Interesting that GDS was born out of the shift to a Conservative government. 14 years later the Tories aren't exactly associated with openness, forward thinking or investment in public services.
The conservative party of 2010 was very different to that of today
Back then it had hardliners like John Redwood and Bill Cash, but also pragmatic moderates such as William Hague, Ken Clarke and Rory Stewart.
Brexit destroyed the party from within. Over time as it became more and more difficult to defend in any non-ideological way and the party leadership became more and more autocratic in ever more desperate attempts to force it to a conclusion, they all either left politics, switched allegiance or were expelled from the party. What was left were the hardliners, the truly crazy and those willing to say anything at all in return for power.
