In our last post before Christmas (we return on the 27th) here is a brief guide to the eleven shields that have crowned ConservativeHome.com since our launch on Easter Monday, 2005.
The shields represent the breadth of the ideal conservative coalition - 'the politics of and'. Each of us come to the conservative colours for different reasons. Our interests overlap and are sometimes in tension but we are at our best when we recognise that diversity is a strength and absolute unity is impossible. There needs to be respect for difference if we are to form a coalition that is broad enough for victory.
Each of the eleven shields represent important causes:
Home and family is the first shield. As John Hayes MP has said, the home comes close to being a unifying emblem for all conservatives:
“The idea of the home can define a Conservative agenda for the twenty-first century. Homes are a symbol of social justice – of private ownership – of security – of independence from intrusive government – of local identity - of embryonic community life…”
Next is prosperity. If socialists come in to politics to redistribute wealth, conservatives prefer to start with the creation of wealth. This shield also represents fiscal and supply-side conservatives.
Compassion is the third shield. Some of the greatest conservatives have been social reformers. This year David Cameron celebrated the example of William Wilberforce. Shaftesbury is another giant in the Conservative Party's one nation tradition. Iain Duncan Smith is the greatest champion of this tradition today. The conservative approach to compassion is distinctive. We understand that the institutions of civil society form the soundest basis for a caring society. School choice, zero tolerance of crime and a safety-net approach to welfare are other favoured hallmarks.
Law and order is the fourth shield. For most conservatives the protection of the public is a primary responsibility of government. But it is not just about laws and policing, it is about the nurturing of what David Cameron has called social responsibility. Without responsibility from families, neighbours and businesses, order is impossible.
Humanity is the next shield. The image is sometimes interpreted as being a statement about abortion. For many conservatives the defence of the unborn is foundational but this shield is actually meant to represent a broader understanding of a pro-life philosophy. In his 2000 inaugural address George W Bush said that "no insignificant person was ever born". That is what the shield attempts to capture. Conservatives believe in the importance of the individual or, as Catholic Social Teaching suggests, "the person". Conservatives will always put the value of the individual ahead of any system.
Faith is the sixth shield and the shield at the centre of the design. Not all conservatives are religious but most conservatives are still affected by Britain's Judaeo-Christian inheritance. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, reminds us of part of that legacy in today's Times:
"Christmas reminds us of a God who is completely committed to the weakest, who uses power only so that human life can be fuller, more peaceful and generous, who gives us the help we need to make our relationships stable and faithful – and who requires of us a complete honesty about ourselves, and gently, steadily, chips away our self-deceptions. Christmas tells us that our best instincts about human nature and what’s needed for a healthy world and society aren’t just things we’ve made up. They are rooted in the way the whole universe is shaped by God."
Shield seven is about the conservative commitment to conservation. Tories disagree about the nature of climate change and what should be done about it. There is, however, broad agreement that the planet is entrusted to us and we need to be good stewards of its richness and diversity and that we begin by protecting our local environments.
The next shield is media and culture. If conservatives have been successfully engaged politically for many years they have been absent from many cultural battles. The BBC, the world of theatre and of criticism have been surrendered to the liberal left. Even during the Thatcher years many public appointments, from the Arts Council to the National Council for One Parent Families, remained in the hands of the left. New groups like the New Culture Forum aim to tackle this failure.
Patriotism is the ninth shield. As C S Lewis has written: “As the family offers us the first step beyond self-love, so [patriotism] offers us the first step beyond family selfishness.” Defence of nation, for conservatives, is the first duty of government. That includes protection from foreign aggression and from domestic assault on settled institutions. This time last year David Willetts listed Britain's great institution-builders.
Shield ten is about international engagement. Few nations are so engaged with the rest of the world through history and outlook. The fourth largest economy in the world, at the centre of the Commonwealth, the inspiration behind the Anglosphere, a member of the European Union and seated on the UN Security Council, Britain remains an important world player.
