Reform UK cannot plausibly present itself as a revolt against lockdowns, mass immigration, censorship and technocratic rule while actively recruiting the people who designed and enforced it all.
Absolutely brilliant diagnosis of where we are and what the Conservatives need to do:
1. Own the past failures, apologise to the British people and commit to learning from them
2. Assertively tackle a Labour government that is taking the previous damage inflicted (see 1,above) to another level and a Reform Party which is Politically schizophrenic.
If the latter point isn’t addressed now it will be once they are in power inflicting further damage to our country.
Every party wants power and really wants to exercise that power for their in groups. Despite identifying the symptoms, none of them are open to intervention, lack of freedom and lack of free markets being the cause.
It seemed that Reform was at the start but that is less clear.
The impulse to control others and direct the lives of people is still there. For the individuals who have defected, perhaps allowing for some benefit of the doubt for Danny Kruger, I suspect that they would have done it all again: lockdowns, vaccine passports, handouts etc
Good to see you give some "benefit of the doubt" at least to Danny Kruger. Have you read his book " Covenant", outlining his aspirations? One wonders if Steve Baker has read the book and has his own comments to make on its substance.
In what I know about Danny Kruger, and particularly during COVID, he was very thoughtful and restrained which I very much appreciated. He did in the main believe in individual liberty but I couldn't say the same for the other names that Albie listed.
Thank you for responding and highlighting Kruger's belief in individual liberty- it is worth linking that to his belief in individual responsibility towards Family, Neighbourhood and Nation. I hope that you, Steve Baker, and all who follow this substack will be encouraged to read and comment on the book's substance.
Completely agree that individual liberty comes and in hand with personal responsibility. And in the spirit of individual liberty, I would like people or have the choice where they take responsibility for and not be forced with a specific view sor even my view for example.
As you kindly request - I will add the book to my reading list.
It is most encouraging to engage with somebody who has an open and enquiring mind. I do hope you enjoy the book - I would be very interested to have your take on it, when you are ready.
Mr Amankona seems ungenerously bent on targeting individuals in his piece. It would be interesting to read his take on Danny Kruger's book "Covenant" which, I suspect, will form the intellectual basis of Reform's "preparation for government" The book has been lauded for "setting out a vision of such scope and ideological coherence" Can we assume that Mr Amankona's is suggesting that his gallery apparent of misfits do not subscribe to Mr Kruger's ideology?
Absolutely brilliant diagnosis of where we are and what the Conservatives need to do:
1. Own the past failures, apologise to the British people and commit to learning from them
2. Assertively tackle a Labour government that is taking the previous damage inflicted (see 1,above) to another level and a Reform Party which is Politically schizophrenic.
If the latter point isn’t addressed now it will be once they are in power inflicting further damage to our country.
Great article Albie and a nice follow up to Steve’s of yesterday.
Very helpful to people like me who are dabbling with the idea of supporting Reform.
Someone said to me recently that some of these defections looked a little suspicious.
At this rate, maybe even Michael “Lord lockdown “ Gove might feel at home in Reform
Spot on analysis and great to read.
Every party wants power and really wants to exercise that power for their in groups. Despite identifying the symptoms, none of them are open to intervention, lack of freedom and lack of free markets being the cause.
It seemed that Reform was at the start but that is less clear.
The impulse to control others and direct the lives of people is still there. For the individuals who have defected, perhaps allowing for some benefit of the doubt for Danny Kruger, I suspect that they would have done it all again: lockdowns, vaccine passports, handouts etc
Good to see you give some "benefit of the doubt" at least to Danny Kruger. Have you read his book " Covenant", outlining his aspirations? One wonders if Steve Baker has read the book and has his own comments to make on its substance.
I have not read his book unfortunately.
In what I know about Danny Kruger, and particularly during COVID, he was very thoughtful and restrained which I very much appreciated. He did in the main believe in individual liberty but I couldn't say the same for the other names that Albie listed.
Thank you for responding and highlighting Kruger's belief in individual liberty- it is worth linking that to his belief in individual responsibility towards Family, Neighbourhood and Nation. I hope that you, Steve Baker, and all who follow this substack will be encouraged to read and comment on the book's substance.
Thank you David.
Completely agree that individual liberty comes and in hand with personal responsibility. And in the spirit of individual liberty, I would like people or have the choice where they take responsibility for and not be forced with a specific view sor even my view for example.
As you kindly request - I will add the book to my reading list.
Dear Jilan,
It is most encouraging to engage with somebody who has an open and enquiring mind. I do hope you enjoy the book - I would be very interested to have your take on it, when you are ready.
David Dilly
Mr Amankona seems ungenerously bent on targeting individuals in his piece. It would be interesting to read his take on Danny Kruger's book "Covenant" which, I suspect, will form the intellectual basis of Reform's "preparation for government" The book has been lauded for "setting out a vision of such scope and ideological coherence" Can we assume that Mr Amankona's is suggesting that his gallery apparent of misfits do not subscribe to Mr Kruger's ideology?