What would be an "authentically Conservative position"?
Libertarian optimist, mere conservative or communitarian nationalist? Who is the authentic Conservative? Towards a Conservatism that can work.
The Telegraph reports Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch has asked Conservative MPs to “take an authentically conservative position”. What could this mean? Thatcherism, updated? Avoidance of change? Nostalgia?
Her challenge to MPs may turn out to be far greater than intended. This is not a branding crisis: it is existential. The Politico poll of polls has the Conservatives firmly in third place (17%) with Reform leading (30%) and Labour second (23%).
Moreover, the Conservative party is a broad church around which change is accelerating. A great realignment is in progress as identity replaces economic organisation as the main axis of politics across the western world1. That can be seen in the rise of Reform.
If there is a great realignment fundamentally transforming British politics and the coalitions behind our political system, what is the future for the centre right and the Conservatives? Optimistic libertarianism, mere conservatism or communitarian nationalism?
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