Tory Pride and Prejudice

Tory Pride and Prejudice: The Conservative Party and Homosexual Law Reform

Michael McManus

Biteback Publishing | 552pp | £20

Michael McManus has written a passionate book which is well researched and deeply informative on homosexuality and the Conservative party. He is both harsh on his party and soft on what it could have done. But he can be forgiven for this because, in the end, he gives the credit to those who had the courage of their convictions to ignore the mainstream views of the Tory party.

The book is another powerful reminder to those who enjoy the fruits of equality, but who were not around, of the vicious battle fought in the teeth of tabloid hysteria and defamation. In the 1980s it was the depiction of HIV/AIDS as a ‘gay plague’ that helped generate political momentum within the Thatcher government for the notorious anti-gay legislation, Section 28. As David Cameron sought to detarnish the image of the Conservatives it was somewhat ironic that he and his party fought to the last ditch to retain Section 28 up until Labour finally managed to abolish it in 2003.

Here, too, is where I have some problems with McManus’ approach. He gives credit to his party for having the good sense to change its attitudes towards a much-maligned minority but gives no credit to Labour for delivering equality before the law.

The Major government did undertake two reforms and gave parliament time to try to equalise the male age of consent, but the party was never with him and it fell to the likes of courageous Tories such as Edwina Currie, Robin Squire, John Bowis, Michael Brown and Shaun Woodward to fight within their own party on the issue. Indeed, the last crossed the floor in defence of his principles.

The Tories have certainly changed their mind on LGBT rights but it is a battle that had to be undertaken by Labour. Tony Blair never flinched in leading on the issue, despite the organised attacks from the Catholic church, the rightwing media, the Church of England, and so-called Christian organisations. Every step of the way for the Labour party has been a long-running battle. Has the Tory party really changed? Or has it found another outlet as it now pursues the populist victim, the Human Rights Act?

We must judge not on what is said or written but on how politicians vote. Nothing else speaks louder.