Death of a giant?

THE Tory party, like it or not, has been a constant stabilising factor for most of our history. “Don’t fix it if it’s not broke,” being a guiding principle throughout its political life, making it the most electorally successful and longestsurviving party in the UK.

Its modern incarnation can be dated back to Disraeli, whilst some historians trace its foundation back to the English Civil War, when Charles I raised his standard at Nottingham on August 22, 1642.

It’s by-word was “loyalty”. By any standards, it is part of the UK’s fixtures and fittings, but maybe not for much longer.

The Tory government is in shreds. In the words of Mike Myers’s character, Austin Powers, it has “lost its mojo”. All totally self-inflicted. The rot started years ago. Under John Major it divided into two camps over the EU Maastricht Treaty, a division that carried on throughout Brexit.

Tory MPs threw loyalty out the window and chucked Boris out, to whom they owed their seats. A host of relative minnows then battled to succeed him.

Liz Truss emerged with all the right Tory instincts, such as tax cutting, prudent spending and enterprise creation, but with no understanding of how to sell the idea. The result? Guaranteed victory for Labour at the next election, with only more spending, more debt, higher taxes and consequent UK decline in prospect.

Her MPs’ reaction? Plot against her from day one. Result? Not just Tory defeat, but a potential wipeout. It’s like watching a bunch of lemmings throw themselves off the cliff.

As a former Tory MP and Parliamentary Whip, I am in despair. Whatever you think about the party I devoted a large part of my life to, I can guarantee one thing: the UK would be a lesser place without it.