Aug 13
85340080
According to an exclusive in the Telegraph, the Portillistas are at it again. Not pleased with the results of recent polling, they are threatening to leave the party and form a new party. Of course, as Peter Briffa rightly points out, they will be nothing like the “libertarians” they claim to be, if history is anything to go by. Despite using “John Galt” as a code-name for their leader, it will be the make-up of the grouping that makes the big difference.
Having first hand knowledge of the membership of the Heslington Group, (mispelled in the article), CChange, and the Tory Reform Group, libertarians, and mostly especially Randians, would not find common cause with any of this lot. They are for big (careing/nannying) government, a softer approach to Europe and “inclusiveness.” Their only big common ground with libertarians is the legalisation of cannabis (but only that).
The article mentions the YCs and FCS, as well as other groups (such as the Adam Smith Institute and Institure for Economic Affairs) that are made up more of those who are true libertarians.
The Portillo supporters seem to be trying to sucker the true libertarians by giving them a few carrots. I, for one, don’t trust lot as far as I can can throw them. A truely libertarian alternative to the Tory Party might be a good idea, but a Lid-Dem light would not be at all.
Either this is someone being very silly or the IDS lot have found a way to nip it in the bud. It should be most interesting to watch. Chaos is always so much fun.
Update: Goldstein pens a few worthy words on this report.
