A question

I think loyalty to party is a funny thing. I know that I should resign my membership of the labour party because they have recently made decisions that I so fundamentally disagree with, however I can feel the pull of a 30 year loyalty and I havent done it yet. So I can understand why Tory voters may feel that way.

I think Conservativeism (is that a word?) is based on economic policy and Labour is based on social policies. LibDem a bit of both. Conservatives thinking that if the economy is in a good shape everything else follows. And Labour thinking that if people are healthy and happy they’ll work harder and the economy will benefit. Or is that too simplistic?

growstuff I don't know what values they have. Those who are clinging on would have to be the ones to tell you.

MayBee70

I think Conservativeism (is that a word?) is based on economic policy and Labour is based on social policies. LibDem a bit of both. Conservatives thinking that if the economy is in a good shape everything else follows. And Labour thinking that if people are healthy and happy they’ll work harder and the economy will benefit. Or is that too simplistic?

People might think that, but the "economy" hasn't been in good shape, using a number of common indicators, under Conservative governments. Asset holders (including property owners) have done well, but the remaining people have paid the price.

The economy has performed well enough to benefit a critical number of voters, but looking at the economy as a whole for all of the population, it's performed abysmally. That's why the emphasis under this government has been on cultural identity issues. Covid notwithstanding, the economic performance over the last 12 years of Conservative government doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

FarNorth

growstuff I don't know what values they have. Those who are clinging on would have to be the ones to tell you.

I was hoping they would tell me because I don't know either.

The Liberal Democrats have an ideology that draws on both the liberal and social democratic traditions.

The party is primarily social liberal, supporting redistribution but sceptical of increasing the power of the state, emphasising the link between equality and liberty.

The party supports investment and progressive taxation, but also promotes civil liberties and a less centralised economy.

This distinguishes the party from many liberal parties elsewhere in Europe that are instead dominated by classical liberalism. By comparison, the Liberal Democrats support a mixed economy and have sometimes opposed privatisation.

The party spans the centre and centre-left, and has emphasised each aspect at different times. The public have traditionally viewed the party as centre-left, though during the Cameron–Clegg coalition they were seen as centrist.

On economic issues, the party has usually been positioned between the Conservatives and the Labour Party, though typically closer to the Labour Party.

There is a degree of ideological diversity among members of the Liberal Democrats, with a wide range of opinions on most subjects.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Democrats_(UK)

Originally they were known as Tory but were always keen to not be particularly progressive and retain much as it was - to conserve existing privilege etc. Thus -the conservatives.

They tend to resist change and cling on to privilege etc. Small state and low taxes.

We would never have had the NHS or other welfare benefits . If the Tories had had their way, and of course it is being undermined constantly.

The Tories have never brought in anything of profound change that benefits the common man.

Main aim of the Tory party is to make the rich richer. If in the process the poor get poorer - tough!