Month: April 2026

The Margaret Thatcher Centre – Freedom Festival 2026

The weekend of the 21/22 March saw the 4th Annual Margaret Thatcher Centre – Freedom Festival in Buckingham.  These are great events we would highly recommend.  Over the past few years these have moved from being very Conservative (as in the party) based to more conservative (as in the philosophy) #with a growing acceptance that there are now two parties with memberships that largely believe in liberty, rule of law, a strong nation, and economic liberty.

A strong theme of this year’s event was bringing the right together.

Below are some notes from the weekend.  Where I’ve used quotes, these were taken down as notes to the best of my ability and memory and might not be 100% accurate. 

“44p in every £1 is spent by government.
We are 16 out of 18 countries in the OECD for Cancer survival rates.
No UK Chancellor has balanced the books in 26 years.”

Andrew Griffith MP, Shadow Business Secretary

Where we are today:

  • In 1998 the UK was 9th in the world for GDP per capita.  We are no longer in the top 20.
  • 44p in every £1 is spent by government.
  • We are 16 out of 18 countries in the OECD for Cancer survival rates.
  • No UK Chancellor has balanced the books in 26 years.
  • Every UK taxpayer carries £76K of government debt.

What we need:

  • Energy abundance, Flexible Labour Market, and Low Taxes.
  • Unblocking of the North Sea.
  • Take a chainsaw to regulation like Milei in Argentina.
  • We need to fall back in love with risk taking.
  • Every interaction with the HMRC to have a first name and surname from the department to drive accountability.

Panel Discussion: Is the Conservative Party Dead?

Among other things the panel discussed the following:

  • We have a Conservative Party where a lot of MPs voted to allow abortion up to Birth and asked if this is Conservative.
  • There was a general belief the party needed more democracy.

Panel Discussion: Uniting the Right? Lessons from America and Canada

Among other things the panel discussed the following:

  • People like Trump in the UK but largely the issue is not salient / people don’t care.  This may change with the war in Iran.
  • “You have to disagree, but you don’t have to be disagreeable”.
  • “Hate this trend where having views, even sound views, is the same as running a government department – it is not”.

Lord Frost – How Can Britain Recover?

  • Borrowing north of £100 billion a year.
  • We don’t have a say on all the laws in Northern Ireland.
  • We have an establishment that doesn’t see the benefit of national independence and are ill at ease with it.
  • “If Italy governs itself badly at least it still has the food, landscape and weather.  If Britain governs itself badly, what have you got?”
  • “We’ve moved from a world where Warden Hodges was a figure of fun to one where Covid clipboard Marshalls were valid”.
  • We “need to present freedom as empowerment”.

“There is no moral equivalence between a democracy defending itself and terrorists targeting civilians”

Sir Conor Burns, Chairman, The Margaret Thatcher Centre

  • They “sort the adulation of those who would never vote Conservative”.
  • “Members of Parliament have swapped power for status”.
  • “I have nothing against special advisors with their illustrious careers in Central Office, all 3 years of them”.

 Greg Smith MP, Mid-Buckinghamshire

  • Pointed out how we should always be on the side of Israel a democracy under attack.
  • “There is no moral equivalence between a democracy defending itself and terrorists targeting civilians”.

Laila Cunningham, London Mayoral Candidate, Reform UK

  • Spoke about the Free Market and asked “who serves who?”
  • Also, the need to reintroduce Community Policing in London.
  • “Two tier travel” in London, “those who can afford ULEZ and those who can’t”.
  • We “need to stop the was on motorists”.

“Two tier travel” in London, “those who can afford ULEZ and those who can’t”

Jack Rankin MP, Windsor

  • Talked about the need for “Muscular integration”.
  • He also noted the gender split among 6th formers between boys (Reform) and girls (Greens).

Panel Discussion: The Death of Free Speech in Starmer’s Britain

“You should be able to live your lives free to send hamster memes to regulators”

The Freedom Dinner had Lord Hannan as the main speaker.  He started the speech mentioning that 2026 is the 250th Anniversary of the unrest in the American colonies, but also Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations.

On a personal note it was fascinating to be sat next to Sir Ivan Lawrence KC an MP for over 20 years, someone who variously led or played a part in the defence of Stephen Ward in the Profumo trials, the Kray’s Dennis Nilsen, and the Brink’s-Mat robbery.

Peter Just Author, Margaret Thatcher: Life After Downing Street

  • Spoke about Maggie’s 7 Principles (of which I captured 5).
    • Liberty
    • Sound Money
    • Rule of Law
    • Strong National Defence
    • Strong Economy
  • Spoke about her successful plan for and export of privatisation.

“The 2 main parties of the last 100 years can’t get 40% between them.  We have 1980’s Italian politics.”

Panel Discussion: The Future of the Right

  • “Huge clear out needed of Conservative MPs to the left on immigration of the Tory voters and the public”.

Mark Littlewood, Director, Popular Conservatism

  • “The 2 main parties of the last 100 years can’t get 40% between them.  We have 1980’s Italian politics.”

In Conversation: Donal Blaney and Tim Montgomerie

  • Tim noted: “If you look at local government by-elections, I expect Reform to do well in May”.

