Which UK Newspapers do you usually read online?

[Rick B]

My point was only....and please correct me if I'm wrong....that the "conservatives" in the UK do not have quite the same social agenda as many (though not all) in the U.S.....ie., reproductive rights, civil rights, religion, etc.


Yes, I do agree with you. Abortion and religion are certainly not as high on the political agenda as they are in the States. That is the major difference I have noticed as well. But to be honest, there are some "groups" of Conservative MP's who are reasonably powerful and they are based around religion. Personally I believe that religion should stay out of Politics. With abortion, the main Conservative line is that it should be looked at again. The law here was decided well before we had the kind of scientific knowledge we have now. But it is not (as am I not) against abortion completly.

[ibreak4coffee]

I'm guessing that Yoss and yourself see my brand of conservatism a little more liberal than the US by those comments? Any particular reason? Just wondering as some here think I am very right wing...... :confused: Plus to be fair, I do seem to agree with some "liberals" over quite a few things!!

American conservatism is based on so many factors and beliefs that are uniquely American... the notion of the American dream, the importance of religion in life, the notion of self-reliance and individualism, and American patriotism that belives the USA is a unique country in world history needing to spread its version of government and politics around the world (this is by far the most patriotic country I've ever lived in). All these factors together give American conservatism its distinctive character.

No other country in the developed world is also quite as religious, pro free market capitalism, and focused on work over quality of life... all three of these characteristics underpin american conservatism. Increasingly, the first group is taking over the agenda of the republican party, which of course has no other goal but to be the voice of American conservatism.

A good read on this topic is "The Right Nation: Conservative Power in America" written by two correspondents for the Economist. And speaking of the Economist, I think that's the perfect publication demonstrating the difference between American and UK conservatives... while on economic policy the Economist is more "American" if you will, on social and environmental issues, it leans far more to the Democratic part of America, and far away from the looney tunes fringe of the republican party that still disputes things like global warming while arguing that evolution is junk science :rolleyes:

I'll stop here...

[Riz]

So IB4C, how's that gig at the Center for American Progress going?

;)

(and very well put, btw)