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This lesson provides a detailed analysis of the Conservative Party — the oldest political party in the UK and one of the most successful electoral machines in democratic history. Understanding Conservative ideology and its internal factions is essential for A-Level Politics.
The Conservative Party traces its origins to the Tory Party of the 17th century. Key historical phases include:
| Period | Key Features |
|---|---|
| 19th century | Disraeli's "One Nation" conservatism; extending the franchise; British imperialism |
| Interwar period | Dominance of Baldwin and Chamberlain; appeasement |
| Post-war consensus (1945–79) | Acceptance of the welfare state, mixed economy, and Keynesian economics |
| Thatcher era (1979–90) | Free-market economics, privatisation, trade union reform, euroscepticism |
| Major to Cameron (1990–2016) | Internal divisions over Europe; modernisation under Cameron; austerity |
| Brexit era (2016–present) | Johnson's populist conservatism; Truss's brief leadership; Sunak's pragmatic approach; 2024 election defeat |
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