With the Government apparently determined to spend what remaining energy it has in victimising the poor, the vulnerable and the different in its remaining time in office, we’ve all come to expect the worst from any announcement that comes from a minister. And, in fairness, they make no pretence that they’re being anything other than what they appear to be.

But we’re forever hearing about unhappiness on the back benches, and yesterday was no different, with Damian Green writing in the Observer that “the UK’s deal with Rwanda must stay within the rule of law”. Now you and I might find ourselves wondering how it should be newsworthy that a Conservative MP is calling for his own Government to behave in a way consistent with the rule of law, but we are, it seems, where we are.

But, what will Damian and his friends do about it?

So far, the evidence is that he, and they, will wring their hands and ultimately, turn up to go through the lobbies with those who have no such qualms. Because that’s what they do – their loyalty to their Party and desire to remain on the edge of power is greater than their adherence to any principles they might once have had. And whilst they talk about fighting for the soul of the Conservative Party, you fear that any such contest was lost years ago, as its membership demonstrates in each passing leadership contest. There is no centre-right future, at least not in the near or medium term, for their current members won’t select candidates who don’t support the agenda that got the Conservatives to where they are now.

There is, really, a limited range of choices for the Tory moderates;

• the long game – hope that a massive defeat drives the party back towards the centre, although, as noted earlier, the membership don’t seem likely to encourage such a change of strategy
• openly vote against Government legislation they don’t support – and given what they’ve voted for so far, is that likely? And would they survive doing so?
• defect – but given their established voting record, could they pass a values test in any other party? Would Labour or Liberal Democrat members welcome them?
• give up and stand down at the next election – possible if you’re at a relatively late stage in your career, but there’ll be plenty of Conservative MPs looking for a job shortly

Not a terribly palatable choice, although sympathy should be limited given the damage they’ve done to our society and the country in general. I think that it’s fairly safe to say that, whilst there might be some mutterings amongst Tory moderates, the end result will be what it’s always been – self-interest trumping principles.

And remember that when someone tells you that “my Tory MP isn’t like that”, the response is “Yes, they are, because they’re voting through this awful legislation day after day, and they don’t even have the defence of believing in it.”.

* Mark Valladares is the Monday Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice.