To National Conservatism. Out of the station, past the flotsam of coronation, past the Itsu, past the knot of Steve Bray chouannerie at the door. I have never been protested before and did not take it well. I sulked over my complimentary flapjack. Protest me? Me – whom everyone loves so much? The hall itself was a giant circle, something that smacked ominously of the Frankfurt Parliament of 1848, which debated the finer points of bicameral versus unicameral legislatures as the Prussian army battered in the door.
The comparison didn’t end there. Listening to many of the speeches, you would never have guessed that ‘National Conservatism’, or at least the impression of it, has been the only platform since 2005 to win a large parliamentary majority. As with the ’48ers, a very real popular mandate is ignored. Here as well is the retreat into abstract ideas, which have the distinct advantage of not requiring you to commit to anything.
National Conservatism has won a general election, but most of the speakers still wanted to drag everything back to its protean stage. We were not offered a manifesto, still less a plan of action – but a statement of first principles. The more anemic these were, the more the speaker would assure us that terrible punishment was about to be visited on them for daring to say it: “I can already hear the howls of rage from the Guardian when I say that Individuals rely on Institutions.” Not that yours truly wasn’t having some jitters of his own. During an intermission I clapped eyes for a pregnant moment with David Aaronovitch, who studied me with cool regard. Reader, I fled.
The emphasis was very much on these abstract ideas, and they came thick and fast. Most speakers had worked out a personal philosophy of their own, and spent the bulk of their remarks explaining it in precise detail. For some it was about Burke, for others it was about Disraeli, or Oakeshott, or Aquinas. For some it was all about robots, or Catholicism, or how most modern jobs are boring.
Like all pleasures, this kind of introspection is highly addictive. It’s a form of personal branding. But it is a substitute for politics. If you are fine-tuning whether you are a Macmillanite post-work Paternalist with a dash of Social Catholicism, or actually an anti-transhumanist Oxford Movement techno-Anglican with Jacobite characteristics, then you can safely ignore the boring tasks of popular platforms, coalitions, and organisation. Since what we have are dueling brands rather than dueling tactics or ideas, then others can be criticised on aesthetic grounds. These are the politics of a court, not a mass movement. They are perfectly suited to our post-democratic age, in which the quietism of personal philosophy has replaced collective effort in the real world.
A movement that gets lost in these historical, antiquarian, and abstract tidbits is not serious about exercising power. Take the Boris Johnson Government. It was elected to carry out a list of reforms: leave the European Union; control immigration; lower taxation; reduce the cost of energy. Immediately, there were the usual demands for big ideas, for a philosophy of Johnsonism. We all know the shibboleths that then took hold, and how the reforming potential of the Boris Government was wasted on the semantic disputes over them. Is it ‘Red Wall’ to lower taxes? Is it Burkean to privatise Channel 4? Is it pro-‘State Capacity’ to tame the civil service? Policies were seldom discussed on their own merits, but were instead checked against these deeply tedious political philosophies that no one had actually voted for. In politics, as in our own lives, the fantasy that identity determines action causes us to never take any kind of action at all. This idea of politics terminates in the person of Rory Stewart, who uses rhetoric identical to the National Conservatives as an apology for the status quo. The Supreme Court can’t be abolished, because that wouldn’t be ‘pro-institutions’, which all good conservatives surely are.
Those who want to capture power and use it will let the dead bury their dead, and put together a popular platform that offers to transform the lives of ordinary people. There were certainly twitches of this. Some of the speakers did lead with actual policies. From the audience, the biggest claps were for shale fracking and low immigration, not paeans to Aquinas.
To my mind, this was the real divide within National Conservatism – not, as the organisers seemed to insist, between Peelite free trade and Disraelian protection. Those who wanted to carry out the demagogic mandate of 2019 did an implicit battle against those who were content to keep it all as a kind of lifestyle choice. Chief among the latter was Tim Stanley, whose entire speech centered on a tweedy low Waughism, and its political implications. Tim “worried” that we had failed to remember that he was a Catholic, and that this had caused us to speak too harshly about illegal immigration. For his part, David Goodhardt informed us that the House of Windsor could be used to smooth over mass migration – I was unsure whether this was meant as a consolation or as a threat.
What struck me while listening to many of the speeches was how much less compelling this all was than the most pedestrian Thatcherism. Margaret Thatcher’s liberal reforms made Britain rich enough to eventually leave the EU; the sole fruit of modern Burkeanism has been more public money to seedy foundations (aka the Big Society).
