Progressive Conservatism gains traction
by Max Wind-Cowie
17/08/09 Max Wind-Cowie comments on a poll that places the Conservatives as being more progressive than Labour...
Politics Home has published the results of a new poll, expertly dissected by Mike Smithson of politicalbetting.com which shows that more people believe that the Conservative party is progressive than Labour.
It would be tempting for progcons to pat themselves on the back and say ‘job done’ but there remains work to do. As my colleague Jonty pointed out here, there is lots still to be done – particularly in defining what it is that we mean by progressive conservatism in the first place. Still, this poll does show that the public are open to the idea of a progressive conservatism and that they don’t find it as oxymoronic a term as many on the left have suggested!
Max Wind-Cowie
David, thank you for your comment. It's certainly true that the poll showed the Lib Dems neck and neck with the Tories in the progressive stakes - and that all three parties are ahead of Labour. My point is that Conservative use of, and identification with, progressivism is relatively new and that to outstrip the party that many see as the 'natural' home of progressive politics is an achievement.
v st clair
So perhaps you could define 'progressive' in relation to conservatism?
Tim Pendry
Try this:-
http://asithappens.tppr.info/journal/2009/8/26/are-the-tories-progressive.html
Andrew Preston
I'm sorry, but your post is the most utter drivel. The defining characteristic of that poll is the sheer scale of those who view the so called main parties as unprogressive.
David
Yes but the public also found the Liberal Democrats and the Greens to be more progressive than Labour. What is more, 35% thought that NO party was progressive. I dont see how you can paint this as evidence of Prog Con gains.