Common Sense Group
| Formation | 2020 |
|---|---|
President | Edward Leigh |
Chairman | John Hayes |
Vice Chairman | Tom Hunt |
Parent organisation | Conservative Party |
| This article is part of a series on |
| Conservatism in the United Kingdom |
|---|
 |
The Common Sense Group is an informal group of MPs in the British Conservative Party. The Guardian described it as a hard-right group that was sympathetic to culture wars.[1] It was created in 2020, inspired by the European Research Group, a Eurosceptic Conservative faction. In 2021, it published a manifesto, Common Sense: Conservative Thinking for a Post-Liberal Age.
History
[edit]The Common Sense Group was created in mid-2020. By November, it included 59 MPs and seven members of the House of Lords.[2] Its president is Edward Leigh MP.[3]
Following an interim report on the connections between colonialism and properties now in the care of the National Trust, including links with historic slavery, members of the group signed a letter to The Telegraph in November 2020. The letter accused the National Trust of being "coloured by cultural Marxist dogma, colloquially known as the woke agenda".[4]
The group's manifesto, Common Sense: Conservative Thinking for a Post-Liberal Age, was published in May 2021.[5] John Hayes MP wrote in the Preface, "With opportunities provided by Brexit, the time for a refreshed national conversation on the defining issues of our time – nationhood, community, migration, the rule of law and public order – is now."[6][7]
Members
[edit]At their peak in November 2020, the Common Sense Group included the following luminaries, listed by the positions they held at the time: [4][6]
Conservative MPs
- Gareth Bacon (MP for Orpington since 2019)
- Bob Blackman (MP for Harrow East since 2010)
- Ben Bradley (MP for Mansfield 2017-2024)
- Fiona Bruce (MP for Congleton 2010-2024)
- David Burrowes (MP for Enfield Southgate 2005-2017)
- Brendan Clarke-Smith (MP for Bassetlaw 2019-2024)
- Philip Davies (MP for Shipley 2005-2024)
- Nick Fletcher (MP for Don Valley 2019-2024)
- Jonathan Gullis (MP for Stoke-on-Trent North 2019-2024)
- Sally-Ann Hart (MP for Hastings and Rye 2019-2024)
- John Hayes (MP for South Holland and the Deepings since 1997)
- Tom Hunt (MP for Ipswich 2019-2024)
- Danny Kruger (MP for East Wiltshire, previously Devizes, since 2019)
- Pauline Latham (MP for Mid Derbyshire 2010-2024)
- Edward Leigh (MP for Gainsborough since 1983)
- Andrew Lewer (MP for Northampton South 2017-2024)
- Chris Loder
- Marco Longhi
- Craig Mackinlay (MP for South Thanet 2015-2024)
- Karl McCartney (MP for Lincoln 2010-2024)
- Robin Millar
- David Morris
- Joy Morrissey (MP for Beaconsfield since 2019)
- Andrew Rosindell (MP for Romford since 2001)
- Alexander Stafford
- James Sunderland
- Martin Vickers
- Giles Watling (MP for Clacton 2015-2024)
- William Wragg (MP for Hazel Grove 2015-2024; resigned the Conservative Party whip April 2024)
Members of the House of Lords:
Others:
- Michael Nazir-Ali (former Anglican Bishop)
- David Maddox (journalist)
Lee Anderson was formerly a member of the group, prior to his defection to Reform UK.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Walker, Peter (28 December 2023). "Heavy election defeat could lead to Tory lurch to right, analysis shows". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ Bland, Archie; Elgot, Jessica (11 November 2020). "Dissatisfied Tory MPs flock to ERG-inspired pressure groups". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ Conference 2021: What's on? - Monday 4th October, Fringe Events - 8:30pm the Common Sense Group & Blue Collar Conservatives (PDF). 2021. p. 88. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Will the police break up Armistice Day ceremonies on Wednesday?". The Telegraph. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2022. Letter to the Editor signed by Lee Anderson • Gareth Bacon • Scott Benton • Bob Blackman • Ben Bradley • Brendan Clarke-Smith • Philip Davies • Nick Fletcher • Jonathan Gullis • Sally-Ann Hart • John Hayes • Tom Hunt • Edward Leigh • Andrew Lewer • Chris Loder • Marco Longhi • Craig Mackinlay • Karl McCartney • Pauline Latham • David Morris • Andrew Rosindell • James Sunderland • Martin Vickers • Giles Watling • William Wragg • Baroness Eaton • Lord Lilley
- ^ Steerpike (12 May 2021). "Tories unveil anti-woke manifesto". The Spectator. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ a b Hayes, John (May 2021). Common Sense: Conservative Thinking for a Post-Liberal Age (pdf). Common Sense Group. Authors: Foreword: Michael Nazir-Ali • Preface: John Hayes • Essays: Gareth Bacon • James Sunderland • David Maddox • Edward Leigh • Sally-Ann Hart • Danny Kruger • Peter Lilley • Marco Longhi • Chris Loder • Tom Hunt • Andrew Lewer • Joy Morrissey • Nick Fletcher • Lord Horam of Grimsargh • Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts • Alexander Stafford • Robin Millar • Fiona Bruce • David Burrowes
- ^ Bale, Tim (25 May 2021). "Opinion: The Tory 'war on woke' has a manifesto – and its targets are crushingly familiar". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- Conservative Party (UK) factions
- Euroscepticism in the United Kingdom
- Groups of British MPs
- Organizations established in 2020
- 2020 establishments in the United Kingdom
- Organisations associated with the Conservative Party (UK)
- Right-wing politics in the United Kingdom
- Right-wing populism in the United Kingdom