Rate My Tory

HAVE you ever wondered who the top ten climate change deniers in the Conservative party are? Or which Tory MPs voted against equal gay rights?

RateMyTory.org.uk is a new website from Progress with one simple aim – rate every Tory candidate against ten progressive categories and give them a Progressive Rating ahead of the next election.

From the hunting ban and abortion laws to House of Lords reform and public service investment, RateMyTory aims to comprehensively profile by the election every vote, quote and opinion of all 650 Conservative candidates and discover whether they really have changed from their ‘nasty party’ image.

David Cameron may have said his party “are progressive Conservatives. Our goal is a fairer, safer, greener country where opportunity is more equal”, but do his candidates live up to his claim?

Given our name, it makes sense for Progress, a left-wing pressure group, to take on the challenge of finding out.

Would you vote for someone who listed a white supremacist as a political hero? That’s what Philip Lardner, PPC for Ayrshire North and Arran, said about the racist former Rhodesian leader adding, “I am confident Ian Smith was a good man, you stand by your friends.”

Would you like to be represented by one of only five MPs who voted against the Climate Change Bill? How progressive is Edward Leigh, the MP for Gainsborough who tabled an amendment to stop the repeal of Section 28? And what about Aylesbury MP David Lidington, accused of racism for saying Britain should introduce visas for Caribbean visitors to “try preventing ‘Yardie’ gangsters from entering the country”.

Don’t let these Tories stay hidden beneath Cameron’s progressive rhetoric. Use RateMyTory to read, share and contribute to the project that lifts the lid on Cameron’s Conservatives.

We Need You!

RateMyTory is a firm believer in the power of crowd-sourcing. 

From candidate’s speeches you’ve heard to local news stories you’ve read or even leaflets through your letterbox – every piece of information you can give us will help us put Cameron’s candidates under the microscope. Simply post any information you have on a candidate in the comment box at the bottom of their page.

For more information, read our FAQ.

About Progress

Progress is an independent organisation of Labour party members, set up in 1996, which aims to promote a radical and progressive politics for the 21st century. Progress seeks to discuss, develop and advance the means to create a more free, equal and democratic Britain which plays an active role in Europe and the wider world. Go to the Progress website for more information: www.progressonline.org.uk

RateMyTory was the brainchild of Jessica Asato, Acting Director of Progress and a council candidate for Islington in the 2010 local elections. Jess was concerned that the word ‘progressive’ had been hijacked by David Cameron and his Conservatives without anyone interrogating what it meant to be a progressive. Combined with an influx of new Conservative candidates, unknown to the commentariat or citizenry, Jess thought it might be interesting to find out just how progressive these so called ‘new Tories’ were. Some of them do rate highly. Welcome fellow progressives. Most of them don’t. Check out your local candidate and add extra details where you can.

RateMyTory is researched and edited by Rob Macpherson, a journalist and political freelance writer.  

Extra research on all candidates carried out by Progress staff including: Simon Jeffrey, Bhumi Purohit, George Stoate & David Talbot.

Design help courtesy of Soapbox Communications