Tory revival depends on bold new ideas
There was much that was wrong with last week’s reshuffle, but the overriding problem was simple. It wasn’t motivated by ideas. Some of the new faces are talented additions to Theresa May’s team, but what exactly were they appointed to do? After an attempt to move her sideways out of Education, Justine Greening resigned; Damian Hinds took her place. This spat might have been worthwhile if Mr Hinds, who seems a promising appointment, was associated with a bold new education policy that will win the Tories the next election. But he is not as far as we yet know. Rather than starting the year with a fresh agenda, the Conservatives have given the impression of rearranging the deck chairs.
Renewal is needed from the bottom up. Party membership stood at around one million in 1990; today it could be as low as 70,000. The idea that there is no interest in mass-member party politics is belied by Labour, which boasts about 570,000 supporters. Labour has been revived by ideology but also technology. In an interview with this newspaper, the new Tory chairman, Brandon Lewis, says it is time to challenge the Left’s domination of social media. He is absolutely right. Labour supporters have captured Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. They push Left-wing memes; their arguments are met by a chorus of agreement. Vast numbers of non-socialists use social media, too, but they can feel outnumbered and scared to speak up. The Tories must fight back. They should go to Silicon Valley, hire the brightest and the best, professionalise their team and expand online. The Tories need some YouTube stars.
They also need to stick to their guns. Labour is flourishing in part because people are more likely to join a party if they know what it stands for. The Tories have watered down their philosophy and, in recent times, even bashed their own supporters. The Conservatives once attracted huge numbers in part because membership was associated with aspiration and community – and they should aim to do the same today. A government powered by truly life-changing ideas would mean a Tory party with a larger, more motivated membership that could beat the Left both online and on the doorstep.