Why Won't They Listen to People Like Me?

Sunday, so it's time for my weekly fix of Janet Daley.

In her article in the Sunday Telegraph, today, she is right in tune with my feelings about the modern Conservative party - why are my deeply held views apparently so unimportant?  For example, I do not agree with gay marriage and never will.  I am told, by the likes of Hammond, that I must "move on." I believe that defence of the realm is the first duty of Government  but I look on in horror as SDSR, takes shape behind closed doors and without public consideration of independent academic and professional opinion.  I feel isolated and since I don't belong to the mainstream, I feel that I have been branded extreme and that my opinions are unworthy.  Janet Daley observes, "trampling over the interests of non-conforming minorities is not democracy, it is mob rule."  If the rise of UKIP and the SNP is anything to go by, it is more than lip service that will be required to turn the tide.  Indeed as cosy and traditional two-party politics looks set to be upset by the rise of smaller parties representing special interests, it is time for David Cameron to say what he means and do what he says.  In particular, does he want the votes of people like me or not?

Appalling Demand - Action 1

I am grateful to my friend in Northumberland for the suggestion that we should just refuse to pay.  This campaign for civil disobedience should be linked to a demand for immediate negotiation for substantial reform in key areas.  Thinking about it, what have we got to lose and who would blink first?

Addendum:

The European Commission President, Jean Claude Juncker, told Mr Cameron to " show some political courage."  Quite!

That "Appalling" Demand

The "unexpected" demand for an extra 2 Billion Euros has certainly caught the attention but is it a threat to the Conservatives or an opportunity?  So far, it seems, the BBC and Channel 4 have defined success as how much of the bill David Cameron can claw back.  In other words, he is on a hiding to nothing.  Labour say, smugly, that he should have seen it coming.  UKIP, on the other hand, can rightly claim, that only a European exit can stop this nonsense in the future.  Meantime, they will be the beneficiaries of the public indignation, it will propel them to victory in the forthcoming by-election and who knows where in the General Election - certainly far enough to undermine and remaining Conservative hope of being the largest party.  Against this tide, for it seems inexorable, it would vain to argue.  What is needed, urgently, is a game-changing policy initiative that, in the short term, shoots the UKIP fox and, longer term, provides the reassurance that Conservatives are the safe pair of hands when it comes to Europe.  Easier said than done, I think, but what should we do?  The longer we sit on our hands, the greater the political momentum that UKIP will acquire.

Introduction

Since its re-launch in January 2011, The Conservative Policy Forum  (CPF) has contributed to the debate about Conservative policy.  The formal organisation and process has been wound up and there appears no obvious route for ordinary voters to get there voice heard where it matters.

Selby & Ainsty with Elmet & Rothwell has been running since the CPF began.  We have achieved a 100% submission record, culminating in winning the Director's Award for Excellence for our contribution to the Local Government discussion.  Notwithstanding the National decision, our Group feels strongly and enthusiastically that we still have a contribution to make to the Party policy process and, of course, a Conservative victory in next year's election.

We want to continue to speak our mind and we have resolved to maintain a diary of our opinions which we shall represent to our MPs and other policy makers through whatever effective channels are available.

This Blog, "Yorkshire Mushroom"  is just such a channel.  It is the collection point for our opinions from which we intend to distil into pithy and direct communication on all issues, however controversial or inconvenient.  It is, we hope, the antidote to the "Westminster Bubble!"