From Marxist-Trotskyist to Christian conservative: the ideological journey of Peter Hitchens
He once campaigned for the far-left and identified as a Marxist-Trotskyist. Today, Peter Hitchens is one of Britain's most formidable conservative voices, defending the Church of England, the monarchy, and the necessity of tradition against what he calls a progressive cultural revolution.
The political evolution of Peter Hitchens is marked by a profound shift in conviction. In his youth, Hitchens was a member of the International Socialists and a supporter of the Labour Party. However, the 1990s saw a transition toward a brand of conservatism shaped by Burkean scepticism, Christian moral teaching, and 'Anglo-Gaullist' national self-assertion. This journey included a period of membership in the Conservative Party between 1997 and 2003, though he has since become a fierce critic of the party, viewing it as an obstacle to true conservatism and 'indistinguishable' from Blairite New Labour.
Hitchens's critiques often target the erosion of long-standing British institutions. He argues that the 'progressive cultural revolution' since the 196 and the rise of atheism have systematically undermined the social order. His writings, such as 'The Abolition of Britain' (1999) and 'The Rage Against God' (2010), examine the decline of values, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the impact of liberalisation in family law and drug policy. He is a staunch advocate for the reintroduction of grammar schools and academic selection, arguing that both the left and the modern right oppose them for conflicting, self-serving reasons.
Beyond domestic policy, Hitchens's journalism has spanned the globe, from reporting on the Soviet Union's final months to the Somali Civil War. His views on international conflict are often contrarian; he opposed the NATO intervention in Kosovo and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Even historical narratives are subject to his scrutiny, as seen in 'The Phoney Victory' (2018), where he challenges the myth of the Second World War's legacy, suggesting Britain's entry into the conflict contributed to its subsequent national decline.
Source: Peter Hitchens
