A moral revival?

David Cameron’s speech about putting morality back into British life was certainly an event. The Tories have avoided the m-word like the plague since the ‘back-to-basics’ debacle under the Major administration. This was a notable decision by Cameron to put his head into the jaws of the alligator. So far he has emerged not only unscathed but with many respectful and admiring noises in reaction. Why has he not fallen victim to the ‘back-to-basics' trap? People say it’s because he has so successfully decontaminated the Tory brand. Because of his touchy-feely-greenery, the Tories can no longer credibly be painted as hatchet-faced bigots who would starve the feckless while kicking them into the gutter. Maybe so; but there are surely other explanations too. ‘Back-to-basics’ was a good idea hopelessly sold. Although it was... [read full story]