Before the U.K. Conservatives are ejected from Westminster, it is worth noting how conservatism has changed during their 14 years in office, the emphasis moving from commercial to cultural, and from individualistic to communitarian. The “national service” plank in their current election platform was a surprise, but indicates that shift.

How enormous will the Tory defeat be? Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, is only one of many who suggest — or perhaps wish — that after the general election on July 4, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will move to his US$7-million beachfront penthouse in Santa Monica, Calif. Farage and his Reform are set to do what Preston Manning and his Reform did in Canada in 1993; hive off conservative votes from an already weak Conservative governing party, leading to an electoral calamity.