Dominic Grieve has called for the country to look anew at community values and a shared national identity.
In a speech at Queen Mary University of London, the Shadow Justice Secretary attacked Labour for "stifling difficult debate under a blanket of political correctness", imposing state-defined orthodoxy on public and private consciences and overburdening people with law and regulation.
"Increasing prescription is robbing us of our ability to decide ourselves what is right and wrong."
Dominic outlined the need for limited state interference in our freedoms and the importance of reflecting on the past to help shape our present identities.
He highlighted the need for a constant exchange of views and opinions so that society can moderate each other's attitudes and behaviour.
And he stressed, "The Conservative Party believes that it is the individuals making up society itself who can best provide the solutions through self regulation."
Read Dominic's speech in full.