The Tory Party failed to turn

The arc of history is long, but it bends towards Bobby J

The study of history is littered with turning points. The discovery of the New World, the Protestant Reformation, World War Two, the Battles of Marathon, Hasting, Tours, Blenheim.

Although they litter history just as much, the study of turning points at which history failed to turn is almost non-existent. The phrase was coined by historian A.J.P. Taylor in his writing on the Revolutions of 1848, noting that "German history reached its turning point and failed to turn." To that failed Springtime of Nations we can add the Decembrist Revolt, the Paris Commune, the Hungarian Revolution and the Tiananmen Square Protests. We might consider the Conservative Party Leadership election of 2024, too.

Robert Jenrick crested a wave of the new right, was backed by the overwhelming majority of young – whatever that means in the Conservative Party – members, including some of the most perceptive, erudite, promising, influential, handsome and terminally online figures (ahem).

Jenrick’s appeal was clear to see; he reflected a widespread desire for systemic change, not only in the party but across the right and the nation. It was almost an open repudiation of the last 14 years – and a recognition of the new contours of the right.