Tories are in politics to protect the power of the wealthy

THE Conservative Party came into being to protect the power of the landed, the wealthy and the privileged and to resist reforms deemed likely to undermine that power. Their name is the clue to their purpose. Their amazing ability to dominate British politics to this day has been achieved via the influence of the Press Barons whose brief is to persuade enough people outside the true Tory Circle of Concern to vote Tory against their own interests.

With the main exception of Disraeli - who, at a time of social unrest, introduced limited housing, factory and suffrage reform despite the opposition of the Tory Right - the Party has resisted all radical, modernising measures and continues to do so. This distorts our culture and economy.

Financial support for the Tory Party by vested interests ensures building land is not developed speedily enough for reasons of profit and that the green belt is under threat (construction lobby); ensures that money is wasted on prestige projects like Trident and aircraft carriers - without aircraft (arms lobby); and ensures that the NHS is slowly undermined by private interests with profit motives - as happened with transport.

Its willingness to listen - for financial support - to the junk food lobby and alcohol lobby undermines efforts to combat obesity and liver disease.....etc, etc, etc.

This is why the Tory Party is an anachronism. Its power paralyses Britain and prevents it from addressing iniquities in income, housing, education, health and environment - built and natural.

Only a terrible crisis can shock a somnolent nation into getting rid of this Incubus.

Brexit may well become the necessary instrument - and it would be an irony indeed if the Tory anti-EU faction should prove to be instrumental in the undoing of that parasitical creature. The emergence of a modern Britain, if the ballot box is incapable of bringing it about, might well prove very painful indeed. John Payne