Conservative party unease grows as young rebel MPs take on coalition

Frustrated by governing with the Liberal Democrats, new MPs seek to take a stand for ‘true Tory policies’ Unhappy at having to govern with the Liberal Democrats? Frustrated at the lack of opportunities for promotion? Miffed at not having the ear of No 10? All are symptoms of a malaise among young Tory MPs disappointed by their life as backbenchers in a coalition. Such is the frustration that some ambitious MPs are launching an intellectual fightback during the annual conference against what they see as the stultifying conformity of parliamentary life. Inside No 10, there is suspicion about what the young guns are up to. In the Tory whips’ office, there is unease. Amid high secrecy, the MPs have written their own “true Tory” manifestos, to be unveiled at the Conservatives’ annual gathering in Manchester in October. “I was amazed by the lack of intellectual debate in the party after the election,” said one of those involved, insisting that the intention was merely to stimulate debate and help the party reassert an identity. “What is the point of being an MP if you can’t put forward ideas?” asked another. Tory blogger and managing director of BiteBack publishing Iain Dale said a burst of forthcoming books by Tory MPs was evidence of a feeling among young Conservatives that debate must begin now about life after the election and after the Lib Dems. “There is growing realisation across all sections of the party that they need to start thinking about these issues,” Dale said. “There is a feeling that they need to put a flag in the sand and say, ‘Thus far and no further.’” In time for the conference, Dale is publishing a volume by five up-and-coming Tory backbenchers who entered parliament last year. None is particularly rebellious and they are described as being broadly Thatcherite with the potential to be cabinet ministers. The book, which is the talk of the parliamentary party, is entitled After the Coalition, and is described by those involved as “a ressertion of Tory policy updated for the 21st century”. The five, who are refusing to reveal much in advance having agreed a newspaper serialisation, are Elizabeth Truss, Kwasi Kwarteng, Chris Skidmore, Priti Patel and Dominic Raab. “There are probably a total of 30 Tory MPs with cabinet potential in the new intake,” said Dale. “It is a very, very talented group and they want to get on.” Two other prominent backbenchers from the 2011 intake – Charlie Elphicke and Brandon Lewis – had been expected to take part too but, say colleagues, will not now do so in a sign, perhaps, that the initiative is frowned upon by the party’s high command. After the Coalition is not the only potential headache for the keepers of party discipline. A second Exocet missile – to be launched at the conference by ConservativeHome, a website for Tory activists that is not afraid to criticise David Cameron – will be fired off by David Davis. He is putting together a book with contributions from some 25 mainly rightwing Tory MPs, including new intakers Richard Drax, Therese Coffey and Steve Baker. The two books are likely to advance strongly eurosceptic agendas and suggest a fundamental rethink of the UK’s relationship with the EU. They are also expected to push for a lower-tax economy, advance new ideas on wealth creation and combine a commitment to civil liberties with radical ideas on immigration, criminal justice and the future of public services, including the NHS. Then there is another work, which Dale promises will have some “thought- provoking ideas”, entitled Masters of Nothing: The Crash and How It Will Happen Again Unless We Understand Human Nature , by two other up-and-coming Tories, Matthew Hancock and Nadhim Zahawi. In a forestaste of all this, Kwarteng publishes his vision for transport policy this week. The pre-publicity for Gridlock Nation says: “Britain needs a new revolution in transport – or gridlock will soon bring the country to a halt.” Paul Goodman, a former Tory MP who now writes for ConservativeHome, says many young Tory MPs were lured into the party by Cameron on a promise that they would be listened to and have influence, only to have been left disappointed by a perceived lack of interest and loftiness from No 10. They were demoralised by the government’s shambolic handling of the NHS, by the attempt to sell off forests and by criminal justice policy, and remain infuriated by the priority given to overseas aid while defence spending is cut. Some feel the true Tory party has been lost in coalition and know that their chances of getting a government job are reduced by the need to give positions in any future reshuffles to Lib Dems, to keep Nick Clegg’s party happy. Now, they are beginning to think they have nothing to lose by speaking out. Goodman predicts interesting times: “Putting all this together, there has never been a more difficult time to be a whip.” Conservatives Conservative conference Conservative and Liberal Democrat cabinet Toby Helm guardian.co.uk

Posted by on August 6, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.