Right in theory, right in practice by Sir Malcolm Rifkind

Over the last ten years Conservative beliefs in liberty combined with responsibility; in free enterprise as the main source of wealth; in choice and competition as the provider of quality; and in strong defence and law and order; have become the common currency of other political parties even if their commitment is superficial and opportunistic. The Tory Party, however, remains, for the time being, in the doldrums, as silent as a painted ship upon a painted ocean.

Part of the explanation is that we have not fully understood how the political firmament has been shifting underneath our feet. It has been conventional, for many years, to think of political opinions as running along a one-dimensional line, from left to right. At the moderate left sat the Labour Party; at the moderate right the Conservatives. The Liberal Democrats popped up at various points, according to the mood of the day. To the victor in the battle for the central part of the line went the spoils of electoral success.

This has been a powerfully entrenched image. But it no longer applies as it did.