Later, during the eighth violent denunciation of the ‘seventeenth-century liberal subject’ I was struck by something else, something more elemental – even animalistic. This was a memory of the announcement by Boris Johnson in 2020 that the imperial pint of champagne, long banned, would come back. To me, this is worth more than all the writings of Michael Oakeshott. In itself it carries a radical aesthetic challenge to Blairite society. A lifestyle challenge. A culinary challenge. Phrases like these have the power to suggest a whole new way of life; this is what the people of Britain want, and this is what National Conservatism must try to offer. “Build the wall” was one. Here is another: Huge six-bedroom newbuilds in Lambeth for young professionals. Here’s another: liquidate the charities sector, the Church of England, the Quangos, and foreign aid, and disperse the assets among the people. Here are two more: abolish the Scottish and Welsh parliaments; cheap energy from oil and shale. (If you want young people to join, offer to let them carry out this program for you). Britain has a nascent movement for reform. It has already won an election. What it badly needs now is not a theoretical grounding, but its own ‘Bread, Peace, Land’.
Stop Press: For a robust expression of the ‘Peelite Free Trade’ wing of the National Conservatism movement, see this speech by Dan Hannan.
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Yes pricing is an issue, but also Machete wielding lunatics trying to chop everyone’s heads off probably play a role too.
” tourist numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels”
What pandemic was this? I remember lockdowns and other restrictions on normal life, imposed by our and other governments and I remember being told there was a “pandemic” but I never saw or read any compelling evidence pointing to it being real – just stuff about “cases” and “deaths” based on a “test”, none of which were meaningful or properly defined. Just after “lockdowns” were declared, an unusual number of mainly old people died in a short space of time, but the reasons for this could be various and not necessarily “covid”.
“Just after “lockdowns” were declared, an unusual number of mainly old people died in a short space of time, but the reasons for this could be various and not necessarily “covid”.”
Come on tof, stop being cutesy – Midazolam Mat.
Certainly the most likely explanation along with general denial of care/drop in care standards.
Exactly that!
Cheers Ron.
Never Forget, Never Forgive.
Given Kneel’s wholehearted commitment to utterly destroy our country I am sure he and Robber Reeves will be delighted with this news. Sadly, the collapse in our hospitality standards and inexorably rising prices has done nothing to deter the Calais Yatch Club arrivals. Whoops…but they only come to TAKE not give. Silly me.
Realistically though why would anyone want to visit this country? Everywhere we go, every town and city is full of non Brits wandering about jabbering away in anything but English and wearing pyjamas while their women have their faces covered for some obscure reason not linked to the C1984.
Anyway, more WEF browny points for Starmer Feuhrer.
They are probably just using the main cities as an airport Hub. I used Birmingham Airport and got straight out of there once I got to my car!
The internet means that a Country’s problems are now fully on display for any would be tourists to see. So what do they learn about the UK?
There is permitted violence in the form of the Palestine protests in London, which have resulted in the defacement of some of the national treasures that tourists would choose to see.
The Museums have now fallen under the spell of re-educstion such that great works of art are either no longer available to be seen, or the visitor is told that they need to be aware that they might be “triggered” by what they see. In addition there is always the possibility that a JSO, Extinction rebellion member will throw dye over them, or glue themselves to the picture.
Then there is the knife crime, the machete incidents, the muggings which are a risk, one example the little Australian girl a tourist with her mother stabbed in Leicester square, how do you think that went down in Australia?
The terrorist offences.
Then there is the general standard of filth in our Cities London stinks of weed, in Tottenham court road human excrement littered the pavement, and tents in various side streets with visibly drunk people inside.
Then the cost of things, the cost of a round of drinks in London and in the Cotswolds for 4 people is circa thirty pounds, the cost of a very average meal won’t see you out with less than 50 quid per head, that’s in a pub, and the service is very rarely service, the guest is made to feel more of a distraction from the mobile phone of the server.
Hotel room costs are a joke, its cheaper to stay in a luxury hotel in Asia than it is in a bog standard hotel in London.
Transport unless its the Elizabeth line is filthy and dispiriting, trains elsewhere are likewise cripplingly expensive, overcrowded and again less than clean.
Yes we have some castles, museums, and places like the Palace of Westminster etc, but as with much else in the UK the citizens have been conditioned to feel shame at these places, as representative of our terrible history, that patriotism and pride in your culture is to be abhored, and so these places look neglected, the staff reflect the state of decay and neglect.
