Should conservative parties pursue liberal-minded centrist support or compete against far-Right populists for working-class voters?
Today’s parliamentary bout provides an excellent opportunity to review other vital perspectives on the legislation – and see which approach might be closest to the Prime Minister’s own.
But, again and again, there is temptation to say nothing, do nothing and hope for things to turn around on their own. And that, in our current circumstances, won’t do.
It isn’t clear how Labour can meet Jeremy Hunt’s fiscal rules whilst still promising a huge investment to deliver” a green economy”.
From renationalisation of the energy and train companies to a bonfire of environmental and employment regulations, taking back control from Brussels has opened a new range of possibilities that were previously off the menu.
The average voter in the Red Wall cares more about the NHS, surging bills, and small boats than they do the exact regulatory environment chemical companies currently face.
His plan for 2024 is to say: “I may not be most exciting politician in the world. But I’m the more reliable of the two before you. What I promise I then deliver.” It’s unlikely to be enough on its own.
The Truss premiership proved a false dawn for free marketeers. But there is still an opportunity for the fortunes of Britain and the Conservative Party to revive.
The question we should be aiming to answer is how we can make our financial sector both competitive and secure.
The unions were small-c conservatives. They paraded under heraldic banners, had no truck with such new-fangled ideas as women’s rights, and wanted to keep every coal mine in the country open.
Our strong sense is that our competitors – we cite France particularly – are more focussed on choosing nominees who might be expected to advance national interests on the world stage.
The Energy Charter Treaty is another area where our parliament needs to reclaim the right to make its own laws without fear of costly legal action.
This Government does not have long to overcome quangoland’s opposition. It must show determination to get change in Whitehall before Whitehall’s resistance helps engineer a change of government.
We risk losing our manifesto commitment, enabled by Brexit, to end live animal exports for fattening and slaughter, as well as important measures to end puppy and kitten smuggling.