The dangers of Conservatism

Is it Conservatism or Howardism? I don't know. What I do know is that the superficial line on immigration strikes a chord with many people but when the situation is explained to them they begin to see the flaws in the Conservative line. What I have started to pick up is that ethnic minorities in some areas of the constituency have started to experience an increase in harrasment. These are people who do not necessarily see themeselves as immigrants as they include people whose families have been in Britain for a couple of generations.

One of the biggest immigrant communities are the Australians but somehow I suspect that they do not experience this phenomenon. What we are seeing is an upsurge in racism. Nothing more and nothing less. Michael Howard has a lot to answer for and I am convinced that there are decent people in his party who also believe that he has got it wrong.

There are real problems and we do need to talk about them but the negative messages coming out of Conservative Central Office do not promote sensible debate.