In defence of Kawczynski and the Bow Group | Editorial
Selective outrage is becoming all the more common; in the form of a willingness to obsess over our political opponents to the extent of hysteria. In the running as contenders for the worst offenders in politics this month, however, were the Muslim Council of Britain, the Jewish Board of Deputies and Muslim Labour – who were unhesitatingly swift to pounce upon MP Daniel Kawczynski for attending the ‘National Conservatism’ conference in Rome.
Calls for the Conservative whip to be removed, and for his suspension soon ensued. The driving factor behind this controversy was due to the conference, and its attendees, being labelled as “far-right.”
A number of well-known conservative and liberal figures were in attendance and making speeches, such as author Douglas Murray, but critics took up particular opposition with the former Italian Interior Minister, Matteo Salvini (who didn’t actually attend), rising star in Italian politics Giorgia Meloni, and Hungarian head of state, Viktor Orbán.
The demand for Kawczynski’s suspension seemed to incoherently follow the logic that, through attendance, he was making a full endorsement of anti-Semitism by association with Orbán. Never mind the presence of Douglas Murray, one of the most well-known and esteemed Western conservative authors.
All of that is to say nothing of the Bow Group, who came under similar fire. The group, one of the oldest think-tanks in Britain, has been a consistent defender of British values and moderate politics since its inception – perhaps a sign of how far to the left we have moved if they could even be considered “far right,” no doubt by those with an agenda.
The Bow Group has also proved itself to consistently be in-touch with the British electorate, infinitely more-so than those sneering at Kawczynski; the group has advocated for leaving the European Union for the last three decades, despite the establishment’s deafness (willing or otherwise) to the issue, and has produced a ‘manifesto’ for post-Brexit Britain, including proposals for a mass-overhaul of the electoral system, and devolved assemblies.
Then of course, there is the 2019 General Election, won most clearly by a party with a commitment to moderate spending policies, a direct move away from the austerity years, and a rightward move on cultural issues. This ‘winning formula’ seemed to come as a shock–not so to those social conservatives in the United Kingdom, amongst whom the Bow Group can be counted. For years we have made it clear that the best route to national unity is a willingness to move away from an ideological commitment to the market-at-all-costs mindset of neoliberalism, whilst strengthening our cultural identity and being firmer in the areas of law and order, immigration, integration and anti-terrorism.
Perhaps, if media elites and hyper-liberal commentators listened to figures like Kawczynski and the Bow Group more, they would not be so shocked at the British people’s decisions.
This brings us back to Kawczynski. Even if Orbán’s recurrent conflict with his philanthropist and political opponent was driven by anti-Semitic sentiment, which evidence suggests is questionable yet possible, it is unclear how this – in any way – would tarnish a Conservative British MP attending a conference about conservatism. What did Kawczynski have to do with Orbán’s spat?
In an article for the Spectator earlier the previous week, Kawczynski defended his intentions of going to Rome stating that he “[did not] agree with each and every one of their policies.” He continued to suggest that the motivations behind his attendance were motivated more by his Anglo-Polish perspective of appreciation for national sovereignty and independence, and as tribute to the late conservative philosopher , Sir Roger Scruton, more than an endorsement of any particular government’s policies. Even if Orbán’s fallouts with philanthropist George Soros, were driven my antisemitic sentiment, the same sentiment can hardly be said to have been present at the conference – sponsored by the Jewish Israeli think-tank the Herzl Institute – and where speaker Israeli academic Hazony was met warmly and, at the end, with rapturous applause. Yes, it may shock some but Jewish conservatives exist too.
While caution over association with extremists is always warranted – it is perfectly legitimate for a Conservative MP and political researchers to attend a conference with blatant members of the political mainstream, openly exploring conservative ideas. Not only do we not see it fit to lament Kawczynski and the Conservative Party’s most profound think-tank, we believe conservative voters ought to commend their attendance. It is refreshing to see confidence, self belief and ideological conviction (for once) from Tory figures – rather than a mere resignation to making incremental concessions to the cultural and social demands of the left. At some point we must offer an alternative for people, and steer the direction of society once again.
Such a philosophical conservatism is re-emerging across Europe. It is certainly up in the air if Fidesz and Orbán have questionable relationships with anti-Semitism (and we have no wish to defend those that do), but their encouragement of family, defence of marriage and propagation of the sense of belonging that underpins the Western tradition is not a flash in the pan. The same sentiment is growing, mostly in the post-Soviet bloc where there was a real sense of cultural existentialism for decades on end.
That sentiment is latent here in Britain, but I believe many people are waking up to the fact that the existential threat does not need to come from above in the form of a totalitarian state. It is just as real and dangerous when it comes from those organisations seeking to “liberate” society. The liberal establishment is not guilty of these destructive forces, but it is guilty of giving them free reign.
As long as our governments continue to abdicate their defence of the Western tradition in the face of a deeply illiberal ‘cancel culture,’ we risk losing the most significant achievement made in all of history – Western Civilisation. If that happens, we will never get it back.
