What is Conservatism?

Yesterday, puzzled by the constant expressions of dissatisfaction with the current Conservative leadership both in the press and, even more, on major Conservative blogs, I asked that most articulate of Conservatives to explain:

'When you have a moment would you say what it is that Conservatives want? You might miss out the bit about the 11 plus, but what is the wingeing about Mr Cameron? And why is the media so anti too?

What status quo is he disturbing?'

Newmania said...

'Conservative Party members do you mean? They want immigration controlled , distance from the EU. lower taxes , reformed public services and benefits especially, and less state interference; less red tape , more prisons and harsher sentences, a special position for the family , parliament to be parliament. No regional government , English votes ( but not the break up of the Union usually ). Sub themes are support for small and local business , conservation generally of art , cultural memory , continuity ( eg history properly taught in schools) Parks. Buildings and the fabric of the country in innumerable ways [conserved]. The de-politicisation of the Police and its urgent reform ( possibly by a local accountable sherrif).
The return of [an] individual being responsible for his actions in a variety of ways. On foreign policy there is far less distinctive [positioning?] than say the Liberals who define themselves abroad( and are full of it .... few of them turned up at Hull with their bum bags to help). Its not coherent in the way Marxism is and the picture changes . In the Party Cameron is widely adored , the vocal minority and especially bloggers are misrepresentative. The Party as a whole is more (c)onservative and less libertarian.

On the media you mean the BBC ?, well there is good book out called "Can we trust the BBC" by Robin Aitken and it charts the shift of policy towards Independent style editorialising.

Put simply the BBC is a highly conservative and elitist organisation that defaults to the orthodoxies of the 60s and 70s.The vast majority of its perspective Oxbridge intake are of a certain political complexion . They are quick to report such systematic bias in the Police but , of course , blind to their own equally damaging Liberal agenda. Its subtle , to do with choice handling and presentation but enveloping nonetheless ( Europe is the fault line)

On the status quo he is disturbing, another time.'

This very social response, it might be understood as attitude of mind and the centrality of individual response and responsibility in political interaction , rather than the aggressively authoritarian social and economic policing offered by Labour, is light years away from the caricatures of conservatism offered, indeed, by the BBC.

To many who are not members of any political party, it is intensely attractive in seeking the private enjoyment of everyday life in a serene environment. The low-key , united vision of domestic and foreign policies reflects this aim of being on good terms with everyone but of having an established and, for us, culturally satisfying ways of conducting public affairs.

Riding hobby horses so furiously that the very conservative approach of pulling together to not just achieve a goal, but enact a way of living, is a betrayal of conservatism itself.

So who's applecart does this view of political conduct upset (apart from Labour?)