--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Europe has been the Tory party's…" description: "\"Europe has been the Tory party's kryptonite for decades, sapping it of strength at key moments.\" — Clive Lewis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c3/clive-lewis-5613_europe_europe-has-been-the-tory-party-s-krypton_2383044.jpg" --- # Europe has been the Tory party's kryptonite for decades… ![“Europe has been the Tory party's kryptonite for decades, sapping it of strength at key moments.” quote by Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c3/clive-lewis-5613_europe_europe-has-been-the-tory-party-s-krypton_2383044.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c3/clive-lewis-5613_europe_europe-has-been-the-tory-party-s-krypton_2383044.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c3/clive-lewis-5613_europe_europe-has-been-the-tory-party-s-krypton_2383044.jpg) > “Europe has been the Tory party's kryptonite for decades, sapping it of strength at key moments.” [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Tory party has long struggled in Europe, losing influence during critical periods. **In simple terms:** Tories lose power in Europe. Key Takeaway Recognize and address European challenges. Themes politics Europe party dynamics election cycles Mood cautious analytical Type political commentary analysis When to use this quote - campaign strategy - policy formulation - public messaging - party reform Key Concepts strategic weakness electoral impact policy influence Questions to Reflect On - How can the Tories regain credibility in Europe? - What specific policies could reverse this trend? A Different Perspective European issues are complex and may resist simple fixes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/party/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [The Tory party must learn from its own history that when we fight each other, you can guarantee to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-soubry/the-tory-party-must-learn-from-its-own-history-that-when-we-fight/) [Anna Soubry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-soubry/) > [I have become increasingly used to the Tory party mimicking our policies and phrases in a desperate effort to pretend to their members they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-farage/i-have-become-increasingly-used-to-the-tory-party-mimicking-our/) [Nigel Farage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-farage/) > [ Of course I want to lead \[Tory\] party. Of course I want to lead this party in order to put forward an alternative and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-corbyn/of-course-i-want-to-lead-tory-party-of-course-i-want-to-lead-this/) [Jeremy Corbyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-corbyn/) > [Gentlemen, the Tory party, unless it is a national party, is nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/gentlemen-the-tory-party-unless-it-is-a-national-party-is-nothing/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [The Tory party is the enemy of democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-benn/the-tory-party-is-the-enemy-of-democracy/) [Tony Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-benn/) > [No amount of cajolery, and no attempts at ethical or social seduction, can eradicate from my heart a deep burning hatred for the Tory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aneurin-bevan/no-amount-of-cajolery-and-no-attempts-at-ethical-or-social-seduction/) [Aneurin Bevan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aneurin-bevan/) > [It's no wonder the Tory Party opposed identity cards, since so many of them struggle to find an identity at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/it-s-no-wonder-the-tory-party-opposed-identity-cards-since-so-many-of/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [The right has to be more than the Tory party.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemi-badenoch/the-right-has-to-be-more-than-the-tory-party/) [Kemi Badenoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemi-badenoch/) > [ They \[Andrea Leadsom and Theresa May\] both went to state schools, they are both women, hey, that's pretty quirky for the Tory party. Isn't… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-loughton/they-andrea-leadsom-and-theresa-may-both-went-to-state-schools-they/) Tim Loughton > [Disloyalty is the secret weapon of the Tory Party.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-critchley/disloyalty-is-the-secret-weapon-of-the-tory-party/) [Julian Critchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-critchley/) > [I am worried about the Tory party because give or take the odd spasm we have always been seen as pragmatic, sensible, good at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/i-am-worried-about-the-tory-party-because-give-or-take-the-odd-spasm/) [Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/) > [The Tory Party only talks to Brexiteers. It almost demonises... It comes across as dismissive of those who are not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-gyimah/the-tory-party-only-talks-to-brexiteers-it-almost-demonises-it-comes/) [Sam Gyimah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-gyimah/) > [The Tory party is like a rugby union match in which all 30 players are wearing the same strip. They're not sure who they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-hoggart/the-tory-party-is-like-a-rugby-union-match-in-which-all-30-players/) [Simon Hoggart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-hoggart/) > [Not once in my life has the Tory Party come anywhere close to winning an election in Scotland, and yet, for more than half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-sturgeon/not-once-in-my-life-has-the-tory-party-come-anywhere-close-to-winning/) [Nicola Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-sturgeon/) > [No attempt at ethical or social seduction can eradicate from my heart a deep burning hatred for the Tory Party. So far as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aneurin-bevan/no-attempt-at-ethical-or-social-seduction-can-eradicate-from-my-heart/) [Aneurin Bevan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aneurin-bevan/) ## More by Clive Lewis > [Labour under Jeremy Corbyn is not afraid to take on the very wealthiest, committing to the most comprehensive anti-tax avoidance plan ever presented by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/labour-under-jeremy-corbyn-is-not-afraid-to-take-on-the-very/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [Central to being a humanist, which I am, is the core understanding that doubt and criticism are essential attributes in the quest for knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/central-to-being-a-humanist-which-i-am-is-the-core-understanding-that/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [Poor people can't cut their emissions - they don't make them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/poor-people-can-t-cut-their-emissions-they-don-t-make-them/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [I think many of the virtues and values of the army are very similar to the virtues and values of socialism, of the Labour…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/i-think-many-of-the-virtues-and-values-of-the-army-are-very-similar/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [The 21st century has more potential than perhaps any other in our brief evolutionary history. We stand on the cusp of computing, genetic and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/the-21st-century-has-more-potential-than-perhaps-any-other-in-our/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [We were the first country in the world to carbonise our economy and to reap the huge economic rewards that followed and it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/we-were-the-first-country-in-the-world-to-carbonise-our-economy-and/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [At times of constitutional uncertainty and social division, parliament needs a greater, not