Tories Lurch to the Right, Conceding Shift on Europe, Welfare, Education, and Immigration

Strategic Insights -

The Conservative Party has been tilting towards the right on key issues such as Europe, welfare, education, and immigration, sparking concerns among moderate members. The shift in policy direction was unveiled at the party conference, where Defence Secretary Michael Portillo made a tub-thumping speech that whipped up nationalist sentiment. Labour has seized upon the change, launching a campaign to expose the party's movement to the right.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Conservatives have shifted towards the right on policies such as Europe, welfare, education, and immigration over the last 12 months.
  • Defence Secretary Michael Portillo's speech at the party conference in October was seen as a turning point, whipping up nationalist sentiment.
  • The party's policy changes include resisting moves towards a European defence policy, opposing a single European army, and tightening restrictions on asylum-seekers.
  • Education policy has become more radical, with the introduction of nursery vouchers, self-governing schools, and a doubling of the assisted places scheme.
  • The Government has announced new restrictions on benefits for asylum-seekers, smart cards to combat fraud, and increased flexibility for businesses to withhold statutory sick pay.
  • The party's shift away from moderate policies has exposed divisions between Tory right and left, prompting concerns among former leftwing colleagues.

Statistics:

  • The welfare state costs over £90 billion per year.
  • Only four schools initially opted to participate in a pilot test of nursery vouchers.
  • The new student loans scheme was met with skepticism from banks, who stated it would not work.
  • The Family Homes and Domestic Violence Bill was shelved after being blocked by nine rightwing backbenchers.

Sources:

  • "The Times" (exact date not provided)
  • BBC Radio (exact date not provided)
  • The Conservative Party's 1991 party conference speech by Michael Portillo
  • Labour's campaign against the Conservative Party's shift to the right (exact date not provided)