Roger Scruton

Even if you had never read anything by Roger Scruton anyone with half a brain and some knowledge of the writer’s works would have realised that there was something extremely fishy about the racist, homophobic, islamophobia, and the you-name-it sanctimonious outrage served up by George Eaton of the New Statesman. Nevertheless, Conservatives including Tugendhat, Mercer, Osborne, Finkelstein and Brokenshire immediately condemned him. It now turns out, from a transcription of the interview, that Scruton’s words were twisted manipulated and selectively edited beyond belief.

Unfortunately, Twittersphere vigilantism and bandwagon condemnation by vote crazed politicians are distressing symptoms of the decay of our country and long-standing values of decency and fair play.  It is, therefore, doubly distressing to reflect that few Conservative politicians appear to have troubled to read Sir Roger’s excellent companion to life, “How to be a Conservative.” Equally useful would be a study of “Where We Are: The State of Britain Now.”  Both should be set books for the forthcoming Conservative leadership exam.

Sir Roger could also help with reasoned responses to the passing environment bandwagon. “Green Philosophy: How to Think Seriously About the Planet,” is an excellent starting point.  Instead of being photographed (or not) looking awestruck by the vacuous hyperbole of a teenage truant, politicians and, of course, the BBC could have exposed the complexity of the issues and what should be a Conservative bottom up response.

I have read and often re-consult all three books above – they are readable, stimulating and compelling. I admit, however, only modest progress with the same author’s “Modern Philosophy: An Introduction and Survey,” the completion of which I am finding a great intellectual challenge. But that, surely, is the point? We need lots of Sir Rogers, free to speak the truth, to help us come to terms with current issues. Which leads me back to Messrs Tugendhat, Mercer, Osborne, Finkelstein and Brokenshire upon whose cerebral contents I shall not speculate further.