Conservatism’s future

The battle over the contents of the next Tory election manifesto is under way. Its most visible manifestation is the National Conservative conference taking place in London. Despite the name, this is not a party affair, though it has seen Tory ministers and MPS taking part.

With just 18 months to go to the election, this may not be the ideal time for the party to expose its differences. But recent events, including the removal of two leaders, have made it impossible to disguise the tensions. Last weekend saw the inaugural conference in Bournemouth of the Conservative Democratic Organisation, formed by allies of Boris Johnson critical of the current leadership. They have been on display once again at the Natcon gathering, with Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, challenging those in the party prepared to countenance mass immigration to fill workforce vacancies and grow the economy.

There is no obvious ideological homogeneity on show. Some see the conference as a chance to move the party towards an assertive Christian Democrat model of the German variety. Michael Gove portrayed himself as a social liberal in his contribution. Others are taking the opportunity to vent their frustration with a growing popular sense that nothing is working properly.

A lot is being said against the rise of “wokery”, but Mr Gove was right to say the issues that will determine the election are economic, particularly inflation, and social, notably the NHS. Rishi Sunak has pledged to address these and illegal immigration before he goes to the country. But he faces pressure to set out a more coherent narrative for a Tory future that opens up what used to be called “clear blue water” with opponents.