Cromwell was pretty much the right-of-centre moderate in his time.He defeated both the Presbyterians who wanted to re- establish a state church with themselves in charge, and (sadly) the Levellers and their nascent democratic movement. To him, Society was to be made safe and comfortable for gentlemen of the middling sort, and defended against encroachments by both religious fanatics and those who, having no property, had (to his mind) no rooted interest in stability.

Nearest comparison today? Tony Blair. Will Tony's successor do better than Richard? Will there be a restoration of the status quo ante ante (there wasn't, though they pretended there was, after Cromwell)?