THE Conservative Party likes to think of itself as the natural party of government. Whereas continental conservatives might die in the ditch to protect the landed aristocracy or the established church, the Tories embrace change in order to manage it. Robert Peel abolished the Corn Laws, which provided subsidies to land owners. Benjamin Disraeli called for an extension of the franchise. R.A. Butler helped to build the post-war welfare state. The party that produced Britain’s first Jewish and female prime ministers puts the disciplined exercise of power above mere dogma.
Yet the party of government is busy rendering Britain ungovernable. The Conservatives first unleashed the horror of Brexit because they couldn’t stop “banging on about Europe”, and then made a complete and utter hash of implementing it. This week’s turmoil at the heart of government could look tame compared with what will happen later this year when Parliament has to legislate. The best that Britain can hope for is a deal that...Continue reading
from Britain https://ift.tt/2zwLA5s
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