The final shield - the blue rosette - is about political involvement. Not all conservatives are big 'C' Conservative activists. A whole army of people who defend religious freedom, the local environment or volunteer for a good cause are contributing to the kind of society that conservatives love. But political involvement is a vital expression of conservative commitment. ConservativeHome.com promotes democratic participation and a political conservatism that isn't centralised in the hands of a few but where power is shared with hundreds of thousands of local representatives and activists.
If I wasn't already a Conservative/ conservative I would be after reading that!
Happy Christmas everyone.
Posted by: Jennifer Wells | December 24, 2007 at 14:42
Regarding the political conservatism shield: Political conservatives can be active in groups like the Countryside Alliance and MigrationWatch. We can be movement conservatives rather than party political Tories.
Posted by: Movement conservative | December 24, 2007 at 14:56
Where is 'freedom of the individual'? One hopes we still beileve in that.
Posted by: Michael Greaves | December 24, 2007 at 16:04
I think freedom of the individual can be directly derived. "Homes are a symbol of social justice – of private ownership – of security – of independence from intrusive government – of local identity - of embryonic community life…”. And defending religious freedom.
Also, necessary to preserve such freedoms comes the unselfish social responsibility with families, neighbors, businesses and patriotism: willing to contribute toward protection from foreign aggression and from domestic assault on settled institutions.
The only part I would change is the wording about international engagement with part of its proof as having a positive reference as a member of the EU and UN. I think these should be qualified while in context.
Posted by: Steevo | December 24, 2007 at 16:31
Thanks for explaining them in detail, I've always loved them as a logo. Can't argue with any of it.
Steevo has a point about not putting into words the EU/UN scepticism which the editors clearly share, tho i'm sure theres lots other details that could have been included int he synoposis.
Posted by: Matt Kellett | December 24, 2007 at 18:05
It's a shame that the words "pro-life" have to appear at all. Thankfully this isn't part of British Conservative core values - having read your description perhaps a better picture could be found to distance itself from the abortion issue.
Posted by: Pro Choice Conservative | December 24, 2007 at 19:18
This dwells upon the One Nation tradition, but that is only one stand of conservative thought. What about the Thatcher legacy, individualism and economic liberalism?
It seems we are being consumed in this idea of One Nation - it is not the only branch of conservative thought.
Posted by: Helen Smith | December 24, 2007 at 19:44
Non-denominational seasons greetings to fellow posters. I hope there is at least one red delivering uncosted largesse that you will be happy to see, if only once a year.
Posted by: Passing Leftie | December 24, 2007 at 21:29
Merry Christmas to all and looking forward to Labour gaining ground in the New Year. Don't forget we were polling 20 points ahead when in Opposition, you lot have lots to do and I don't think it will happen!
Posted by: Another Passing Leftie | December 24, 2007 at 22:54
A belated happy Christmas to all bloggers from me too!
Posted by: Malcolm Dunn | December 25, 2007 at 19:30
A 20 point lead is not necessary (for the Tories to be sure of retaining a big enough lead when the General Election arrives).
Polling methods have changed a bit since the autumn 1992 to 1997 period when Labour scored huge leads.
They also went on to win a landslide.
The Tories don't need to be as far ahead as they were to win an overall majority.
But they do need to be above 40 per cent, and preferably around 42-44.
Posted by: Roy Meadow | December 25, 2007 at 23:22
I have to agree, polling was less accurate in the early 90s and people behave differently now with pollsters. Its not entirely clear what will happen in the next election but the sorts of poll leads we have had augur very well, especially if they can be maintained on average across the next 2 years.
Posted by: Matt Wright | December 26, 2007 at 17:36
I've never seen conservatism summed up so perfectly - makes me very proud to be a Conservative!
Posted by: Chantelle | December 26, 2007 at 23:55
Well done for reminding us what Conservatism is really all about!! Despite the "noises off" on various subjects I think we all agree on these 11 shields. We may interpret some of the finer points slightly differently but the "big stuff" we all have in common! Happy New Year to all!
Posted by: Sally Roberts | December 27, 2007 at 08:56