a lesser role, in defining our future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/at-times-of-constitutional-uncertainty-and-social-division-parliament/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [My vision for the country is of warmth and energy. A country that starts every conversation and every project - either in business or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/my-vision-for-the-country-is-of-warmth-and-energy-a-country-that/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [I'm known for wearing tweed jackets, khaki pants and suede shoes. I've only worn a suit in parliament under duress, when I was on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/i-m-known-for-wearing-tweed-jackets-khaki-pants-and-suede-shoes-i-ve/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [E.U. law provides agency workers with the right to equal treatment, and all workers with maximum working hours. It forces governments to take environmental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/e-u-law-provides-agency-workers-with-the-right-to-equal-treatment-and/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [On their deathbed, do people think: 'I wish I'd spent more time with my Ferrari'? Or do they say: 'I wish I'd spent more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/on-their-deathbed-do-people-think-i-wish-i-d-spent-more-time-with-my/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [I don't consider myself a subject, I think I'm a citizen of this country and I think the vast majority of people consider themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/i-don-t-consider-myself-a-subject-i-think-i-m-a-citizen-of-this/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [Chasing new runway capacity to cater to ever more frequent leisure flights by Britain's wealthiest households isn't just iniquitous - it's bad economic policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/chasing-new-runway-capacity-to-cater-to-ever-more-frequent-leisure/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [Understandably, the electorate places great faith in the professional soldiers and strategists that run our military.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/understandably-the-electorate-places-great-faith-in-the-professional/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [Climate change is a humongous challenge but it also presents numerous economic opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/climate-change-is-a-humongous-challenge-but-it-also-presents-numerous/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) [Explore all 100 Clive Lewis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) ## More Europe quotes > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [Few political debates have been as divisive as the European one. I fought as hard as I could on the Remain side, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/few-political-debates-have-been-as-divisive-as-the-european-one-i/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) > [Perhaps our own opposition to even the level of European integration we have now, let alone any more, is well known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-farage/perhaps-our-own-opposition-to-even-the-level-of-european-integration/) [Nigel Farage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-farage/) > [Liberalism is the philosophy for our time, because it does not try to conserve every tradition of the past, because it does not apply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-trudeau/liberalism-is-the-philosophy-for-our-time-because-it-does-not-try-to/) [Pierre Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-trudeau/) > [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [“Conservatism aims to maintain in working order the loyalties of the community to perceived truths and also to those truths which in their judgment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley-jr-2/conservatism-aims-to-maintain-in-working-order-the-loyalties-of-the/) [William F. Buckley Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley-jr-2/) > [I'm from Europe, England, and I actually lived in Italy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adewale-akinnuoye-agbaje/i-m-from-europe-england-and-i-actually-lived-in-italy/) [Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adewale-akinnuoye-agbaje/) > [Europe is creating the flight of refugees that's tearing it apart politically, and leading rightwing nationalist parties to gain power to withdraw from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hudson/europe-is-creating-the-flight-of-refugees-that-s-tearing-it-apart/) [Michael Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hudson/) > [We witness anti-Semitic attacks in the heart of Europe. We hear anti-Semitic slanders in European media. We feel anti-Semitic hatred in the continent that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayelet-shaked/we-witness-anti-semitic-attacks-in-the-heart-of-europe-we-hear-anti/) [Ayelet Shaked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayelet-shaked/) > [Conservatives are people who look at a tree and feel instinctively that it is more beautiful than anything they can name. But when it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-mailer/conservatives-are-people-who-look-at-a-tree-and-feel-instinctively/) [Norman Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-mailer/) > [With the Truman book, I wrote the entire account of his experiences in World War I before going over to Europe to follow his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mccullough/with-the-truman-book-i-wrote-the-entire-account-of-his-experiences-in/) [David McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mccullough/) > [A man accustomed to American food and American domestic cookery would not starve to death suddenly in Europe, but I think he would gradually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/a-man-accustomed-to-american-food-and-american-domestic-cookery-would/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Yes, across Europe, this wall will fall. For it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/yes-across-europe-this-wall-will-fall-for-it-cannot-withstand-faith/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [I became an MP in 2017 and have been around to watch Liberal Democrat party membership soar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layla-moran/i-became-an-mp-in-2017-and-have-been-around-to-watch-liberal-democrat/) [Layla Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layla-moran/) [Browse all 7,565 Europe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Europe has been the Tory party's kryptonite for decades, sapping it of strength at key moments.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Clive Lewis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/europe-has-been-the-tory-party-s-kryptonite-for-decades-sapping-it-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Europe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/europe-has-been-the-tory-party-s-kryptonite-for-decades-sapping-it-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c3/clive-lewis-5613_europe_europe-has-been-the-tory-party-s-krypton_2383044.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c3/clive-lewis-5613_europe_europe-has-been-the-tory-party-s-krypton_2383044.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c3/clive-lewis-5613_europe_europe-has-been-the-tory-party-s-krypton_2383044.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Europe has been the Tory party's kryptonite for decades, sapping it of strength at key moments.” — Clive Lewis", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Clive Lewis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Europe has been the Tory party's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/europe-has-been-the-tory-party-s-kryptonite-for-decades-sapping-it-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/europe-has-been-the-tory-party-s-kryptonite-for-decades-sapping-it-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```