Miriam Cates, a rising Conservative Party MP, has outlined the severe demographic challenge facing the UK due to falling birthrates. The issue was brought to the forefront at a popularly themed gathering held in London, where Cates emphasized the urgency of the situation. During this conference, hosted by a US-based think tank, Cates highlighted the existential risk Western nations face from plummeting fertility rates. She suggested that the root of this issue lies in unsupportive tax policies towards families and a lack of affordable housing in the UK.
Recognized as a promising figure among Tory MPs with a keen interest in societal issues, Cates also criticized the growing trend of young people pursuing higher education, the diminishing value placed on motherhood, and the negative influence she believes is impacting the younger generation. Cates argued at the event in Westminster, "Stability in housing, employment, and the support of one's family, community, and country are not the only prerequisites to raising a family."
She added, "The future must also be promising. However, this promise seems elusive to many of our young people today, due to the inability of liberal individualism to resist a so-called 'cultural Marxism' that is gradually undermining the spirit of our youngsters.”
"Cultural Marxism," a term linked to conspiracy theories and often associated with far-right and antisemitic sentiments, was used by Cates in her address. The Board of Deputies of British Jews has previously expressed their disapproval of this term when it was used by Home Secretary Suella Braverman in a 2019 address.
In Cates' view, the declining birthrate is "the most significant threat to British conservatism, and the entirety of Western society," even overshadowing worries about climate change or geopolitical threats from Russia or China.
Cates expressed skepticism towards expanded childcare and the introduction of no-fault divorce, suggesting that the increasing number of university attendees contributes to the declining birthrate. She stated, "Many graduates are saddled with debt, which hinders their ability to buy a house and start a family. The significant time and resources dedicated to education pose challenges, particularly for women, when deciding the right time to have children.”
The conference, colloquially known as NatCon, hosted numerous speakers supporting populist ideologies, echoing the beliefs of figures like Viktor Orbán and Donald Trump. Among these was Ohio Senator JD Vance, a Trump supporter, who participated remotely.
Yoram Hazony, the Israeli-American force behind the NatCon organization, expressed his worries post-Cates' speech about the UK being infiltrated by "neo-Marxist" influencers aiming to detach Britons from their historical roots. He advocated for the reinstatement of mandatory military service.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, a former cabinet minister, used his platform to articulate a scholarly case for national conservatism and to discuss the complexities of contemporary UK politics. He expressed his dissatisfaction with Rishi Sunak's unfulfilled promise to revoke any EU-origin laws by the year's end, while also urging people to support the prime minister, arguing that "the alternative is far worse."
Rees-Mogg, the former business secretary, drew parallels between his party’s introduction of mandatory voter ID and a failed attempt at political maneuvering, likening it to Labour’s proposal to extend voting rights to long-set established EU nationals residing in the UK.
Q&A Section:
Question: What are the factors contributing to the declining birthrate in the UK according to Miriam Cates?
Answer: Miriam Cates, a rising Conservative MP, attributes the declining birthrate in the UK to factors such as unsupportive family-friendly tax policies, a lack of affordable housing, the growing trend of young people pursuing higher education, and the diminishing value placed on motherhood.
Question: What did Miriam Cates suggest as the most significant threat to British conservatism and Western society?
Answer: Cates argued that the declining birthrate is the most significant threat to British conservatism and the entirety of Western society, surpassing other concerns such as climate change and geopolitical threats from Russia or China.
Question: How did Miriam Cates view the trend of increasing university attendance?
Answer: Cates expressed skepticism towards the trend of increasing university attendance. She suggested that many graduates are saddled with debt, which hinders their ability to buy a house and start a family. She also noted that the significant time and resources dedicated to education pose challenges, particularly for women, when deciding the right time to have children.
Question: What did Jacob Rees-Mogg discuss during the conference?
Answer: Jacob Rees-Mogg, a former cabinet minister, articulated a scholarly case for national conservatism and discussed the complexities of contemporary UK politics.
