The dogged art of making yourself heard when people say they’re not listening
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
I have a growing fascination with the homeless.
I don’t mean rough sleepers or those in temporary accommodation, though I believe we have a moral duty to help those people, whatever party you are in, especially veterans.
No, I mean the politically homeless.
My writing about the Conservative cause, might lead you to assume that those hovering in the no man’s land between Reform and Conservative – or have jumped into Reform’s forward trenches as new friends – are no concern of mine.
Not so.
I meet far too many voters, many who are friends, and most – much like Nigel Farage and his entire team who used to be Tories but aren’t now – who, nearly two years on, are still very reluctant to give the Tories a second glance, let alone chance. I don’t like it, but I get it, because it’s our problem, not theirs.
They feel let down. They feel they’ve ‘nothing to lose giving Reform a try’ – much as some did to Labour in 2024 – but many are watching and looking, even if with cynicism to see if the Tories can produce something they might feel able to get behind. Most have not quite given up on us.
The Tories musn’t give up on them.
“I’m a former Tory but I really think they are finished for me. I just don’t think they have changed. They haven’t said anything, Kemi is silent, the party is nowhere” is something I hear over and over again.
Now just for the record, because I’m paid to – and and happy to – watch, read, listen to everything the Conservatives say and do I know, for a fact this is not true.
Even Robert Jenrick did think the Tories could change, because he was determined to lead it. They have changed with him, and will now without him. There are plenty who’ll say not enough, I might even agree, but it’s not credible to say not at all.
But whatever my level of belief that doesn’t make these people’s convictions and feelings their problem. It’s the Tories’ problem.
Lord Ashcroft’s latest focus group was instructive:
“Kemi comes across really well. She’s more straight-talking. I trust her to do what she says more than I would Keir Starmer. Not that I’m going to vote for her necessarily, but I think she far exceeds Starmer;”
Like her, probably not going to vote for her. Conservative problem.
Here’s another:
“I think she speaks well but I wouldn’t trust her as far as I could throw her. With the amount of people who are leaving the party, there’s obviously something that isn’t ringing home to them;” or “She was in the Tory government, so if she came out and said, I’m sorry we got stuff wrong, I tried to change it… But unfortunately, I haven’t heard her apologise for the crap the country is in;” “ The Tories are still all over the shop. Kemi Badenoch aside, they are a mess, an absolute bloody mess.”
Now I know, the Conservative are hearing all …
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
I have a growing fascination with the homeless.
I don’t mean rough sleepers or those in temporary accommodation, though I believe we have a moral duty to help those people, whatever party you are in, especially veterans.
No, I mean the politically homeless.
My writing about the Conservative cause, might lead you to assume that those hovering in the no man’s land between Reform and Conservative – or have jumped into Reform’s forward trenches as new friends – are no concern of mine.
Not so.
I meet far too many voters, many who are friends, and most – much like Nigel Farage and his entire team who used to be Tories but aren’t now – who, nearly two years on, are still very reluctant to give the Tories a second glance, let alone chance. I don’t like it, but I get it, because it’s our problem, not theirs.
They feel let down. They feel they’ve ‘nothing to lose giving Reform a try’ – much as some did to Labour in 2024 – but many are watching and looking, even if with cynicism to see if the Tories can produce something they might feel able to get behind. Most have not quite given up on us.
The Tories musn’t give up on them.
“I’m a former Tory but I really think they are finished for me. I just don’t think they have changed. They haven’t said anything, Kemi is silent, the party is nowhere” is something I hear over and over again.
Now just for the record, because I’m paid to – and and happy to – watch, read, listen to everything the Conservatives say and do I know, for a fact this is not true.
Even Robert Jenrick did think the Tories could change, because he was determined to lead it. They have changed with him, and will now without him. There are plenty who’ll say not enough, I might even agree, but it’s not credible to say not at all.
But whatever my level of belief that doesn’t make these people’s convictions and feelings their problem. It’s the Tories’ problem.
Lord Ashcroft’s latest focus group was instructive:
“Kemi comes across really well. She’s more straight-talking. I trust her to do what she says more than I would Keir Starmer. Not that I’m going to vote for her necessarily, but I think she far exceeds Starmer;”
Like her, probably not going to vote for her. Conservative problem.
Here’s another:
“I think she speaks well but I wouldn’t trust her as far as I could throw her. With the amount of people who are leaving the party, there’s obviously something that isn’t ringing home to them;” or “She was in the Tory government, so if she came out and said, I’m sorry we got stuff wrong, I tried to change it… But unfortunately, I haven’t heard her apologise for the crap the country is in;” “ The Tories are still all over the shop. Kemi Badenoch aside, they are a mess, an absolute bloody mess.”
Now I know, the Conservative are hearing all …
The dogged art of making yourself heard when people say they’re not listening
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
I have a growing fascination with the homeless.
I don’t mean rough sleepers or those in temporary accommodation, though I believe we have a moral duty to help those people, whatever party you are in, especially veterans.
No, I mean the politically homeless.
My writing about the Conservative cause, might lead you to assume that those hovering in the no man’s land between Reform and Conservative – or have jumped into Reform’s forward trenches as new friends – are no concern of mine.
Not so.
I meet far too many voters, many who are friends, and most – much like Nigel Farage and his entire team who used to be Tories but aren’t now – who, nearly two years on, are still very reluctant to give the Tories a second glance, let alone chance. I don’t like it, but I get it, because it’s our problem, not theirs.
They feel let down. They feel they’ve ‘nothing to lose giving Reform a try’ – much as some did to Labour in 2024 – but many are watching and looking, even if with cynicism to see if the Tories can produce something they might feel able to get behind. Most have not quite given up on us.
The Tories musn’t give up on them.
“I’m a former Tory but I really think they are finished for me. I just don’t think they have changed. They haven’t said anything, Kemi is silent, the party is nowhere” is something I hear over and over again.
Now just for the record, because I’m paid to – and and happy to – watch, read, listen to everything the Conservatives say and do I know, for a fact this is not true.
Even Robert Jenrick did think the Tories could change, because he was determined to lead it. They have changed with him, and will now without him. There are plenty who’ll say not enough, I might even agree, but it’s not credible to say not at all.
But whatever my level of belief that doesn’t make these people’s convictions and feelings their problem. It’s the Tories’ problem.
Lord Ashcroft’s latest focus group was instructive:
“Kemi comes across really well. She’s more straight-talking. I trust her to do what she says more than I would Keir Starmer. Not that I’m going to vote for her necessarily, but I think she far exceeds Starmer;”
Like her, probably not going to vote for her. Conservative problem.
Here’s another:
“I think she speaks well but I wouldn’t trust her as far as I could throw her. With the amount of people who are leaving the party, there’s obviously something that isn’t ringing home to them;” or “She was in the Tory government, so if she came out and said, I’m sorry we got stuff wrong, I tried to change it… But unfortunately, I haven’t heard her apologise for the crap the country is in;” “ The Tories are still all over the shop. Kemi Badenoch aside, they are a mess, an absolute bloody mess.”
Now I know, the Conservative are hearing all …
