A battle is being fought for the centre ground of British politics. Ideological divisions between the two main parties seem to be melting faster than the financial system or the polar ice caps. The School of Life is adding to the heat, by hosting the most vital debate of the day: Red Tory vs Blue Labour.
With both Thatcherism and New Labour in disgrace, the ideological cross dressing of the last thirty years has changed and intensified. Cameron’s Conservatives increasingly identify themselves with the National Health Service, educational opportunity and stronger local government. Labour meanwhile remains in thrall to the City of London, while strengthening its policy on Law and Order and presenting itself as the most effective defender of Britishness and the British State.
Speaking for the Red Tories is Phillip Blond, director of the Progressive Conservatism Project at Demos. He will argue that only a revived Conservative tradition drawing inspiration from Burke, Disraeli, Chesterton and Belloc can challenge inequality, restore a sense of home and place and provide real security for people in times of crisis. Blond's brand of Red Toryism decisively rejects markets pretending to be free when in fact they are private sector monopolies, and far from insisting on a powerful state, argues for power to be restored to local communities.
Waving the flag for Blue Labour is Maurice Glasman, Director of the Faith and Citizenship Programme at London Metropolitan University and faculty member of The School of Life. Glasman will argue for a deeply conservative socialism that places family, faith and work at the heart of a new politics of reciprocity, mutuality and solidarity. The debate will be chaired by Professor John Gray, Britain's foremost political philosopher whose widely influential books include Straw Dogs: thoughts on humans and other animals. Find out what is really at stake in how the two great political traditions of Britain make sense of the role of finance in civil society. And discover the battleground over which the next general election is sure to be fought.
The debate takes place on Wednesday April 22 at 7pm at Conway Hall, WC1. Tickets cost £10. To book call 0207 833 1010 or e-mail [email protected]
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