What do the conservatives stand for?

[thefluffysideofgrey]

I know what Labour are- they're socialists.

The Conservatives however, I couldn't actually tell you what they are.

In this election, it's all about what they aren't. Most people voting for them seem to be actually voting against Labour, not for them if you see what I mean.

I am a paid up member of the Labour Party btw, but definitely not a bot.

Just genuinely trying to see things from the other side. It's always mystified me.

Pretty sure I'll get flamed or half a dozen but worth a try.

Ideologically the conservatives represent a very different form of government to Labour at the moment (personalities aside). Labour is advocating more state control over the country than has been seen here in decades. The conservatives have a more liberal free market economy ideology, much like labour have done for the last 30 years, although what were essentially nuances in difference seemed big at the time. If you’re looking for what they each stand for, then I think you need to look above the current individuals. Also, although labour is clearly socialist, contrary to their claims, very few of their manifesto policies will actually help those in in-work poverty and many will in fact disproportionately benefit people who have no need for them, particularly older voters.

You’re right about people voting more heavily against one thing than in favour of another, I am definitely one of those people

Does the free market exist? I'm of the opinion that it doesn't. Every market system that has ever existed has been regulated or controlled by someone.

Party of small government I can sort of understand though (though I definitely do not agree).

The concept of Brexit is the same, pushing back on what is seen as over-regulation. I also think it comes down to how we have collectively responded to globalisation in recent decades, both in regions and countries. Areas which haven’t benefited have been left behind and that’s where we are seeing the rise of populism. This is where I can’t get on board with what labour want. It feels like they want all the state control that socialism brings but that their objective is to take wealth away from high earners and their employers, without fully redistributing it effectively. I personally don’t think we have anything like the right levels of political infrastructure to make a success of a more heavily state controlled economy and the way that Labour spend what they raise could be disastrous. I am equally worried about the Tory view of Brexit.

The Conservatives stand for small state, low taxation, individual freedom as opposed to authoritarian state control. They believe that the way to create a successful economy is not via top down centralized state control, which was a key feature in all the failed states which have tried this. Boris has also stated that certain criminals should face significant prison sentences. The last Conservativ government did nothing to promote any of this. The Labour Party is an existential threat to all of them

They stand for keeping themselves in power. They stand for maintaining the status quo - keeping the rich rich and the poor poor. That's all.

Capitalism, the free market economy, I'm alright Jack, kill the poor, Colonialism, Slavery

I think this is what had confused me- a party that doesn't believe in government, standing for government.

They don't do anything with state power, because they don't want to.

Interesting!

(Still be keeping the red flag flying however!)

Colonialism, Slavery

Bingo! I call full house!

They’re fascists .

They’re fascists

Er, fascists believe in total state control. Guess which party is advocating massive extension of state power? Before tossing random words, learn their meaning....

There are dafties on both sides, let's face it.

I know what it means - have you read page 48 of the Tory manifesto?

Manifestos really aren't worth the paper they're printed on.

Past behaviour of the individuals in parliament is more telling.

If you know what it means, define it. Which party wants to increase state ownership and state control? Which party believes in ‘equality ‘ above freedom?

I want state control. I grew up on a sink estate, infested with smack rats.

State control cleaned it up in the late nineties. Now it's back but they're spice heads.

Give me state control, please!

Then my point stands. They’ve suspended parliament to suit their needs, they pander to to the elite, raab has openly stated the poor should be in workhouses. Millions of children have been forced into poverty and disabled people are dying. They are for the few.

Manifestos really aren't worth the paper they're printed on

absolutely true, and both sides are going to have a lot of very disappointed voters if they win. Tories because the northern / labour seats which they might win from labour on account of Brexit are likely to be hardest hit by Brexit itself (turkeys / Christmas effect) whilst there is absolutely no way that labour can either get a Brexit with low economic impact (or even Brexit at all) or implement all their policies in less than about three parliaments. They’d spend an absolute fortune just for the sake of it whilst making no meaningful difference to people on the ground (best case scenario, worst is that it costs workers much more) and not following through on the promises they make to win votes (eg Scottish referendum).

@Porridging I think Raab could go, he’s local to me and very unpopular. Not because he’s a Tory, but simply because of how he personally has managed things in the last couple of years and his constituency voted heavily to Remain - there’s a distinct feeling of abandonment even if the overall result was to Leave.

The Conservative party have changed in the last 20 years. Brexit took over. Lightweight MPs were elected and moderate Conservatives have gone. It was the party of business. Cascading wealth down to allow individuals to make choices. They believed the state should provide help to the most deserving but that costs should be controlled. They believe in lower taxation. In the last 40 years the majority of voters actually agreed with this. Tony Blair agreed in parts! So a far left socialist agenda is unlikely to be voted in. No successful country is socialist. We need a compassionate Conservative Government in the centre of politics. We now have too far right and too far left leaving no sensible middle option.

metro.co.uk/2019/12/06/tory-candidate-says-disabled-people-paid-less-dont-understand-money-11280594/?fbclid=IwAR0qUVv74ATbiGmPWfoO_4W1umCzSF3sqVv4KFBbbvvi2gVroc0YAOkMm14