I’m fairly politically-minded and am active in my local Conservative Party. I’m hoping to stand as councillor for my local council in May 2006.

This category will be mostly devoted to expounding conservative ideology; it is my attempt to clarify (in my mind as well as in anybody else’s) the underlying philosophy of conservatism. Most people’s only memorable brush with conservatism came courtesy of Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. Mrs T’s conservative credentials were largley economic however - and in that area she was actually as much a libertarian as anything else.

I find myself on the more ‘purist’ wing of the philosophy. I’m all for adaptation to current circumstances but that should mean simply altering our emphases at a particular time or changing our approach to better fit with prevailing circumstances or being more imaginative in our approach to tough challenges.

That should not mean jettisoning the conservative idea, the fundamental view of life that recognises the superiority of individuals, family and community over bureaucrats, officials and government. It should not mean abandoning the principles of responsibility and accountability and right and wrong.

The conservative outlook is an optimistic one, one that believes fully in the ability of people to create for themselves, their families and their communities lives wholly appropriate for their time, their circumstances, their beliefs, their aspirations and their dreams.

It is this message that I will try to develop over time. I’m sure it will be an interesting endeavour…