Protectionism

Tim Worstall has been getting annoyed with Tony Makara, who wrote a piece at the Conservative Home site defending trade protectionism.

Tim's right to be annoyed, of course. Protectionism has a terrible history. But it isn't surprising to see a Tory make this argument. Protectionism has always been a strong thread in conservative politics.

Vested interests, of course. Politics attracts interest groups like, well, you can supply the simile. I was about to be coarse.