The generational smoking ban shows what happens when Conservatives go against their instincts, says Karl McCartney

When you are fortunate enough to be elected as an MP you have many issues that you might wish to pursue. In my and many of my former colleagues’ cases, these issues reflected basic Conservative values, encompassing a range of traditional and pragmatic ideas.

Unfortunately, my Party, the Conservative Party, spent our time in office poorly, passing some laws that were far from Conservative. Our failings emboldened those in the supporting casts of the Civil Service and quangos… also known as “The Establishment”.

This is important. The Labour Party has parked its tanks on our lawn; they have not needed too, but Reform has. Our Party imploded ideologically, having ceded many arguments to the left. Ministers consistently made galling ‘left-leaning’ announcements and policy judgements – all designed to win over ‘voters’ and the media who never supported us.

Many of those that joined or unduly influenced our Party’s leadership in the recent past, and present, were no true Conservatives. We all know some of our MPs just wanted to be an MP, rather than a Conservative MP. Only there for self-aggrandisement, talking a good game or saying what a Leader wants to hear. Regrettably,........

© City A.M.