The right must unite: a rallying cry for conservative coherence before 2029

Now is no longer the time for quarrels, divisions or internal quarrels. The stakes are too high, the consequences too serious, believes Claire Bullivant.

The British people did not ask for this Labor government; it was the fragmented right that handed them the keys to Downing Street. We must channel our energies not against each other, but against the left.

Reform UK, this tenacious newcomer, has injected a much-needed boldness into British politics. Their unapologetic conservatism and fearless approach resonated strongly, particularly among young voters, a group that conservatives have long struggled to engage.

By challenging tired orthodoxies and reigniting enthusiasm in the political sphere, Reform UK is carving out a dynamic niche from which Conservatives would do well to learn.

Nigel Farage and his team have had their finger on the pulse of young Britons, capturing their imaginations with unabashed patriotism and electric energy. The recent Reform Party conference was a master class in modern political theater, pyrotechnics, rock music and a vibrant crowd of fresh, young and patriotic faces. It's the kind of energy that thrives on platforms like TikTok and social media, where the next generation lives.

Conservatives need to wake up. To stay relevant, they must rebrand with conviction, rediscover boldness and hold Labor's faltering leaders to account with relentless vigor. As Labor's appeal continues to fade, younger voters will be increasingly drawn to vibrant, patriotic content that celebrates Britishness and dares to inject some much-needed razzmatazz into the political scene. Conservatives must step up their efforts or risk being left behind.

But let's not get carried away by unbalanced zeal. The Conservative Party, love it or complain, remains the great oak of British politics. It is not just a party, but an institution rich in history, organizational weight and muscular memory of governance honed over the centuries. Reform UK would do well to learn from this, to appreciate the power of experience, the organizational mechanism and the discipline required to effectively navigate the corridors of power.

No matter what Reformers believe or claim, a significant portion of the electorate will still vote Conservative in 2029. The Conservative Party will adapt, change its name and experience new growth, as it has countless times before. The Conservative Party is not a relic, nor in its death throes; he remains a force to be reckoned with. And who knows? Perhaps Boris himself could make a comeback. Stranger things have happened.

Why unity is important

Let's be realistic. Labor is in government because the right divided its votes. Do the math. Yes, many turned to Reform UK because they felt the Conservatives were no longer conservative enough, diluted by MPs whose natural home might actually be among the Liberal Democrats. But the reality is this: divided, we fail. A fractured right will always be outwitted by the left, even if its offer is lackluster.

And let's have no illusions about Labor's policies. The party's obsession with bureaucracy, its war on growth and its anti-business instincts on high taxes are already beginning to stifle the economy. Britain demands not the steroid-doped socialism of Starmers Labour, but genuine conservatism. True conservatism: lower taxes, fewer regulations, support for business and a strong commitment to national sovereignty and security.

A way forward

So what should we do? First, we must unite around our common principles. British reformers and conservatives have more in common than divides them. Both want a free, prosperous and proud Britain. Both want a government that respects the individual, values ​​business and defends our borders. The differences between us are eclipsed by the gulf between us and Labour's vision of Britain.

Second, the Conservatives must embrace the passion and boldness of Reform UK, and learn to rekindle the fire that made us the natural party of government. Reform, for its part, must recognize the value of institutional knowledge and the power of a united front.

Finally, we must remember who we serve: the British people. They don't care about party rivalries or tests of ideological purity. They care about results. They want lower bills, better schools, safer streets and a government that defends Britain at home and abroad.

The future is ours to win

The right has always been at its best when it is united, focused and unafraid to stand up for its values. It's not just about winning elections, although that is of course a necessary first step. This is about providing the leadership that Britain needs, the leadership that our citizens deserve.

So let’s put our differences aside. Let's end the infighting. Let us come together as one force, a conservative force, a force for Britain. Together we can take the fight to Labor and get this great nation back on track.

Claire Bullivant

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Main photo: illustration only. AI generated.