It has been a turbulent week regarding defections—the most notable being those of Robert Jenrick and Andrew Rosindell. The two MPs followed after other notable figures such as Sir Jake Berry and Danny Kruger. For a name that was on the last Tory leadership ballot, and another who has been a lifelong loyalist to the party, to jump ship in the same week should indicate that the party is in a state of disarray with no realistic way back. For the Tories, however, this is not the case.
There is no doubt that these defections, and admittedly countless others over the last couple of years, have been the catalyst for Conservative members, activists, and politicians to carry out some deep soul-searching as to why they are sticking with a seemingly sinking ship. On the face of it, the pros of making the switch outweigh the cons, and many have come to this conclusion.
This article is not to dwell on how drifting from our core values has caused collateral damage; it is instead to say that our party still has a lot of fight left in it if we stick to the plan of regaining them. If activists and politicians within the party get on with the job of opposition and stand behind the party, the noise Reform is making will not matter.
We must remind ourselves why we are not just conservatives, but why we stay loyal to the Conservative Party. It is because we know our values are synonymous with the blue rosette. Liberty, free enterprise, the rule of law, fiscal prudence, and reduced government, these are the values of the Conservative & Unionist Party, to which I know we can return.
Image: Leader of the Conservatives Kemi Badenoch visits a Luxury Car Dealership – Christine Quarmyne / CCHQ
We may have forgotten to fully embody these values during periods of government, but with the leadership of Kemi Badenoch and the programme of renewal she has put in motion, I have every confidence that by the next general election, the Conservatives will be a sensible choice for the electorate to consider. The issue the party has is not one of substance, as a clear policy plan is being rolled out, but instead one of conviction.
Badenoch stood for the Tory leadership with a clear promise to renew the party, and I believe she is doing just that. By being a fierce opposition to Labour’s damaging time in office, the public will see that the Conservatives are back to serving them.
There is a simple home truth we must address before this happens: the British people do not want politicians who are caught up in trivial debacles over what colour rosette to sport; they want serious legislators who will stand up for their interests.
It is my honest belief that most of those who defected wanted to stay in the party, which many of them have supported their whole lives, but have had a seed planted by Reform UK claiming that they are the way forward. After such a heavy election defeat, it is to be expected that those who put so much time into the party are frustrated; however, we must not forget why we served the party in the first instance.
There is certainly an element of self-interest in many of these defections. However, most are decent people who have been caught in two minds as they simply want to represent a party that aligns with their values, something we should expect from those voting on our laws.
Image: GB News hosts a husting with Conservative Leadership Candidates – Edward Massey / CCHQ
However, there comes a point where the lingering noise of further defections does as much harm as the defections themselves. If the public sees that Tory candidates have spent the last parliament caught in a limbo over which colour rosette they are going to wear, they will instantly doubt that candidate’s ability.
For substance to prevail in our messaging to the British people, we must be a united Conservative Party. This applies from volunteers at local associations up to sitting MPs. Without conviction in what we stand for, there is little point in a political party. By the next election, we must have a story to tell of how we renewed the party and stood behind it every step of the way, not that half of our candidates considered jumping ship.
We must stick behind the new leadership and the renewed party being created, returning to our roots of economic competence and free enterprise to deliver for the British people. It is a united and renewed Conservative Party, with its activists and candidates behind it, that will show the public why we are the best choice to stand up for their interests.
Featured Image via Christine Quarmyne / CCHQ