Left plot backfires

The torrent of comment on a (not actually) possible breakaway Conservative Party has subsided but continues to threaten the integrity of some of the blogosphere's most treasured monuments.

Reacting to an anti-Rand rant in the Spectator, Tom Burroughes of Samizdata challenged the author to: "Give us some reasons why you think Miss Rand's brand of ethical egoism is wrong. After all, an egoist could justly claim that benevolence towards others is in fact often very 'selfish' since it still means doing something of value to the actor as well as the beneficiary."

Meanwhile and stifling a yawn, Paul Marks, also of Samizdata said: "I should be interested in this idea."

The story began when it was reported in the Daily Telegraph that lots of libertarian conservatives were thinking of setting up their own party. The rumour is that there aren't lots of them and they aren't libertarian.