Former Conservative MP Dominic Grieve, a strong opponent of Brexit, reflects on his transition from politics to broadcasting. He discusses the lack of representation of his perspective within the conservative party and how his father's experiences in World War II influenced his political views. Grieve also shares his strategies for coping with difficult times in his adolescence and reflects on his journey to becoming a Member of Parliament. He explores the challenges faced by new Conservative MPs in 1997 and discusses the fallout from his departure as Attorney General in 2014. Grieve concludes by expressing concerns about the current state of the parliamentary conservative party.
The shift in the Conservative party created a sense of silence among MPs who share similar views but are unable to voice them.
The generational divide observed during the Brexit referendum highlighted older voters supporting remain and younger voters leaning towards leave.
The speaker's unexpected journey from a legal career to becoming a Member of Parliament and their reflection on missed opportunities in government.
Deep dives
Political challenges within the Conservative party
The podcast episode discusses the speaker's experience within the Conservative party and the challenges they faced as a politician. They mention the shift in the party where certain figures who represented a consensus perspective were no longer given the opportunity to express their views on programs. This change created a sense of silence among conservative MPs who share similar views, but are unable to voice them.
Influence of family background and generational differences
The speaker reflects on their family background and how it influenced their outlook on politics. They mention the difference between generations that grew up before and after the Second World War and how it shaped their perspectives. The speaker also discusses the impact of their father's service in the Second World War and the importance of building links with European partners for Britain's future. They note the generational divide observed during the Brexit referendum, with older voters tending to support remain and younger voters leaning towards leave.
Career trajectory and unexpected political journey
The speaker shares their career journey, from studying at Oxford University to pursuing a career as a barrister. They initially intended to focus on their legal career, but unexpected opportunities in politics arose, leading them to be elected as a local council member and eventually becoming a Member of Parliament for Beaconsfield. They also discuss their time as Attorney General and their surprise dismissal by David Cameron, which they reflect on as a missed opportunity to further contribute to government.
Chaos and Dysfunctionality After the 1997 Election
After the 1997 election, the Conservative Party was in a state of chaos and dysfunctionality. The defeat led to a sense of circling the drain, and with only 152 conservative MPs remaining, there was a feeling of despair among colleagues. It took William Hague about nine to twelve months to restore a sense of purpose to the party. During this time, the speaker found themselves niched in home office and criminal justice issues, developing a reputation as a constitutional and legal affairs spokesman.
Reflections on Prime Ministerial Ambitions and Becoming Attorney General
While having ambitions for office, the speaker did not aspire to be Prime Minister. They saw their role as that of a senior cabinet minister, offering counsel to the leader. In 2010, the unexpected victory for the Conservative Party led to a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats. Surprisingly, the speaker was appointed as Attorney General, initially worried about the nature of the role. However, after three months, they realized the privilege of the position and the opportunity to grapple with complex issues, providing objective advice to the government and gaining a deeper understanding of the workings of the Whitehall machine.
Former Conservative MP Dominic Grieve never set out to be a rebel. In his words, he was a member of the establishment. He was president of the Oxford University Conservative Association and before being elected to parliament, he was a QC. He served in David Cameron’s government as Attorney General, but as the EU referendum loomed, he became increasingly vocal in his opposition against Brexit. He opposed Theresa May’s withdrawal deal three times and in 2019, he was one of 21 Tory MPs who had the whip withdrawn over their opposition to a no-deal Brexit. Was this how he thought his parliamentary career would end?
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