Blue Collar Conservative Caucus | |
|---|---|
| President | Esther McVey |
| Chairperson | Ben Bradley |
| Founded | 2012; 13 years ago (2012) byEsther McVey |
| Ideology | Conservatism Right-wing populism Social conservatism Euroscepticism |
| Political position | Right-wing |
| National affiliation | Conservative Party |
| Colours | Blue |
| House of Commons (Conservative seats until 2024) | 130 / 345 |
Blue Collar Conservatives are a pressure group andcaucus ofConservative PartyMembers of Parliament who identify asworking class conservatives. It was founded in 2012 by formercabinet ministerEsther McVey and a former conservative parliamentary candidate forWorkington and Fujitsu UK's head of corporate affairs, Clark Vasey.[1][2][3] It was relaunched at the beginning of the2019 Conservative Party leadership election by Esther McVey,Ben Bradley, the MP forMansfield since 2017, andScott Mann, the MP forNorth Cornwall since 2015. The relaunch was reported to have rivalled the recent establishment of theOne Nation Conservatives.[4]
As a group, they aim to "champion working people and develop a conservative agenda to benefit the voters and communities most neglected byLabour". In the weeks prior to becoming prime minister,Boris Johnson said, "the blue-collar conservatism agenda – particularly in relation to supporting schools, police and other public services [...] is something I've already signalled I want to take forward in government."[5] TheNew Statesman has described the caucus as an influential grouping within the parliamentary party.[6]
In October 2022, Esther McVey stood down as chair and was replaced byLee Anderson.[citation needed]
The group focus their campaigning on empoweringblue-collar workers and other working-class people. They have also campaigned onBrexit, public services,Education in the United Kingdom andlaw enforcement.[7] The values of the caucus focus on "Conservative Values, Practical Delivery" and were attributed to the result of the2019 general election, where the Conservatives won many seats in the "Red wall".[8][9]
Many in the caucus have supported cancellingHigh Speed 2.[10][11]
According to the group's website; the members/supporters of the caucus included:[12]
Since its relaunch, the group travelled to pubs across the country holding open events called 'Blue Collar Conversations' in which UK cabinet ministers and MPs discussed ideas and policies in an informal setting with members of the public. Speaking at one of those events, a member of the group is reported to have said: "The party needs to adopt the blue-collar Conservatism approach – travel to pubs across the country and reach out to the people… a pub-ocracy!"[13]
The group then launched a weekly podcast of the same name. The podcast is described as "a space to champion working people". New episodes are released every Sunday and cover a range of topical issues, from crime and justice to care homes and football, and the cosmetic industry to education. The podcast is hosted by Esther McVey and guests have includedNick Knowles,Ching He Huang,Toby Young,Linda Yueh,Tom Harwood,Chris Wright,Mark Radcliffe andBradford City A.F.C.; however, the podcast prides itself on also providing a platform for everyday working people.[14]
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