In response to The Conservative Woman: 12 Principles for a 21st century conservatism, Graham Wood wrote:
I’m somewhat surprised not to see in JP’s list any reference to one vital ingredient of historic Conservatism, namely freedom (of speech, of thought, association, and conscience). Maybe he assumes these under ‘The fundamental assumptions of Western civilisation are valid.’ What I would like to see is a clear declaration of the superb principle enshrined in our (English) common law, i.e. all is permitted unless directly forbidden by law, as long as others are not threatened thereby. In today’s political climate of repression this cannot be overstated. Inclusion of this principle would at once knock all PC censorship by government or any other body on the head. No doubt we could add or subtract from his list for ever more – but IMO this should be a fundamental ingredient.
