Matt Goodwin, a Professor of Politics and author of Values, Voice & Virtue, joins for a deep dive into the turbulence of British politics. He explores the crisis within the Conservative Party and the ideological shifts affecting its future. The conversation critiques the rise of national conservatism as a response to 'woke' culture and discusses growing public disillusionment, even sparking thoughts of emigration among citizens. Goodwin draws parallels between today's challenges and those of the 1970s, emphasizing the need for political transformation.
The disintegration of the Conservative Party highlights its struggle to define its values and connect with the country.
The purging of dissenting voices and the erosion of free speech raise concerns about the stifling of nuanced conversations and alternative viewpoints.
The need for a new national conservatism movement that addresses immigration, national identity, manufacturing, power redistribution, and pro-family policies to attract support from unrepresented voters.
Deep dives
The disintegration of the Conservative Party
The podcast discusses the disintegration of the Conservative Party, emphasizing how it no longer knows what it stands for and how to connect with the country. The departure of Suela Braverman and David Cameron's return symbolize an existential crisis for the party, leading to an ideological civil war for the soul of conservatism.
Suela Braverman and the silent majority
Suela Braverman represents the positions of a majority of people in the UK, focusing on reducing mass immigration, challenging multiculturalism, criticizing biased institutions, and prioritizing the majority over identity politics. However, despite the majority support for her positions in the country, her own conservative party colleagues did not back her.
The erosion of free speech and radical alternative voices
The episode highlights how dissenting voices and those questioning the status quo are being purged from politics and the public square. The rise of radicalism and woke left ideologies has led to the erosion of free speech and the stifling of nuanced conversations about important issues. The concern is that society can no longer tolerate dissent and alternative viewpoints.
The need for national conservatism
There is a need for a new national conservatism movement that prioritizes reduction in immigration, integration, preservation of national identity, revitalizing the manufacturing base, redistributing power, and a robust pro-family policy. Such a movement could challenge the broken consensus and attract support from both Labour and Conservative voters who feel unrepresented by the current political parties.
The challenges and potential for change
While the next election may result in a Labour victory, the episode highlights the challenges that lie ahead, such as fiscal constraints, immigration issues, and lack of focus on important concerns like cost of living and productivity. There is a need for political reform, not just within the two-party system, but also in the cultural institutions and media landscape. The aim is to build a movement that represents a forgotten majority and translates cultural momentum into political action.
Following recent events, we will be sitting down LIVE with Matt Goodwin - Professor of Politics & author of the bestselling book - Values, Voice & Virtue, to discuss both cause and consequence of this turbulent time in British politics.