I am a "one nation" Tory, which I regard as the grouping which embraces the traditions developed by the likes of Macmillan and Heath.

Strict adherence to law and order in all areas, free market economics, the reward of enterprise, the principal of subsidiarity, a social policy which protects the most vulnerable whilst penalising laziness, support for the NHS and the BBC, support for Nato, support for the Union, the provision of help for developing nations and humanitarian aid in emergencies.

He was a director of the bank I used to work for

Did you get any impressions?

I am a "one nation" Tory, which I regard as the grouping which embraces the traditions developed by the likes of Macmillan and Heath.

Strict adherence to law and order in all areas, free market economics, the reward of enterprise, the principal of subsidiarity, a social policy which protects the most vulnerable whilst penalising laziness, support for the NHS and the BBC, support for Nato, support for the Union, the provision of help for developing nations and humanitarian aid in emergencies.

It's for this reason I have retired from this section of the HOL, but as this comment deserves my support I will make an exception. It's the same small group of posters banging the same old tired drums. They are not, in my opinion, representative of the general sentiment held by the people in the UK as a whole, although I am only too aware that there is a vocal minority who think as they do. Brexit, the election of Trump and the rise of popularism generally has given them the confidence to express themselves more openly.

I hope it is just a temporary phenomenon and they will again retire to the shadows. Of course such voices need to be heard but for them to dominate anywhere makes me feel very nervous for the future direction of civilised, progressive societies everywhere.

As, in my experience, there is no reasoning with such people the only way to handle them is to out vote them, using the long established methods embedded in our democratic system. Which, by the way, does not include referendums or threads on social media platforms.

Edited by Wisbech Eagle (13 Feb 2019 12.27pm)

Tony Blair was the most sensible Labour leader of my lifetime whose reputation has been very unfairly maligned because of the Iraq war issue.

Being liberal is an entirely positive attribute.

You don't judge people's politics because you personally find them creepy. Heath's manner was odd at times but he had his head screwed on politically.

I thought Thatcher was exceptionally creepy but she also had an admirable side to her character and was of her time. The problem today is that too many in the Tory Party think that her ideas remain relevant and heroine worship her legacy.