This is the blog for the Tory Reform Group, a political organisation associated with the Conservative Party in the UK.
We believe that the Conservative Party can only command the broad support of the British people by pursuing:
- Social justice
- Political progress
- Prosperity for all
The phrase “progressive Conservatism” encapsulates our promotion of a society founded on freedom, individual responsibility and community. We see a mutually beneficial relationship between market efficiency and a better society.
The TRG bring together members and supporters of the Conservative Party who share this approach to Conservative politics. Our members include parliamentarians, councillors, association officers and members from all parts of the United Kingdom.
The regular author of this blog is Timothy Barnes, Chairman of the TRG. Regular contributors include members of the TRG board, officers and members but we welcome comments from anyone and everyone that is interested in politics of any kind.
Social justice
Political progress
Prosperity for all
You could not have picked a worse couple of words to slot together than ’social justice’. This is a centre-left creation and is meaningless codswallop. When I see someone arguing for ’social justice’ I’m afraid I clasp my wallet tightly as it means I’m about to be robbed. For example, increasing the amount of Unemployment Benefit through a ‘hypothecated’ rise in income tax would be nodded though as an example of ’social justice’. But then there are those among the unemployed who see being unemployed as a lifestyle choice – how is it ‘justice’ taking money from me and those a lot poorer than me and giving it to them? It isn’t.
Social justice is nothing other than socialism-lite – and there is nothing ‘just’ about taking money from poor people and giving it to poorer people.
The sooner this phrase disappears from our language the better.
I’m sorry but we should leave the phrase ’social justice’ to the likes of Polly Toynbee -
Comment by joe bonanno — 28 December, 2006 @ 7:00 pm