clear blue water

Introduced by the Conservative Party in the 1990s.

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.

• daylight (emotional or psychological distance, or disagreement; usually in the expression put daylight between oneself and someone)