Cork Irish

Religion and politics do not mix, they say. However, there was a time when Christianity—specifically, Anglicanism—was at the very heart of what it meant to be a Tory. It is arguably the case that multiculturalism, and our ongoing expropriation as a nation, could never have taken root in our country without the collapse of belief in religion, especially organised religion, which in the form of the Church of England is or was essentially the English nation at prayer. Even so, many members of our nation, cannot bring themselves to regret the passing of what they see as superstition and self-righteousness. I would like to explain to them why atheists, agnostics and Christians should support the restoration of our national faith and the traditions that surround it to their rightful position at the heart of English—and British—culture. Religion and politics must mix if there is to be a political defence of our culture.
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I would like to reform the education system in a way that allows for higher standards without empowering new bureaucracies to monitor all schools. In one of Chris Woodhead’s books, he speaks of how inspections are carried out in triplicate. The inspectors come, and then the inspectors of the inspectors, and the inspectors of the inspectors of the inspectors—as there is more than one body involved with monitoring schools. I believe parents should buy the school education they need for their children, and have the right to sue the school if the school does not teach well. For example, if the school does not use the “phonics” method of teaching reading, a good case to sue the school is created. By putting power in the hands of the consumers, the fact that the teachers are in the main left-wing extremists can be circumvented. To sue a failing school is a very different approach to the regulatory regimes in place now: the quality of education should be a question between the school and the parents, without regulatory bodies involved.
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I am a convinced supporter of Dr Sean Gabb’s Libertarian Alliance, and will remain so. But I am not sure he is right to argue that libertarians should reposition themselves as opponents of capitalism, in particular, opposing limited liability companies, and the preferential advantages the limited company format gives to big business. It strikes me as a wheeze, an attempt to strike a left-wing pose, or what would be seen as one, in a context where many libertarian views are seen as either right-wing, or a cover for those who are right-wing.
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