New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Politics
1 October 2014updated 26 Sep 2015 7:47am

What’s the deal with Tories and bricks?

If there's one thing a Conservative loves, it's a brick. Or maybe a bit of scaffolding.

By Media Mole

What’s the deal with the Tories and bricks?

The week before the party conference in Birmingham saw education secretary Nicky Morgan appearing in a photoshoot straight out of The Thick Of It, proudly holding a “brick of aspiration”:

Then Boris Johnson took a diversion on the way to conference, stopping in at Ibstock Brick in Staffordshire to admire some bricks being produced for new homes in London.

It was the least romantic remake of Ghost imaginable:

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Boris then waved a brick around during his speech the next day, emphasising that love ‘twixt man and brick was nothing to be ashamed of:


Photo: Getty Images

And, as many observers have noted, when there’s a chance to don a hard hat and a high-visibility vest, it’s impossible to get Gideon not to take it – especially when there’s a chance to fondle some big bits of wood:


Photo: Getty Images

The PM and his chancellor even took some time out yesterday to visit the ongoing construction work at Birmingham’s New Street Station, concrete and scaffolding and all:

This Mole can’t help but notice that the Tory love of construction is in stark contrast to the party’s record on the issue over the last few years. Maybe they just love bricks and mortar too much to go without handling them on a regular basis.

Which is fine, of course. But we wonder.

Content from our partners
Homes for all: how can Labour shape the future of UK housing?
The UK’s skills shortfall is undermining growth
<strong>What kind of tax reforms would stimulate growth?</strong>