Ben Houchen is the Mayor of the Tees Valley and host of the Blueprint podcast.
Tom Tugendhat becomes the latest guest to feature on The Blueprint, the podcast which delivers in-depth conversations with the key figures shaping the future of centre-right politics in the UK.
This third episode continues the series of interviews with each of the candidates vying for the leadership of the Conservative Party.
Tom Tugendhat, Shadow Minister for Security and former Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, is well known for his distinguished military career, affable demeanor and his hawkish views on the threats posed by China.
But notably during this podcast, Tugendhat pushes back on the view that his personal politics put him on the left wing of the Conservative Party arguing that the very terms “left” and “right” are rooted in socialism and no longer relevant in 21st century Britain.
Indeed it emerges in conversation that Tugendhat doesn’t believe there is much political distance between himself and Nigel Farage – something which may come as a shock to many Conservative Home readers, yet makes more sense as the podcast develops.
Tugendhat explains his belief that today’s political landscape requires a more nuanced understanding of the issues, focusing less on outdated labels and more on the pragmatic solutions that modern conservatism can offer.
Speaking on The Blueprint, Tugendhat said: ‘I think we should be careful of using our opposition’s terms because it shapes us into blocks and the truth is conservatism is fundamentally about what makes Britain work.
“We’re not ideologues like the socialists – we haven’t got some eternal vision of the future perfect Britain where everyone is equal, everyone’s wearing a little blue cap and Mao jackets and all the rest of it. That’s not what we’re about.
“What we’re about is whatever works to make you, your family safer, happier and more prosperous.”
It is likely that this discussion will change perceptions and could well throw up a few dilemmas for members who thought they knew what a Tom Tugendhat future looked like.
Beyond ideology, Houchen explores Tugendhat’s views on leadership, in which he leans heavily on the influence of General Richards who he served as assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff.
From this it is also evident how his commitment to public service has been shaped by this military background both as an officer in the Territorial Army and as a military assistant and how his experiences from the basis for his views on national security, the importance of strengthening the UK’s global standing, and the role that a united Conservative Party must play in addressing the challenges of the future.
This episode will reveal a side to Tom Tugenhadt that to date has not been seen for many. He is considered, interesting and has put himself side by side with the candidates perceived to be more to the right of the party
With its continued focus on honest and in-depth discussions, The Blueprint offers listeners an exclusive look at the individuals who are shaping the Conservative Party’s future.
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