for the cruise and will be making a brief speech.  One other speaker will be announced soon.  The cost will be £30 and will include a big BBQ.  After one free drink there will be a cash bar.  If you'd like to join us for the cruise please send a £30 cheque (made payable to ConservativeHome) to ConservativeHome, 5 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London, SW1P 3JS.  Alternatively you can pay by PayPal.  Click here and pay £30 and we'll send you a confirmation email.

Tim Montgomerie

Who is your Campaigner of the Year?

Yesterday we sought your nominations for Parliamentarian of the Year.  Today we are seeking your nominations for Campaigner of the Year.  The Campaigner can be an organisation, a parliamentarian, a blogger, a publication... entirely up to you.

CONSERVATIVEHOME THAMES CRUISE WITH DAN HANNAN MEP
The awards will be presented during a Thames boat cruise on Thursday 23rd July from 7pm until just after 10pm. I am delighted to report that Daniel Hannan MEP will be joining us for the cruise and will be making a brief speech.  One other speaker will be announced soon.  The cost will be £30 and will include a big BBQ.  After one free drink there will be a cash bar.  If you'd like to join us for the cruise please send a £30 cheque (made payable to ConservativeHome) to ConservativeHome, 5 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London, SW1P 3JS.  Alternatively you can pay by PayPal.  Click here and pay £30 and we'll send you a confirmation email.

Tim Montgomerie

Who is your Parliamentarian of the Year?

Today sees the opening of nominations for the ConservativeHome Awards.  We start with your nominations for Parliamentarian of the Year.  Last year's winner in this category was Michael Fallon MP.  Once all nominations have been made we'll hold an open vote to choose from a shortlist of three.

CONSERVATIVEHOME THAMES CRUISE
The awards will be presented during a Thames boat cruise on Thursday 23rd July from 7pm until just after 10pm. The cost will be £30 and will include a big BBQ.  After one free drink there will be a cash bar.  If you'd like to join us for the cruise please send a £30 cheque (made payable to ConservativeHome) to 5 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London, SW1P 3JS.  Alternatively you can pay by PayPal.  Click here and pay £30 and we'll send you a confirmation email.

Tim Montgomerie

Conservative movement

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