THE NEED FOR A UNIONIST PHILOSOPHY
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The two articles entitled " Mr. Baldwin : a Character Study," which recently appeared in the pages of the Spectator, are more than a little provocative in their implications. It will probably be admitted that the character of a statesman cannot be considered apart from the political principles which he represents. Now, it is a curious and rather melancholy commentary on the recent history of Conservatism that even an approximation to a coherent body of Conservative or Tory principles simply does not exist. We have Mr. Baldwin leading the party along the paths of collectivist legislation, Mr. Amery, until precluded by the pressure of office, engaged in attracting a considerable number of Conservatives towards a National and Imperial economic policy, and Lord Birken- head, a thoroughgoing apostle of Realpolitik, issuing a command to the youth of 1923 " to march with heads erect and bright eyes along the road of our Imperial destiny."
But if the question were asked : In which direction lies this Imperial destiny, and by which road is the modern Conserva- tive to follow it ?—the answer would be slow in coming. An examination of party literature and the trend of party speeches during the past few years leave a painful impression that party politics to-day represent little more than the conflict of rival economic policies, and that government has been reduced to the simple problem of feeding the people.
It is difficult to imagine the continued existence of any political party based solely on economic identity. Without the driving force of a great ideal transcending purely economic considerations (let Benthamites say what they will) a Govern- ment can never move the people to high achievement. Never in the whole history of the Conservative Party have greater opportunities occurred for carrying out a comprehensive economic and industrial policy, and never perhaps has the party stood in greater want of a political creed. And little prescience is required to foresee that ultimately this will be the issue on which Conservatism will stand or fall.
Stasis has never been the normal characteristic of political conservatism. And although development and great ideals have accompanied each other on the march, mere political opportunism, even when redeemed by the epithet " enlightened," has rarely aided any party. Happy is that Prime Minister who will discern in the present political situation a guide to lead us towards a philosophy of conser-
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