The smoking ban is emblematic of how the Tories lost their way

Tobacco Bill at the House of Lords. Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images

The generational smoking ban shows what happens when Conservatives go against their instincts, says Karl McCartney

When you are fortunate enough to be elected as an MP you have many issues that you might wish to pursue. In my and many of my former colleagues’ cases, these issues reflected basic Conservative values, encompassing a range of traditional and pragmatic ideas.

Unfortunately, my Party, the Conservative Party, spent our time in office poorly, passing some laws that were far from Conservative. Our failings emboldened those in the supporting casts of the Civil Service and quangos… also known as “The Establishment”.

This is important. The Labour Party has parked its tanks on our lawn; they have not needed too, b