Looking for signs of life in centre-right politics in Britain | Letters
Dating as I do from the second world war, I can assure Zoe Williams that the Tory party started imploding well before Boris Johnson, David Cameron and co (Enjoying the implosion of the Tories? That’s understandable – but completely wrong, 6 October).One-nation Tories became extinct the minute Margaret Thatcher took office.The true old-school Conservatives were the Macmillan generation, and they were possibly a one-off.That generation had seen two world wars (Macmillan was wounded in the first), they’d witnessed the great slump of the 1920s and 30s, and consequently they’d had their eyes opened and had to question their often privileged upbringings.They largely continued the Keynesian social democratic policies established by Labour’s Clement Attlee (also public school educated and wounded in the first world war) and this continued until Thatcher established the wrecking ball of Friedmanism, which has now had 45 years to demonstrate its legacy of record inequality, tottering public services and our companies departing abroad in ever increasing numbers.
But don’t hold your breath for a change in the party.The English electorate, at least, have always shown a healthy appetite for masochism and being told their place.There may be life in Thatcherism yet.David RedshawSaltdean, East Sussex Kemi Badenoch says that she will scrap stamp duty on primary residences if elected (Report, 8 October).The “party of fiscal responsibility” proposes to create a tax deficit while the country’s debt is running at 100% of GDP and we pay almost as much in debt interest as we do on education.
How is this responsible?Does she understand nothing about the factors driving house prices? People’s ability to buy is limited by their ability to borrow, and part of the borrowing needs to cover the cost of paying stamp duty,Cut out the stamp duty and all that will happen is house prices will rise to close the gap,The economic illiteracy of the Tories continues to astound me,Des SeniorAylesbeare, Devon The Conservative leadership now regrets that the size of our civil service has increased in the last nine years,Did it not occur to any of them that leaving the EU would involve adding extra staff in London to handle regulatory issues that had been managed collectively with our partners in the EU, as well as to negotiate the multiple bilateral relationships with our European neighbours that are essential now that we are outside? William WallaceLiberal Democrat, House of Lords While agreeing with Polly Toynbee that a grownup centre‑right party is a necessary evil, I hope she’s not expecting us to look out the nose peg she has previously championed to go out and vote for them (I didn’t think I’d ever say this: let’s hope the Tory party can be saved, 7 October).
Les BrightExeter “Britain badly needs a grownup party of the centre right,” says the subheading on Polly Toynbee’s article.Isn’t that what Labour is trying to be?Katy JennisonWitney, Oxfordshire The Tory rot really started when Boris Johnson booted out all the MPs who showed signs of shrewdness and decency over Brexit.Peter BrookerWest Wickham, London Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
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Steelers 23-9 Browns, Ravens 3-17 Rams and more: NFL week six – as it happened
Right, another big day and the standouts have to be Bryce Young going toe-to-toe with Dak Prescott and leading the Panthers to victory and Sam Darnold’s dominance for the Seahawks. Goodnight!Baltimore Ravens 3-17 LA RamsCarolina Panthers 30-27 Dallas CowboysIndianapolis Colts 31-27 Arizona CardinalsJacksonville Jaguars 12-20 Seattle SeahawksMiami Dolphins 27-29 LA ChargersNew Orleans Saints 19-25 New England PatriotsPittsburgh Steelers 23-9 Cleveland BrownsThe Steelers defense keeps Gabriel in check on a tough afternoon for the rookie. Pittsburgh surge to 4-1 and Cleveland are now 1-5. The Browns have now lost 22 straight in Pittsburgh. Ouch
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Australia chase down record score to beat India in Women’s Cricket World Cup – as it happened
Australia go top of the table. India are in third, but they can’t afford to lose another one. Their remaining games are against New Zealand, England, and Bangladesh, and if they drop one there then New Zealand could jump them, especially if they lose to the Kiwis.That’s it from us. South Africa play Bangladesh tomorrow
Magical Marcus Smith inspires Harlequins to derby victory over Saracens
Ordinarily a game‑winning performance from Marcus Smith worth 15 points would include a dozen line‑breaks, several offloads and more hot steps than a Motown nightclub. And while the England star dazzled in patches with ball in hand, it was his composed kicking that was the difference as Harlequins beat Saracens 20-14 in a scrappy but enjoyable London derby.Smith launched raking kicks into space. He hoisted contestable spirals into pale blue skies. He dinked over the top of rushing defenders
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Looking for signs of life in centre-right politics in Britain | Letters
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