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On various occasions when Tory figureheads have appeared moderately rational outwardly – and different periods where they have sounded completely unhinged, yet continued to be cherished by their party. This is not either of those times. A leading Tory failed to inspire attendees when she presented to her conference, while she threw out the provocative rhetoric of anti-immigration sentiment she assumed they wanted.

The issue wasn't that they’d all awakened with a revived feeling of humanity; more that they didn’t believe she’d ever be in a position to implement it. Effectively, an imitation. The party dislikes such approaches. A veteran Tory apparently called it a “themed procession”: noisy, energetic, but nonetheless a goodbye.

Future Prospects for the Group With a Decent Case to Make for Itself as the Most Accomplished Governing Force in History?

Some are having renewed consideration at Robert Jenrick, who was a definite refusal at the outset – but with proceedings winding down, and rivals has withdrawn. Another group is generating a excitement around a rising star, a young parliamentarian of the 2024 intake, who presents as a Shires Tory while saturating her online profiles with immigration-critical posts.

Could she be the leader to challenge opposition forces, now surpassing the Tories by a substantial lead? Is there a word for overcoming competitors by mirroring their stance? And, if there isn’t, maybe we can borrow one from martial arts?

If You’re Enjoying These Developments, in a Downfall Observation Way, in a Just-Deserts Way, That Is Understandable – Yet Totally Misguided

You don’t even have to examine America to know this, or reference Daniel Ziblatt’s groundbreaking study, his analysis of political systems: every one of your synapses is shouting it. Moderate conservatism is the essential firewall against the far right.

His research conclusion is that political systems endure by keeping the “wealthy and influential” happy. I’m not wild about it as an guiding tenet. It feels as though we’ve been keeping the affluent and connected over generations, at the detriment of the broader population, and they rarely appear quite happy enough to cease desiring to make cuts out of disability benefits.

However, his study isn’t a hunch, it’s an archival deep dive into the pre-Nazi German National People’s Party during the interwar Germany (in parallel to the UK Tories circa 1906). Once centrist parties loses its confidence, when it starts to chase the terminology and superficial stances of the radical wing, it hands them the direction.

We Saw Comparable Behavior Throughout the EU Exit Process

The former Prime Minister aligning with Steve Bannon was one particularly egregious example – but far-right flirtation has become so pronounced now as to eliminate competing party narratives. Where are the established party members, who value stability, conservation, the constitution, the UK reputation on the world stage?

What happened to the progressives, who described the country in terms of powerhouses, not powder kegs? Let me emphasize, I didn't particularly support both groups too, but it's remarkably noticeable how those worldviews – the broad-church approach, the Cameroonian Conservative – have been marginalized, superseded by constant vilification: of migrants, Islamic communities, welfare recipients and activists.

Appear at Podiums to Themes Resembling the Opening Credits to the Television Drama

Emphasizing what they cannot stand for any more. They describe demonstrations by older demonstrators as “carnivals of hatred” and employ symbols – national emblems, Saint George’s flags, all objects bearing a splash of matadorial colour – as an direct confrontation to anyone who doesn’t think that being British through and through is the ultimate achievement a human can aspire to.

We observe an absence of any inherent moderation, that prompts reflection with core principles, their own hinterland, their own plan. Any stick the Reform leader offers them, they follow. So, absolutely not, it’s not fun to observe their collapse. They are pulling democratic norms along in their decline.