Firstly, I must apologise for the radio silence during the last two days. I have been deep in thought, considering where my political future lies. I have decided my future lies in the Conservative Party. I will explain why.
I have received many messages over the last 48 hours, but one person has stood out. Man in a Shed - who I found out tonight, whilst talking to him on the telephone - does not really live in a shed, convinced me to stay in the party. He understands where I am coming from and is sympathetic to my viewpoint. Others - and I still thank them for their messages - do not understand where I am coming from, and at times I could have easily resigned from the party after hearing from them, even though that was not their intention.
I am playing the long game. It may take many years to convince our political leaders there should be a referendum on our membership of the EU and it will take time to ensure the British people are convinced too, but when that time happens I will make sure I am at the forefront of a referendum campaign to say 'YES' we want Britain out of the European Union.
In the meantime, Britain will be much better off under a Conservative government. It is the Conservative Party that will have to sort out the mess 13 years of a Labour government has given us. I have been on a journey these past two days. I have not changed my mind about the EU, but I know the only chance of ever having change is under a Conservative government.
4 comments:
I'll email. Don't forget I suggested you stay in and that's all that's being suggested. The alliance is to ensure the maximum amount of Euroscepticism possible after the GE.
If it helps my local Tory MP is of the same view point as you and I know he has been challenging the party line for some time now.
Andrew, with the utmost respect, as a personal friend, forgive this post. It is no easier for me.
You've made a hard choice and you're right in one way - good people have to stay in the Tory Party to use its numbers and its finance and its good name (!) to argue for a referendum as and when the time is right - and to bring that time forward.
I think there are still many, probably a large majority, of freedom-loving and traditionalist patriots in the Tory Party - my very best and oldest living friends for example, old comrades, and so on. But they aren't in charge of policy or ministerial appointments, and the will to win office and to do something good for the country in the meantime will force many of them to toe the party line. Perhaps the likes of you and Hannan and all will be at work right from the start, and good luck to you.
But this issue is wider than even the EU's ownership of our country. It is (like many things in politics) a lot about culture. The far Left of the Tory Party is in many ways a powder-blue replica of the nationality-hating, capitalism-opposing, republican, atheist, criminal-releasing official liberal Left.
Mr Cameron's policy has been to move the party leftwards in the hope of stealing Lib Dem and floating votes. If his majority is large and if his backbenchers' majorities are healthy, then he'll be able to say that this was a good idea. And as long as the backbenchers believe that, then you can kiss any referendum, and any Right-wing justice policy, any low taxation economy or public sector reform goodbye. The TRG and their type will not stand for it: fearing chimney sweeps' riots and servants putting poison in the sherry. Good luck staying behind like good Maquisards, but I'm off for unoccupied territory.
Those backbench MPs need to see that a move to the Left is no guarantee of cakes and ale and expenses for life, and large UKIP votes and the threat of more to come would be weapons that that you and your fellow resistantes should be able to wave at, well, the waverers, and offer them something in return for standing up to the Tory Left. That and maybe some unexpected Tory defeats come summertime might concentrate their minds somewhat - and you and yours can make sure they concentrate on the issue of a referendum.
I've canvassed for Maggie in Blackpool, Hull, North Lancashire and Manchester, and were you led by someone like her I'd be right alongside you and my old pals again. But until then, alas, I'll need to help build that Tory-proof voting bloc without which you and your patriotic colleagues will be stuck on your blasted Heath.
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