The end of an era: The decline and fall of the Tory Party

Mark Fields | Issue 7 | Comment, Magazine

From the Archive

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 15: United Kingdom Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field looks on as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting concerning North Korea's nuclear ambitions, December 15, 2017 in New York City. On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the Security Council resolutions on North Korea's nuclear programs must be fully implemented. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 15: United Kingdom Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field looks on as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting concerning North Korea's nuclear ambitions, December 15, 2017 in New York City. On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the Security Council resolutions on North Korea's nuclear programs must be fully implemented. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Former MP Mark Field – author of tell-all memoir The End of an Era – reflects on where it all went wrong for his party

I blame my old friend Philip Hammond. We were out celebrating with our wives at a restaurant shortly after I had finally graced the ministerial ranks. Reflecting on the vicissitudes of political advancement, the then chancellor turned to me with his characteristic wry smile: “You do have a remarkable capacity for getting into high-profile scrapes.”

I guess he had my notoriously close friendship with his cabinet colleague and future prime minister Liz Truss, as well as my alleged role in David Cameron’s “Piggate” scandal, in mind. My skirmish at the Mansion House with climate protestors was still to come – ironically enough, this later drama played out only yards away from the top table where Hammond himself and Mark Carney, then governor of the Bank of England and en route to the Canadian premiership, were guests of honour.

So although my time in politics featured only a moderate level of conventional attainment, I probably enjoyed greater prominence and public profile than many who ended up reaching higher rungs on the political ladder. Philip Hammond’s words came flooding back as the bewilderingly swift changes in personnel at 10 Downing Street during summer 2022 persuaded some old friends in the media to make contact with me. Perhaps my political memoir might be of wider appeal? To be honest, I did not need too much persuading; having served in parliament during the torrid …

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.



Reeves has opened the door to EU realignment – here’s how it can go further for fintechs

Philip Belamant | March 26, 2026

The Chancellor has hinted that closer ties with the EU are on the table. But fintech companies want something more concrete, warns Philip Belamant

Special Relationships: Westminster power couples of 2026

Mace | March 25, 2026

Which special relationships are really running the country? Emily Hill surveys the top political romances in Westminster.

The Mace Questionnaire: Andrew Griffith MP, Shadow Secretary for Business and Trade

Mace | March 25, 2026

After running Sky, Andrew Griffiths become a high flying MP who rose through the Johnson and Sunak governments. In his Mace profile, the Shadow Secretary for Business and

Toby Young’s House of Lords Diary

Mace | March 24, 2026

With invitations coming in to speak at the 2026 autumn party conference season, freedom of speech campaigner Toby Young reflects on his political status 'upgrade' from hack to

The care sector is the government’s best bet for growth.

Erin Mansell | March 23, 2026

At a time when birth rates are falling, Erin Mansell argues that the government has repeatedly overlooked its golden goose - the care sector.

‘Drill, baby, drill’ is not a long-term strategy, bodies warn.

Pablo John | March 19, 2026

Whilst oil and gas may seem like seductive choices, the government must look beyond the soundbites, warns Pablo John.

Logistics body sends an important reminder to the government

Edwin Morgan | March 19, 2026

Despite the importance that logistics and supply chains carry in Britain's economy, the government routinely ignores the significance of the sector, argues Edwin Morgan

Chancellor eyes energy windfall tax despite trade body warnings

Oliver Dean | March 17, 2026

As war continues and oil prices climb, Rachel Reeves has refused to rule out a windfall tax on oil and gas firms.

With Greens polling second, will May 7th be execution day?

William Cash | March 14, 2026

The Greens surge into second place in the polls confirms that the two-party system is no longer fit for purpose. But can Starmer and Badenoch survive execution on

Digital Confidential: Politics and technology column by Damian Collins

Mace | March 12, 2026

As AI turbocharges social media, tech giants must be held accountable says the former chair of the DCMS select committee who now leads law firm Geradin Partners' public