What does being Conservative mean, anyway?
December 16, 2007It’s been barely a month since Kevin Rudd became PM, and the world has changed beyond recognition. The Liberal Party, both at a State and Federal level, are in complete tatters. And if the articles from Akerman, Bolt and Co. are any indication there’s some serious self-examination going on.
For myself, I have to ask: What does being Conservative really mean in the 21st Century? It seems to me that under Howard, being Conservative is defined by what you’re opposed to rather than what you stand for. So a Howard Conservative (there’s no other word for it) was against the Environment, against Migrants and Immigration, against Art and Culture, against Aboriginals, against Workers. They were for Big Business, for Big Industry. I believe it was that stance which lost them the 2007 election.
Perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate what Conservative means. I believe Conservative means believing in ideas that have always worked in this country. So it means being for a Consitutional Monarchy, supporting a Capitalist Economy, encouraging people to take responsibility for their own actions, defending Australian values. Notice the difference between the two? I think Conservatives can win back votes if they define a more positive message that includes all Australians, rather than demonising them.
