clear blue water

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English

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Etymology

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Introduced by the Conservative Party in the 1990s.

Noun

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clear blue water (uncountable)

  1. (idiomatic, especially UK politics) An obvious, unambiguous divide between the policies of two parties.
    • 2002, Anthony Forster, Euroscepticism in Contemporary British Politics, page 27:
      It was the Conservatives' policy, designed in part to put some clear blue water between themselves and Labour and to refresh Conservative Party ideas.
    • 2010, Proud To Be Flesh:
      But, Boyle's admission does put clear blue water between CC and the autonomist politics of another notorious commons enthusiast, Peter Linebaugh, who is also included in this chapter.
    • 2011, Martin H. M. Steven, Christianity and Party Politics: Keeping the Faith, page 62:
      [] the Conservatives can still create clear blue water between them and Labour by showing how they prioritise the family over the State.
    • 2011, Chris Mullin, A Walk-On Part:
      I was of the view that there ought to be clear blue water between us and the Tories on this issue.
    • 2023 February 8, Sir Michael Holden, “Comment: Boom or bust: time to decide”, in RAIL, number 976, page 3:
      Sitting on the bottom of both league tables - with clear blue water between it and the next worst operator - is Avanti West Coast.

See also

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