Also thanks for Tim Aker, Gawain Towler, Paul Bristow, Will Yarwood, David Campbell Bannerman, Catherine McBride OBE, Tim Scott, and Giles Dilnot and others for some fascinating conversations and input around the event. 

“We need to fall back in love with risk taking”

Sandy Mcdougall, SDP candidate for Clapham Park ward in Lambeth.

With local elections across London in May, we speak with Sandy Mcdougall, SDP candidate for Clapham Park ward in London Borough of Lambeth.

“I don’t think local authorities should have positions on international affairs. The focus should be resolutely local”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run?

I am 59 years old. I’m Scottish and have lived in London since 1990, in Lambeth since 1996. I work in local government. I decided to run as I think I could make a positive contribution to my local area, and a loss of faith in how local government is being run at the moment. For instance, I don’t think local authorities should have positions on international affairs. The focus should be resolutely local. 

“I will push the Council and Ringway to fix pavement hazards fast, including autumn leaf build-up.”

You’re the prospective candidate for Clapham Park ward. What are the main concerns in the area?

Community safety: ASB and crime

  • I will work with the Safer Neighbourhoods Team for patrols, ANPR at hotspots, and Community Trigger action on persistent ASB.

Local environment: fly-tipping and pavements

  • I will push the Council and Ringway to fix pavement hazards fast, including autumn leaf build-up.
  • On fly-tipping, I will target hotspots with covert cameras, demand rapid removals, and act against repeat offenders.

Regeneration and amenities

  • I will press for shops and facilities to open early, so services keep pace with new homes.
  • Kings Avenue Hub: deliver the community centre and retail/leisure on time.
  • Market Square: get it active early with pop-ups and events.
  • Commercial strategy: prioritise affordable units for independents.

I will support resident-led initiatives and attend the Residents Committee quarterly.

More widely what do you see as the major issues that if elected you hope to champion?

My approach is to focus on ward priorities and core services, delivering value for money.

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?

I am on X – @SandyMcD_SDP and more information on the SDP can be found on our website – https://sdp.org.uk.

“My approach is to focus on ward priorities and core services, delivering value for money”

Steve Gardner, SDP candidate for Hillingdon East ward in London Borough of Hillingdon.

With local elections across London in May, we speak with Steve Gardner, SDP candidate for Hillingdon East ward in London Borough of Hillingdon.

“People want to and have a right to feel safe in their community and homes. We do have a safer neighbourhood team for the ward, but this is understaffed and overworked”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run?

My name is Steve Gardner and I’m standing for the SDP in the London ward of Hillingdon East, where I live along with most of my family.

You’re the prospective candidate for Hillingdon East ward, what are the major concerns in the area?

From speaking to those who live in the area and from my own observations, I would say the main concerns are community safety, HMO overdevelopment and fly tipping. Obviously, there are others, but these are three that come up quite often.

Hillingdon East is quite a nice place to live but there are anti-social issues that need addressing. People want to and have a right to feel safe in their community and homes. We do have a safer neighbourhood team for the ward, but this is understaffed and overworked. I don’t think this problem is just in this ward; I think it’s common all over London. More must be done when it comes to community Policing and safety.

“making it cheaper for commercial waste to be disposed of at local refuse sites might help to reduce fly tipping so there is a lot to consider”

HMOs are another major concern, especially with the migrant hotels closing. We are quite close to Heathrow and there are a few migrant hotels there so the Borough as a whole is under pressure to accommodate not just its own residents, but many others that have ended up here. There are a few HMO applications in the ward and to be honest, it’s difficult for the infrastructure to accommodate them. Additionally, HMO’s result in a loss of family housing, an increase in waste management, an increase in tenant turnover which can lead to an increase in noise and anti-social behaviour and an increase in parking issues and traffic. Most houses accommodate two car families, but HMOs can have up to four or five cars.

As for fly tipping, this is common all over the borough and so much more needs to be done. Installing covert cameras in known hotspots and increased penalties are needed and the seizure and crushing of vehicles involved needs to be rigorously enforced. Additionally, making it cheaper for commercial waste to be disposed of at local refuse sites might help to reduce fly tipping so there is a lot to consider.

More widely what do you see as the big issues for the London Borough of Hillingdon and what if elected what would you hope to champion?

According to residents and local reports, the biggest issues in the London Borough of Hillingdon include a severe shortage of affordable housing and high homelessness rates, rising antisocial behavior and concerns over high-density, low-quality Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). People are also concerned about the state of the Council’s finances and the Heathrow expansion.

I would certainly champion a more robust Policing policy as this, in my opinion, would do a lot to alleviate many problems people are concerned about. The politicians have massively let down the Police who have been unable to carry out their jobs properly. They should be supported, backed and encouraged to proactively police our communities to make them safer.

Additionally, I’m passionate about a sense of community so affordable housing with priority given to Hillingdon residents is also high on my list. Cheaper housing is also an SDP policy which we have been championing for years.

“I’m passionate about a sense of community so affordable housing with priority given to Hillingdon residents is also high on my list”

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?

I’m on social media so either on my twitter page @SGardnerSDP, or via Facebook @SDPNWLondon. 

I can also be contacted via email on steve.gardner@sdp.org.uk

More information on the SDP can be found on our website – https://sdp.org.uk.