The Common Sense Group is an informal group of Conservative MPs in the United Kingdom who advocate a range of ideals. The Guardian described the Common Sense Group as a "hard-right or culture war-sympathetic faction" group.[1]

Common Sense Group
FormationSummer 2018
President
Edward Leigh
Chairman
John Hayes
Vice Chairman
Tom Hunt
Parent organisation
Conservative Party

The group was inspired by the euro-sceptic European Research Group and has published a book, Common Sense: Conservative Thinking for a Post-Liberal Age.[2][3]

History edit

The Guardian said in November 2020 that the group "launched quietly in the summer with about 40 members ... and now has 59 MPs and 7 members of the House of Lords in its ranks".[2] Its president is Edward Leigh MP.[4]

The Common Sense Group has been said to be a revival of the Cornerstone Group, which appeared to be inactive after the 2019 elections (the source of the Cornerstone "About" page shows a last modified date in 2018).[5]

Following an interim report on the connections between colonialism and properties now in the care of the National Trust, including links with historic slavery, members of the group signed a letter to The Telegraph in November 2020. The letter accused the National Trust of being "coloured by cultural Marxist dogma, colloquially known as the woke agenda".[6]

The group's manifesto, Common Sense: Conservative Thinking for a Post-Liberal Age, was published in May 2021.[3] John Hayes MP wrote in the Preface, "With opportunities provided by Brexit, the time for a refreshed national conversation on the defining issues of our time – nationhood, community, migration, the rule of law and public order – is now."[7][8]

Members edit

Members of the group include:[6][7]

Members of Parliament:

Members of the House of Lords:

Others:

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Walker, Peter (28 December 2023). "Heavy election defeat could lead to Tory lurch to right, analysis shows". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b Bland, Archie; Elgot, Jessica (11 November 2020). "Dissatisfied Tory MPs flock to ERG-inspired pressure groups". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  3. ^ a b Steerpike (12 May 2022). "Tories unveil anti-woke manifesto". The Spectator. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  4. ^ Conference 2021: What's on? - Monday 4th October, Fringe Events - 8:30pm the Common Sense Group & Blue Collar Conservatives (PDF). 2021. p. 88. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  5. ^ "About us". Cornerstone. 20 June 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Will the police break up Armistice Day ceremonies on Wednesday?". The Telegraph. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2022. Letter to the Editor signed by Lee AndersonGareth BaconScott BentonBob BlackmanBen BradleyBrendan Clarke-SmithPhilip DaviesNick FletcherJonathan GullisSally-Ann HartJohn HayesTom HuntEdward LeighAndrew LewerChris LoderMarco LonghiCraig MackinlayKarl McCartneyPauline LathamDavid MorrisAndrew RosindellJames SunderlandMartin VickersGiles WatlingWilliam WraggBaroness EatonLord Lilley
  7. ^ a b Hayes, John (May 2021). Common Sense: Conservative Thinking for a Post-Liberal Age (pdf). Common Sense Group. Authors: Foreword: Michael Nazir-Ali • Preface: John Hayes • Essays: Gareth BaconJames Sunderland • David Maddox • Edward LeighSally-Ann HartDanny KrugerPeter LilleyMarco LonghiChris LoderTom HuntAndrew LewerJoy MorrisseyNick FletcherLord Horam of GrimsarghLord Hodgson of Astley AbbottsAlexander StaffordRobin MillarFiona BruceDavid Burrowes
  8. ^ Bale, Tim (25 May 2021). "Opinion: The Tory 'war on woke' has a manifesto – and its targets are crushingly familiar". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 May 2022.