In summary the country to the outsider is dirty, crime ridden, unsafe, expensive and in a state of collapse. Why would you choose to risk a holiday here.
Depressingly well put. I have avoided any cities for years now, but I will not go anywhere near London exactly because of the reasons in your comments. I would have loved to take my grandchildren to visit all the places I took my children, to show them the treasures of our country but it has all been debased and I will not put their safety at risk to even travel on public transport.
I must say not everywhere is tainted by the Globalists (yet at least). Was walking around Hereford the other day, with it being a nice day there was a generally good atmosphere. Events outside of the amusements of kids etc, I used to live there so it was normal for there. But while walking through the back of my mind was full of the dark news events. End of Rome maybe.
You are very wise to protect them. An acquaintance said that he took his wife and kids to London for the first time last summer, to visit their own capital city, and to show them the world-famous historical sights which his own parents had shown him as a child.
He and his wife were utterly shocked to see so many Third World Immigrants swarming everywhere, with few English people to be seen, along with the general atmosphere of dingy, filthy, menacing decay. He hardly knew how to answer his young son when he asked, “Why are all the men wearing pajamas?”
He said he couldn’t believe this had happened in only a couple of decades, and he would never go back there again, or let his children go even on a school trip there.
Here’s an example of public transport in Sweden:
RadioGenoa on X: “”Get up you old Swedish woman, I must sit down now!” How much longer do we have to endure this? https://t.co/SvD9q53THh” / X
Your description of London sounds like it should be twinned with San Francisco!
Off-T
Another excellent article from Colin Todhunter on how the big corporations are working to take over world food production.
https://www.globalresearch.ca/agrarianism-transhumanism-long-march-dystopia/5865602
Todhunter supplies this quote:
Silvia Guerini says [3]:
“The past becomes something to be erased in order to break the thread that binds us to a history, to a tradition, to a belonging, for the transition towards a new uprooted humanity, without past, without memory… a new humanity dehumanised in its essence, totally in the hands of the manipulators of reality and truth”.
Is this not so obviously what has been happening to this country for at least fifty years and which Kneel and Co are now pushing in to overdrive?
They haven’t won yet, we may be at a metaphorical crossroads.
Just go to the main visitor attractions. Arrival at the aitrports and the journey through Britain are depressing. Service at hotels and restaurants is surly and expensive. Service everywhgere is poor because it is based on minimum wage immigrant labour, in the main.
The National Trust displays its wokery at every opportunity as do museums, theatre and other attractions.
Safety concerns have been circulated around the world and the attitude of the elites and the police is hardly encouraging. Removal of VAT refunds for high spending visitors makes a 20 per cent difference to the disadvantage of London.
Good points. And here is the kind of “London Theatre Experience” on offer, entitled “Death of England”, featuring an Ethnic African complaining about racism, and boasting about impregnating the English sister of his English “best friend”.
Then there’s his angst-ridden English “best friend” deciding to wait until his own English father’s funeral to publicly denounce his dad’s “racism”. Perhaps he will also kneel before the theatre audience.
Then there are the two mothers-in-law: one Ethnic African, one English, and we can guess which one is portrayed as the “victim”, and which one the “villain”.
Tickets for Death of England: The Plays | London Theatre Direct
It really feels like the country is returning to the 1970s sometimes
“It really feels like the country is returning to the 1970s sometimes.”
Or perhaps soon to be the 1470’s.
But the 1970’s where? Bangladesh? Syria? Pakistan? Iraq? Afghanistan? –or maybe all of those?
Which is why I referred to 1470. Feudalism incoming. Or maybe even worse for the survivors.
But the 1970 were also better in many ways.
I don’t remember any of this in the 1970s. “The Winter of Discontent”, all the trade union strikes and IRA Catholic Terrorist atrocities can’t compare with this total Alien Invasion.
I agree with Nigel Farage, when he said that in London in the 1980s, “Life was fun!”
I was thinking that the ‘entertainment’ referred to sounds like the political theatre of an earlier era. The air of general decay and cultural malaise, too. Granted there were grounds for optimism then, which I don’t see today, as you say.
Oh, yes, I see what you mean. I meant that at least the towns, cities, villages and workplaces of the UK were still recognisably English/Welsh/Scots/Northern Irish back then, before Andrew Neather bravely revealed the plan to “rub our noses in diversity”.
“…with accommodation costs up by 35.8%, restaurant prices by 28.7%.”
Wot? Despite all that essential, cheap, enriching, immigrant labour?
