In praise of the landed gentry | Cornelius Christian
It is better, instead, for our elite to be tied to the ground from whence they came. An earl with hectares of farmland must deal amicably with those under his patronage. He is known in the countryside by name, and the common good dictates that he ensure his tenants’ wellbeing: otherwise, his family name is soiled into disrepute.
The precarious case of conservative political identity in civic life and culture wars | Luke Doherty
Whilst we can subscribe to partisan policies and support a specific direction of travel; and be a loyal and committed acolyte to a charismatic leader, there are more profound factors that contribute to one’s political identity than the mere product of pragmatism and lack of ideological commitment. This is especially true for the conservative. Conservatism is more than just a particular economic disposition, it is an instinct deep within an individual who, recognizing that what we have collectively received is good, wishes to conserve it and defend it from harm or desecration.
Biological men have a place in sport – but it’s not as female athletes | Sam Hall
In 2018, JayCee Cooper, a trans-powerlifter, set records in women's bench press after only a year of powerlifting. In 2014, transgender pro MMA fighter Fallon Fox beat Tamikka Brents, giving her a concussion and a broken orbital bone. In layman’s terms (Biology GCSE letting me down once again) that means she had her eye socket caved in. These athletes do not want to be called men and yet in terms of testosterone levels are at a clear advantage over biological women.
Duty’s spectacular decline in Western nations | Tom Colsy
It is no coincidence that at the height of America’s civilisational prowess, President John F. Kennedy instructed citizens not to ask what the country could do for him, but instead ponder what he could do for his country. We could relearn a thing or two from that 1961 inaugural speech. Or, at least, take heed of G.K. Chesterton’s words, that “men did not love Rome because she was great. She was great because they had loved her”.
Rome burns, put down your fiddle | Sam Hall
We have an innate tendency towards creation. We are God’s chosen species, made in his image, and therefore at some level also have the capability to create. Not merely for function- to keep us sheltered from the elements, well-fed and watered- but to go beyond, to create a civilisation… This tendency for beauty and creation is all too often overridden by a desire to destroy.
The “no-fault” divorce legislation is contrary to the nature of marriage | Sam George
Yet, one should ask: Why does this theological perspective have any consequence to the non-Christian conservative? Quite simply because it sets the precedent of a higher standard which produces not only the smallest contingent of a healthy, functioning and self-sustaining society, but also typically provides the best surety against individual shortcomings as well as ensuring successful inheritance.
Christian virtue in Britain: how does this inform our culture and attitudes? | Sam George
What I am alluding to is the fact that those countries with shared religious or cultural core values (and in some instances, both, but this needn’t be the case always) tend to exhibit the best responses to acclimatisation. At the same time, there are some extenuating outliers; for instance, Sikhs are a minority religion which have been extended legal privileges, but have had such on the understanding that they have demonstrated an exemplary attitude to the core values of Britain and her way of life.
Abortion in the UK: scientific and moral incrimination | Nelly Huszcza
It can be quite disturbing to think that in an enlightened, rational country like the UK, with a society that holds tolerance and compassion as the highest forms of virtue, over 200 000 fragile lives were still killed just in 2018 by abortion. Worse, when the heart of the Hippocratic oath insists on the doctors’ duty to save lives, it seems very ironic that abortions today are branded as healthcare, and are almost entirely funded by our National Health Service.
Pornography is a public health crisis | Jack Hadfield
We have to address the widespread sexualisation of society that pushes young women and girls towards those who want to exploit them for quick cash. A society that celebrates “sex-workers” and praises sleeping around is not going to be one that sees pornography for what it is. We cannot ignore the cultural roots behind the problem, but they are far harder to fix. Only by returning to a society that values far more than simple hedonistic pleasures will we ever be truly able to end the pornography epidemic once and for all.