Mikeuk

This idea of a ‘values statement’ is both inane and sinister. I recall something very similar being introduced when I worked for the Inland Revenue and it’s part of the Politically Correct agenda.

It’s inane because no political party is going to ‘serve and respect everyone in Britain’. The Tories are unlikely to show me much respect for a start, nor are they in the habit of showing respect to members of the Government, and I would certainly hope that they are not going to show respect for the likes of Peter Sutcliffe, Ian Brady and the thousands of other murderers, paedophiles and sundry criminals who are covered by the phrase ‘everyone in Britain’

It’s sinister because the whole idea of these ‘values statements’ is to say to employees, members etc ‘We the people who run this outfit have decided how you will think, and you will adhere to these ‘values’ or else…’

So by reference to this statement, any Tory who expressed legal but unfashionable views on religion, race etc could be thrown out simply for that reason.

I’m sure that Maude and Co will be wanting to extend the scope of this ‘creed’ in due course. I presume he and his pals excluded ‘sexual orientation’ at this stage purely in the expectation that this might get the whole thing thrown out.

Once the principle has been accepted that will be brought in by stealth, just as it was in the Civil Service. As local union rep I used to read the handbook amendments as they came in. I nearly fell off my seat when I read that we were all expected to 'respect' gays lesbians etc, something that was never in our contracts.

Watch out Tories...