The Parable of the Prodigal Tory
There was a political party whose membership included a man and a woman. One day the man said to his party, "You know, I'm increasingly irritated by the political drift,…
Conservative Party
The Conservative Party does not govern – or even exist – by divine right
The Conservative Party is often referred to as "the natural party of government". Certainly, they dominated much of the 20th century – being in power for half of it, while the Liberals and Labour shared the other half – with…
Soubry: “Since the referendum, the forces of darkness have taken over”
We have become used to the notion of Brexit apocalypse, as the Archbishop of Canterbury observed last year: "They foresee the Four Horsemen of the Book of Revelation (death, hunger,…
Tories lose majority – what an unmitigated, self-inflicted disaster
Pride goes before a fall, and crap manifestos go before a democratic drubbing. Honestly, how did the Brexit election get hijacked by a dementia tax? Why mention the restoration of…
Theresa May will have more freedom to govern than Margaret Thatcher ever had
In her conference speech yesterday, Theresa May told us what Brexit means: "Britain is going to leave the European Union." She filled in some of the gaps with stirring Tory…
May's 'one nation' mission: let's talk about white working-class boys
"But David’s true legacy is not about the economy, but about social justice," explained Theresa May in her first speech as Prime Minister. "David Cameron has led a 'one…
Theresa May could be poised for real political greatness
"Brexit means Brexit, and we're going to make a success of it," proclaimed Theresa May, just hours before she was unexpectedly declared the new leader of the Conservative Party,…
The destruction of Andrea Leadsom: is it no longer permissible to be proud of motherhood?
"I absolutely am a Christian and I am very proud of it," Conservative leadership candidate Andrea Leadsom told Channel 4 News. "And it absolutely acts in the background in…
Michael Gove doesn't want to be PM: he wants meritocracy and freedom
"Michael Gove won't admit it, but tonight's EU debate is his first audition for the Tory leadership," wrote Asa Bennett in the Telegraph. Except he didn't because it wasn't.…
Archbishop slams George Osborne: "ludicrous.. scare stories.. all over the place.. he doesn't know"
It isn't the Archbishop of Canterbury or York (unfortunately), but the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Southwark, Peter Smith, who heads the Bishops' Conference department for Christian responsibility and citizenship.…
Owen Paterson: Cameron has "lost touch" with the counties, and will most likely lose his head
"The further you go from London, the stronger the feeling is," said former Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, speaking of England's deep strains of Euroscepticism. "I do get the slight…
Cameron's Christian values are devoid of liberty, spirit and truth
At least No10 bothered to issue an Easter greeting this year. Last year they omitted to do so, and then refused to reply to a number of the politest…
Tax credit cuts: Bishops regret "short-term impact", but not the PM's sophistry
Tax credits are not given to shirkers, but to strivers. They are paid to the lowest-earning families in society to help them feed their children. There is a 'working…
Murmur in Manchester Cathedral: Corbyn counters Conservative Party Conference
The Bishop of Manchester is neither a member nor a supporter of the Labour Party. We know this because he tweeted it. He lauds the Guardian for its superior…
Lower than ermine? Why is Ann Widdecombe not in the House of Lords?
One of these is in the House of Lords and oughtn't to be; and one isn't but really, really ought to be. One wonders why. Michelle Mone OBE (left)…
The Divine Right of HM Revenue and Customs
One expected a tactical Conservative prime minister leading a pragmatic Conservative Party in an expedient Liberal-Conservative coalition to propose or perform the occasional un-conservative thing. It was reasonably politic,…
Where is the Conservative Party's sense of intergenerational justice?
The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not…
Cameron's 'One Nation' vision for stronger families is back on track
It was a big 'One Nation' speech yesterday from the Prime Minister. He set out his vision for education and plans for welfare reform while visiting the Ormiston Bolingbroke…
It's time to put the bedroom tax to bed
If you select any of the government’s welfare cuts since 2010, it’s more than likely that there’s been a bishop or two who have opposed them. Remember the Bishops’…
Conservatives for Britain – but not if you're on Government payroll
"Conservatives for Britain has been formed among Tory parliamentarians to discuss the criteria by which to judge the Government's EU renegotiation. We are willing to consider how to prepare…