Do the Tories really hate the poor?

The use of food banks is rising, homelessness is soaring and a quarter of children in the UK live in poverty. The Conservatives aren't doing well to prove otherwise

A general election has been announced. Parliament has been dissolved and, as is now par for the course in contests of power, the campaigns are characterised by hateful rhetoric, duplicity and diversion tactics.

As the country laments yet another campaign steeped in moneyed lies set to shadow the festive season, once again, it is the most misfortuned by Conservative policies being further maligned and misappropriated as sound bites for polling points.

Francesca O’Brien, a Tory candidate in Gower, South Wales, wrote on Facebook in 2014 that the participants in the Channel 4 programme, ‘Benefits Street’ were “unreal” and “need putting down”. We are all guilty of making remarks “off the cuff”, but the irony in then standing for a party responsible for exacerbating the greatest social inequality in a generation, cannot be lost. Rather than calling for reform of services and improved resources for the impoverished, she stands for them, compounding the marginalisation of those forced to rely on them.

Since the 2010 coalition, austerity has left those on the lowest economic rung, clinging white-knuckled to the last vestiges of human dignity. Universal Credit is currently being overhauled as a welfare pillar championing employability. As a result, it now provides little more than a fleeting cushion for the indigent. The accounts of its recipients lay bare the reality of people – many of whom have disabilities and dependants – living in darkness, without heat or food. Cuts to social care have dissipated hope, as mental illness overwhelms and services of support are slashed.

O’Brien’s callous remarks coming to light was swiftly followed by Jacob Rees-Mogg wading in on Grenfell. He had already stated in 2017 that food banks are not endemic of a failing society, but “rather uplifting” as a sign of humanity, “showing what a compassionate country we are.”

Perhaps his comments in reference to Grenfell will have him ousted from his position as Leader of the House of Commons. Perhaps the Conservative Party will take heed of national objection to his critique. Or perhaps the victims of that avoidable inferno were just too poor, too representative of a technicolour society in the face of border restrictions and British homogeny, for the Tory party to care. It is reported that some survivors of Grenfell have been rehoused in another equally hazardous building. I would suggest that decision “lacks common sense”.

Andrew Bridgen, MP for North West Leicestershire, predictably excused Rees-Mogg’s statement, suggesting that he would have known to defy the fire brigade’s advice because (due to self-belief in his intrinsic intelligence) he was cleverer than those who died. Thwarting the advice of authority is yet another privilege afforded to the white and wealthy.

The arrogance is unabashed and perpetuates the notion that private education, though often believed to be a bastion of learned thought, is in reality a breeding ground for venality and nepotism, apathy and entitled white, male privilege; That paid-for education is superior to that which is underfunded by those who themselves have not been through a state education.

The constant patronisation of poorer people is emblematic of Tory theory and its continual subjugation of the working class: Work hard, live in poverty; work harder, blame the poorer.

With the prime minister a former member of the Bullingdon Club, where a rumoured initiation involves burning money in front of the homeless, is it any wonder that homelessness is rising? It may be obviously counterproductive to demand money from those who quite literally live in the clothes on their back, but those on our streets are now threatened with on the spot fines.

The revelation that the Conservative’s 2015 pledge to deliver 200,000 new starter homes has not yet resulted in one single home being built surprises no-one. Against a backdrop of mounting private rents and privatised social housing, it’s plain to see that the Conservatives’ concerns do not lie with those on an average household income.

The use of food banks is rising, homelessness is soaring and a quarter of children in the UK live in poverty; it is difficult to see how the Tory elite can appeal to a majority. In the run-up to the election, it’s important that the projection of the Conservative Party as floppy and affable, bumbling and Brexiteer, does not distract from the policies they preserve. It is not more of the last nine years we need, but compassion – on the streets, through the ballot boxes, and in our government.

I’m yet to see a Conservative policy that does more for most and not the few, the elite – those exactly like them. It's important that these politicians do not continue to contribute to the howls of desolation from those made vulnerable by their seemingly purposefully uncaring party.