Earlier this week, former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and CSJ founder, Iain Duncan Smith MP, laid out the philosophical underpinnings of a modern day 'One Nation Conservatism', in a keynote speech at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington D.C.
During his remarks, Iain Duncan Smith challenged conservative thinkers to put 'respect' for the poorest at the heart of a new centre-right agenda, calling for Governments to make measurements of social progress as important as measuring GDP and growth.
Iain Duncan Smith challenged centre-right colleagues to dismantle so-called 'crony capitalism' arguing Conservatives should be more ready to criticise a system which rewards those at the very top whilst leaving the poorest behind. Conservative support for low taxation should be extended to the lowest paid and not simply for those at the top of the income scale.
Calling on Governments to support the family Iain Duncan Smith said 'the family is the best provider of welfare' and that support for the family should be a 'priority' rather than an 'afterthought', ensuring our interventions on the family 'are as bold as our rhetoric'.
In delivering this wide-ranging philosophical speech, Iain Duncan Smith has challenged fellow Conservatives to ensure everything they do is measured against a passion for reducing poverty and supporting the poorest.
To read a copy of Iain Duncan Smith's speech to the American Enterprise Institute click here
To read Iain Duncan Smith's Times Op-Ed, 'Conservatives must be biased towards poorest' click here (£)