Tim Montgomerie tried to define his “Mainstream Conservatism” project again this morning. (My first take on it is here and Pete’s astute view is here). Bear in mind that Tim contrasts liberal conservatism with what he calls “authentic conservatism” and that while he insists upon the importance of breadth (good!) his movement is the one that’s deciding which conservatives are “authentic” and which are not.
To take Tim’s points in order:
1. “Co-operation with the Liberal Democrats in government is working well, but far from perfectly.” By “far from perfectly” he means that the coalition agreement isn’t an entirely Tory document (just 80%!). Well, yes, that’s what happens in a coalition. Most liberal conservatives want a Conservative majority after the next election but recognise that compromise and partnership is, especially in the present circumstances, not a bad thing simply because it involves compromise and partnership.
2. “Mainstream Conservatives do not want to jettison the new breadth of Conservatism.
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