I would like to think that the author of this article is correct in his view that the Conservative Party is seeing a revival of One-Nation Conservatism/Toryism within it’s ranks, https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2018/08/why-have-the-tories-abandoned-their-promise-to-fight-burning-injustices/?
I must confess to nurturing a soft spot for the novelist and politician Benjamin Disraeli https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Disraeli.
The second of the 2 quotes is, I believe correctly attributed to Disraeli. There is, however some dispute regarding the first, with some attributing it to Disraeli, while others attribute this witticism to Moses Hadas. I, personally like to think that Disraeli was responsible for both witticisms, although the consensus of opinion is in favour of Hadas as regards the first one.
“Thank you for sending me a copy of your book – I shall waste no time in reading it”.
“A member of Parliament to Disraeli: ‘Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.’
That depends, Sir,’ said Disraeli, ‘whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.”
At university I read history and politics. Then, being a glutton for punishment I went on to do an MA in political theory, hence my interest on coming across this article concerning the rise of libertarianism among young people, (http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/rise-new-libertarians-meet-britains-next-political-generation-1469233). According to the piece, young people are turning away from support for the welfare state and embracing classical liberal economics combined with social libertarianism. What is being described in the article is not Conservatism for Conservatives do, on the whole support laws against drugs, prostitution etc. In contrast the libertarianism being described here is opposed to what it perceives as unwarranted restrictions on personal liberty of which (they believe) measures against drugs, prostitution etc are a part. Again, within British Conservatism there exists a school of paternalist or one nation Tories who have accepted or, on occasions promoted social reforms (Benjamin Disraeli for example). This strand of paternalism is foreign to libertarianism of the kind being described here.
Worth a read.
Kevin
K Morris - Poet 