Divine Right

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…

Theresa May Dominic Grieve Brexit sacred duty

The divine right of Dominic Grieve and the ‘sacred duty’ to prevent Brexit

February 18, 2019
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"My right honourable friend the Prime Minister talks about her sacred duty over Brexit," declared former Attorney General Dominic Grieve in the Valentine's Day debate on the UK's withdrawal from…

Balfour 100: we are not ashamed of (re-)creating the State of Israel

November 2, 2017
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A hundred years ago today, the Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour wrote to Lord Rothschild, leader of British Jewry, to convey the intention of the UK Government to re-establish the nation…

The knives are out for Labour Leave and Socialist Brexiteers

September 3, 2017
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Giles Fraser sends out a tweet: 'Poorest will gain most under Brexit, says Labour report'. And the derision poured forth: ...report by rabid Brexit supporters. As rabid a Brexiteer as…

Owen Paterson: Cameron has "lost touch" with the counties, and will most likely lose his head

April 27, 2016
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"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…

The Divine Right of HM Revenue and Customs

July 13, 2015
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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,…