Interesting article thanks. Especially the bit on pricing, “The CEBR report says that overall prices in the U.K. for 2024 are expected to be 23.5% higher than in 2019, with accommodation costs up by 35.8%, restaurant prices by 28.7%, and airfares by 47.6%.”
The Fake News tells me that inflation is low…..in the past 10 years some products have gone up 50%… for people from ‘weak currency’ countries, the UK is increasingly unaffordable to visit. Rona, Net-tard zero, massive immigration, etc etc to blame. But I am sure the BBC will find a way to blame ‘Brexit’….
The airport experience both arriving and leaving is uniformly horrendous.
And once you’re here, prices are high quality is let’s say variable.
Destinations such as museums display an unpleasant level of cynical self hate, so why would anybody spend gazillions taking their kids there.
The weather and the traffic are hideous, and our cities, where most tourists would go are run by metropolitan councils whose main concern seems to be to make a misery for all. Parking impossible, boarded up shops, and a lack of care and maintenance.
Pubs closing, idiotic petty rules everywhere…I’m amazed anybody still wants to visit.
Here’s a rare cheerful snippet from Germany, showing Ethnic Europeans at their best:
Klaus Arminius on X: “A Scotsman lost his iPhone and these Germans found it, they took a selfie and hand it over to the police. Normally phones that are lost are found in Morocco, Algeria or some African country. https://t.co/viwJijNIwH” / X
Let’s see if I lived in Alabama would I want to visit London? I realise that crime exists everywhere, but when was Alabama last in the news for Palestinian Marches, Pitched Machete battles in broad daylight, gangs marauding with knives and guns, a multicultural clutter of disparate groups not integrating, sex crimes and women not feeling safe etc etc etc? ——-Oh but maybe they will feel safe that people are being arrested for being offensive on their laptop
Nothing to do with our shocking summer weather then ?
Britain has certainly lost its attractiveness: overcrowded, expensive and most of the big cities seem to have picked up a certain shabby, slightly menacing atmosphere. I can’t put my finger on what it is, it’s just something that makes you feel uncomfortable.
I have to say though that I had the same feelings in Paris as well the last time I was there.
“most of the big cities seem to have picked up a certain shabby, slightly menacing atmosphere.”
I agree. And the towns in the North West are similarly afflicted.
Britain is also becoming an economically and socially failing state. The unfettered immigration is changing our country into nowhere land. No one wants to go to nowhere.
Except for thrill-seeking tourists from North Africa who pay thousands for the excitement of a trip across the Channel from France by giant inflatable ferries.
Sadly, they can only afford a one-way ticket but not a problem as the inflatables only go one-way.
But what the hell. A holiday is a holiday and it is a holiday of a lifetime or indeed some hope for a lifetime [and not just Christmas, although it seems most don’t celebrate Christian festivals].
Oops – am I going to get banged up in chokey for a couple of years for those remarks?
“Visit Britain ….. the roads are appalling; the trains are expensive and frequently on strike; town centres look like a wasteland; eating-out costs a fortune; the weather’s unpredictable, but usually bad and to top it up, in London and other cities there’s a very good chance you’ll be robbed or stabbed.”
I wouldn’t want to visit London, or a great many other places. It’s OK down here in the west country, which is mostly still recognisably England, but I wouldn’t go anywhere near Bournemouth which is rapidly sliding down into the multi-culti hellhole which has already ruined so many other cities, or Bristol.
It seems not even London’s Mayor likes London.
He feels unsafe here.
And that is despite travelling around in a bomb-proof armoured car with armed close protection.
And it is his job to make sure we all feel safe.
I wonder how he will spin that achievement on his CV?
He claims he does not feel safe as muslim in London.
I am not sure why with all the rate-payer’s money spent on his security.
And that is necessary not because of his religion [which I understand he does not observe nor practice] but because he is so unpopular as a politician with downright crooked ULEZ money-making scheme and other policies so unfair to poor working class white and other peoples.
However, judging by the machete and knife-wielding muslim rioters who have free rein in Birmingham he should resign and stand as Mayor of that great British city safe in the knowledge that his muslim brethren are there to keep him safe from the Far White rioters.
NB ‘Far White’ is not a typographical error. It is not an error at all.
Starmer must really clamp down on the Far White. There are far too many of them, making up about 80% of the population.
They should go back to where they came from.
Erm, what do you mean – they come from here? Are you sure?
I was born in London and worked in the CoL until we moved away over 40 years ago – from what is happening nowadays it was a good move!