Why We Must Support the Conservatives

As we approach the next election — which could be held as early as 2024 — a note of cynicism has crept into Conservative commentary — a sense that one might as well lie back accept a Labour triumph.

This seems disastrously short sighted. Are we really going to accept the ascendance of Kooky Keir?

To be sure, Conservative governance has not been an unblemished success. One could raise issues about its occasional imperfections. Yet before we succumb to the end of Tory rule, one or two key facts about that grim prospect are worth mentioning.

First — economics. The sad truth is that with Labour at the helm, Britain is likely to face years of minimal economic growth. According to OBR projections, the British economy will grow by only 0.7% in 2024 and 1.4% in 2025.

Now, a cynic might point out that the Conservatives are in fact in government and that the OBR projections are based on things that have happened while they have been in ruling. What this childish response fails to appreciate is that the markets are clearly spooked by the possibility of Labour winning. Re-elect the Conservatives and Britain can look forward to years of prosperity.

Second — immigration. This week, the ONS reported that Britain has experienced record levels of net migration. Immigration has massively increased since Brexit, which many voters supported in the cause of restrictionism. Again, some might blame the people who happen to be in office. An understandable mistake. But a more sober assessment would encompass the possibility that migrants have been arriving in anticipation of Labour rule. If they were not looking forward to years of living under Prime Minister Keir Starmer they wouldn’t have come in the first place. Blame Labour, not the Tories.

Third — cultural cohesion. I don’t want to scare you but under Squishy Starmer it seems frighteningly plausible that Britain could face hundreds of thousands of people angrily demonstrating in London over foreign conflicts, with the police unable or unwilling to stop their more unruly elements from desecrating war memorials and harassing common folk as they go about their business. It might sound unimaginable — but is it?

Fourth — political instability. Can we trust the dysfunctional Labour Party to provide stable and effective leadership? Keir Starmer — let’s face it — is an uncharismatic, unconvincing politician, awkward in public speaking and divisive among his own members and MPs. In other words, he is nothing like Rishi Sunak. Will he serve a whole term or will Britain have two, or three, or even four prime ministers within five years? What an abject humiliation that would be.

Fifth — energy. An ill-prepared race towards net zero already confronts Britain with the potential for blackouts in the future. With Labour in government we might not even have thousands of copies of little-read right-leaning think tank papers on the real meaning of conservatism to burn to keep us warm. A chilly prospect.

I could go on. You might have zero chance of owning a house under the Conservatives but under Labour? Less than that. Under the Tories, Britain has enjoyed the blessings of a firm criminal justice system which ensures that killing a pensioner who told you to behave, for example, will have you put away for at least two years. Can we trust Labour to be so sound? The Conservatives are solid and respectable folk who have repeatedly emphasised their “zero tolerance” approach to sexual misconduct. Have Labour suspended so many MPs for sordid crimes and misdemeanours? I don’t think so.

Yes, comrades, the choice is clear. If you want a weak economy, weak governance and chronic social tensions, vote Conservative. It’s the best that you can hope for.