Holding out for a hero

On idols and heroism

I recently enjoyed Lee David Evans’ essay for UnHerd on the potential heroes of the Conservative Party. Like me, he found the answers of the leadership candidate noticeably recent and skewed towards Anglo-American politics. His piece rightfully explores the other names and ideas that emanate further back in the party’s history. This history has largely been forgotten by the tendency in the party to think that politics began in 1979. Beyond that, a different, bigger question has been playing on my mind – what counts as political heroism, and what would it mean for any party today?

The original question pitched to the leaders probably didn’t contemplate it. It, and the answers, could easily have replaced the word “hero” with “idol” or even “favourite”. Much of the admiration was for effectiveness – winning elections, getting things done – as much as heroism. In a time of increased cynicism and scepticism about politicians, it is perhaps worth wondering what something more inspiring might look like and how we find it in our politics.

After all, in its current crisis, the Conservative Party needs not just the figures to inspire it but many qualities that amount to heroism. That’s not simply about reinvigorating electoral fortunes but something deeper. It needs to find its boldness, integrity, and sense of selflessness. These qualities are sometimes barriers to, rather than facilitators of, electoral success, making them laudable and valued. A meaningful conversation about this may help correct some of the errors of its recent past.