Many Conservatives can’t understand why Conservatism doesn’t have a wider appeal. At the first meeting of the Blue Collar Conservative group Esther McVey MP explained that the working class code was compatible with Conservative ideology. You live within your means. You can’t spend what you don’t have. People should get back what they put in. John Stevenson, MP for the marginal seat of Carlisle, observed that for his constituents the three most issues were jobs, jobs, jobs, followed by public services. Public services have a major impact on the quality of the Coronation Street family’s life and their children’s future. The Conservative side of the Coalition Government is obsessed about making sure the UK can do the jobs needed in the globalised world. They also believe that public services need to be reorganised to save them. So, why doesn’t the average Briton believe that the Conservatives are on their side?
We need to stop talking about Margaret. It doesn’t help win the common vote. Those who loved Thatcher are unhappy that there isn’t a clone in charge, those who hated her transfer this feeling onto every other Conservative, and those who don’t care wonder why we harp on about the past.
The problem for the Tories is that the disgruntlement goes beyond party definitions. The Hansard Society’s audit on political engagement found that only 41% say they will definitely to vote in 2015. Only 20% of people can name their MP. There is perceived to be a chasm between the world political class inhabit and everyone’s everyday experiences. There is no point in joining one of the established parties. It would only give legitimacy to the buggers. Anyway, how would you explain it to the neighbours? The shame.
John and Joanne Doe are concerned about the present, disgruntled about what the future offers and despondent because no political party is fighting for them. Government is impotent when tackling the rising cost of living. Bankers keep enjoying their riches, even though the country is struggling because we had to pay for their recklessness. Bosses of the utility cartels raise prices on essential commodities to ensure their bonuses. Fixing the market only leads to a slap on the wrists. Social mobility has been downgraded from a reality to an aspiration. “Politicians” – those guys in Westminster who were caught wringing out every possible pound out of the expenses system – can’t offer justice. Rather than all of us being in it together some are more in it than others.
Now for the good news. As Lord Young might put it, every crisis presents an opportunity. If the Conservative Party shows itself to be best equipped to deal with the wide spread disgruntlement it can win voters. There is a strong cost-of-living caucus amongst the 2010 intake. Examples include Robert Halfon’s campaign on fairer petrol prices, Laura Sandy’s work on food prices, Dominic Raab’s push to lower energy bills and Matthew Hancock’s promotion of apprenticeships. (It is also worth noting Boris Johnson’s support for the Living Wage.) These are Conservative backbenchers who put pressure on the Government in a good way, campaigning on issues that resonate with workers’ everyday struggles.
Blue Collar voters will give the Conservative’s a hearing if they see us campaigning for them. To do this we need to tackle today’s vested interests. CCHQ needs to organise in the way those who are interested in politics do. Nationalising the message doesn’t work. Common Conservatism needs to come from these communities.
