Like some hero facing an arch enemy in fiction, my attitude to the Conservative Party, whilst primarily seeing them as opponents, is a rather convoluted one. I tend to respect the old Macmillan/Heathite sort, not because of their politics (although Harold Macmillan is the only Conservative Prime Minister who I regard myself as being closest to politically), but because of their stereotypical gentleman-like attitude to doing things.
There are still many individual Tories whom I do respect, at local, national, and indeed at blogging level. I have said before that if I was ever at the same election count as, say Iain Dale or Tim Roll-Pickering and the Tories were having a bad night. I would certainly not commiserate, but I would certainly be courteous enough to buy them a drink and give some kind words.
But then you get the other sort. The sort who remind you why you personally dislike the Conservative Party, let alone professionally or politically. Those who remind you why they ended up with the nickname "The Nasty Party". The sort who if you came across them at election counts where Labour were winning, there would be a huge temptation to verbally rub their faces in it! Those bovver boys who lack that small, but vital political necessity called Good Manners which has nothing to do with being a "Middle Class snob" as some of the self made among them like to think.
Kerron describes them well here, and indeed Kelvin Mackenzie said something similar in his Sun column on Thursday. For all David Cameron's talk of the Tories penetrating "No go areas", he seems to have little control over the many Conservatives who make nasty and rude comments about Scotland, Liverpool, Wales and anywhere else where they find it hard, if not impossible, to win seats. The problem for the Tories is, that people in those areas tend to have very long memories.
12 comments:
Are there counts where there are drinks served? I'm certainly no expert in these matters, but I would be a bit surprised.
On topic I think lots of people struggle to be good losers or gracious winners on election night especially if the campaign has been dirty. That's human nature and occurs in all parties, I think. The Monster Raving Loony Party being a notable exception.
It depends where the count is, but yeah sometimes there is a bar around the corner
I agree what you say about people at the count, it's just that some people seem to be naturally offensive and from where I am, most of them seem to be Tories.
As for the MRLP, I find that in my experience most "no hope" candidates tend to be the nicest ones there because they have no room for being smug or disappointed
I hate to agree with you but I'm going to. This is exactly why I left the Conservative Party and actually no longer even term myself a supporter. There are some great people in the Party and some elected representatives who are great at their jobs and genuinely work hard to represent their wards/constituencies.
However having spent 10+ years claiming that the offensive wing of the Conservative Party is the minority it came as a horrible realisation that actually the Tories are pretty much the nasty party. One of the reasons I left was that I didn't want to have to hate my opponents anymore and that's what was expected of me.
Politics is tough enough without dealing in personal hatreds.
This whole line of argument would make more sense if a project like hatemytory wasn't so roundly supported by Labour bloggers.
I suspect counts are when you see the worse, and maybe sometimes just occasionally the best in people. I watched the last Labour councillor in Woking lose his seat and was impressed with how friendly the other parties, especially the Conservatives, were towards him.
However all parties have their nasty side - the Lib Dems certainly do and I remember all to well the vile fascist natured aggression of the left at University.
If you need to find some reassurance in terms of the character of the Conservative party that excuses not supporting the policies most likely to help Britain, especially the poorest in society (social mobility anyone ?) then it is a great shame, and something you will come to regret. (Remember your party has accepted most of what Mrs T did in government - and both Brown and Blair do everything they can to try to associate themselves with her successes. Heath allowed the 3 day working week and the near economic destruction of Britain in conflicts with Marxist inspired left wing unions. What matters is what works - who said that ?)
Dehumanising your opponents and name calling is a sign of weakness. Its also not very nice.
By the way its a great shame the Conservatives haven't made more inroads in inner cities in the North - but we are the largest party in local government in the North. Especially as one of the best local regenerations in recent decades was organised by the Conservatives in Leeds.
Liverpool isn't the city I would chose to cite as an example if I was trying to make the case for Labour.
Prague, I am not a fan of HatemyTory, because I see it as counterproductive, but why is it that I seem to come across more rude and objectionable Tories than Labour activists (I suspect this may have something to do with the fact that for years the Tories were used to power and Labour were used to opposition).
Man in a Shed, I suspect some of it is down to the Count being usually at night time, after a long day. The boys in blue seem more amiable in daytime. As for the old fashioned Tory, I stated that I liked their style, not their policies, as for Liverpool, they voted Millitant in the 80s, which was not a good idea, but they do have a loathing for the Conservatives and one has to ask oneself why that is?
The Labour party are "The Stupid Party."
There is about as much evidence to support that claim as there is to support your claim that the Tory party is still "The Nasty Party." Your just trying to play party politics - and badly.
Says one who posts anonymously.
I actually wish you were right because I do prefer to see more civility in politics, but I have not seen evidence to the contary and what Louise has said backs my point.
"Says one who posts anonymously."
Why does that make any difference whatsoever?
As for one person agreeing with you, so what? I know lots of people that are/were Conservative Party members - some are positive some are not.
This particular entry is a bunch of unfounded accusations about the Tory party. It's what puts people off politics. If you were to use examples of how they are sleazy etc then fine - thats slightly better. But of course then people would come back at you with examples of where the Labour party are just as sleazy.
Attack Conservative policy - past or present - thats fine. Making observations about how "nasty" Conservatives are with no evidence really is not what I (or i imagine anyone else) wants to read in an otherwise good blog!!
It makes a difference because you are prepared to make sharp comments, fair or otherwise, without having the confidence to mention who you are!
I was also careful in my post not to attack all Conservatives, I am simply referring to a collection of individuals within the Conservative Party who have a well deserved reputation for being unpleasant.
"I am simply referring to a collection of individuals within the Conservative Party who have a well deserved reputation for being unpleasant."
I see that as just as bad. More talk with no proof but about a group rather than individuals. If i told people on my blog "africans smell" i would be deemed racist and ignorant etc and quite fairly!
So why is ok to claim Conservatives are "nasty" as a group or individuals?
As for anon allowing me to make sharp comments? Thats a good thing!
Well I find your comparison with Africans rather offensive and ill thought out, as I am talking about human behaviour here. In any case your attitude has somewhat been proving my point. If you think it's a good thing to be anonymous in order to make sharp comments fine, I, and other bloggers who deal with anonymous posts, regard it as pathetic and cowardly. I honestly don't see any point in continuing this discussion
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