Letter to the Editor: The Party is over for Tory moderates

Dear Editor

The Party is over for Tory moderates

As the Conservative Party takes a further lurch to the right, one is left wondering what the so-called ‘One Nation’ Conservatives are going to do? So far, the answer seems to be to go along for the ride. With the elimination of ‘moderates’ Mel Stride, Tom Tugendhat and James Cleverly from the Conservative Party leadership contest their supporters must finally realise the game is up. I know a few of these ‘One Nationers’, nearly all of them very decent people, and they have clung to the dream that a turnaround is (always) ‘just around the corner’. Well, I say to them ‘it isn’t! Your party is over’.

If you are a moderate Conservative who believes in equality of opportunity for all, a safety net for those that need it, a functioning NHS and a free (if not unfettered) market then there is a political party for you. It is called the Liberal Democrats.

If you are a Conservative whose primary concern is immigration (although I’d caution you to think about who will care for your ageing relatives or run the NHS) then it seems very much more likely that Reform will represent you, than the say-one-thing-do-another Conservative Party.

There is a realignment going on in politics. Canute like, right-wing Tories stand against the flowing tide, but the jig is up for the Conservative Party.

If the gloomy statism of Labour does not appeal to you, and you want a sensible, caring, moderate, centrist political party we in the Liberal Democrats will welcome you with open arms.

We believe now is the time for grown up politics; an optimistic vision of the future; sensible and constructive, if occasionally critical, cooperation. Now is the time to end the culture wars and sniping from the side-lines. Now is the time for normal not weird. Now is the time for all of us to work in the best interest of the country.

Regards

 Mark Wooding

Parliamentary Spokesperson

Central Devon Liberal Democrats