Stop calling us ‘swivel-eyed loons’ – Tory members are decent people

Conservative Party members aren’t excited about the two leadership candidates either, but that’s not our fault, writes Salma Shah

The members didn’t make up the rules and bear no responsibility for the constitutional arrangements of the country (PA)

Conservative Party members are used to being derided. We’re unfairly labelled as uncaring, self-serving hardliners whose main aim in life is to save ourselves some tax and look for more creative ways to make life worse for those less well-off. For some reason, we’re fair game for other people’s misplaced vitriol.

The current leadership contest has exacerbated this ire. In so many conversations up and down the country, the unfairness of this self-selecting group getting to decide the next PM is bemoaned as unfair and undemocratic, and party members characterised as “living on another planet”, immune to the things that matter.

Sorry, but the members didn’t make up the rules and bear no responsibility for the constitutional arrangements of the country. They are however now faced with the huge burden of responsibility to choose someone who is going to lead the nation through some of the most difficult challenges we’ve faced for decades.

You may not agree with Conservative thinking, you may not support the Conservative Party but it does not mean that the membership doesn’t share everyone else’s interest in the national good. We happen to be a broad church, we’re not a block vote and don’t all think the same way. We’re all concerned about the cost of living because believe it or not it will affect us too. We are concerned about inflation, education and the health service just like other voters. And yes, we don’t all agree on the best way to tackle these problems either.

Like the rest of the country, many of us aren’t excited about the choice of candidate in front of us either. If you’ve paid attention to the hustings, the contestants have been given a hard time by the very members accused of being self-interested. They have been challenged on everything from tax policy to their plans for the union. From London to Leeds, Belfast to Birmingham the hopefuls have been put through their paces by concerned and motivated people who are trying to make a very tough decision.

If you haven’t come across many Tory party members, allow me to enlighten you. Many are pillars of their communities. They are school governors, church wardens, and local employers. They have joined a political party and given up their free time because they want to do some good. They volunteer, they campaign, they are supportive groups who take an active interest in their neighbourhoods. They are bothered by the boring issues whether it be a poorly situated bus stop or fundraising for local schools, they make the effort.

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The Conservative membership was once infamously described as “swivel-eyed loons” by someone from within its own ranks. It’s a crass assessment often made by those who’ve never taken the time to see and experience a Conservative association. I am probably at odds with many members in my views but I’ve campaigned with people from inner cities to rural sprawls and I’ve yet to encounter anyone who isn’t motivated by trying to make things better.

For all the critics out there who so easily stereotype and caricature the average Tory member, consider that at every electoral event, these people are knocking on doors and delivering leaflets. They are interacting with people outside their comfort zone all the time. They are the foot soldiers having to sell the policies of a Conservative government. They don’t want to be right, they want to win, that takes compromise and consideration.

Conservatives get a lot of flak for their political position and they accept people’s disgraceful rudeness with good grace. But be under no illusions, the Conservative Party membership is trying to do its best by us all.