But he responded with a principled argument which won over many of his critics.

So alongside principled arguments for a smaller state come pragmatic arguments that the status quo isn't affordable.

Practical and principled arguments against maintaining, let alone renewing, the deterrent abound.

First, there are political, practical and principled arguments for eye-watering honesty about our economic prospects.

Don't be surprised if their principled opposition turns out to be friable now they scent victory.

After the war, he adopted a principled opposition to violence because it was pragmatic to do so.

Nock was one of the few who maintained a principled opposition to the war throughout its course.

This has been his principled stance all along.

We then needed a new set of politicians ready to take a slightly more principled stance, and stand up for things.

It was a principled stance that might still have tangible effects.

Others who know her questioned why she did not take a more principled stance.

Notwithstanding his father's principled stance, eventually the two began to collaborate in earnest.

More recently, many fellow heads of department valued his principled stand and political nous during industrial action.

The only principled stand was to vote against.

It isn't a principled stand, more pragmatism.

It was a principled stand.

Either way, you can make a principled stand.