Changes

British conservatism has its own distinctive tradition, separate both from that of continental European conservatism and from that of American conservatism. Traditional British conservatism is rooted in pragmatism, practicality and concrete experience: this reflects a broader historical preference in British culture for the practical over the theoretical and for the concrete over the abstract. In continental Europe, many conservatives in past times, such as the Frenchman [[Joseph de Maistre]], were strongly ideological and defended causes such as absolute monarchy and Roman Catholicism. By contrast, the heroes of British conservatism (such as Sir [[Edmund Burke]] in the eighteenth century, Sir [[Robert Peel]] and [[Benjamin Disraeli]] in the nineteenth, and Sir [[Winston Churchill]] in the twentieth) were moderate, pragmatic and non-ideological. While a more ideological strand of conservatism was in the ascendant during the leadership of [[Margaret Thatcher|Lady Thatcher]] (1975-1990), the older, pragmatic trend has reasserted itself in more recent years.

British conservatism has its own distinctive tradition, separate both from that of continental European conservatism and from that of American conservatism. Traditional British conservatism is rooted in pragmatism, practicality and concrete experience: this reflects a broader historical preference in British culture for the practical over the theoretical and for the concrete over the abstract. In continental Europe, many conservatives in past times, such as the Frenchman [[Joseph de Maistre]], were strongly ideological and defended causes such as absolute monarchy and Roman Catholicism. By contrast, the heroes of British conservatism (such as Sir [[Edmund Burke]] in the eighteenth century, Sir [[Robert Peel]] and [[Benjamin Disraeli]] in the nineteenth, and Sir [[Winston Churchill]] in the twentieth) were moderate, pragmatic and non-ideological. While a more ideological strand of conservatism was in the ascendant during the leadership of [[Margaret Thatcher|Lady Thatcher]] (1975-1990), the older, pragmatic trend has reasserted itself in more recent years.

==The Conservative Party in recent years==

==History since 1978==

The modern British Conservative Party ran the United Kingdom for nearly 20 years, beginning with Margaret Thatcher's victory for the Party in 1979.  She came into office facing a British economy that had been crippled by industrial disputes, strikes, high unemployment, and collapsing public services, especially during the so-called 'Winter of Discontent' of 1978-9.  Mrs. Thatcher turned that around, broke the iron grip of the trade unions, and restored the British economy to a free enterprise system that has continued to this day.  She was succeeded by [[John Major]] in 1990, and, to the surprise of the media, Major won the general election in 1992 and extended the Conservative Party's power until 1997.   

The modern British Conservative Party ran the United Kingdom for nearly 20 years, beginning with Margaret Thatcher's victory for the Party in 1979.  She came into office facing a British economy that had been crippled by industrial disputes, strikes, high unemployment, and collapsing public services, especially during the so-called 'Winter of Discontent' of 1978-9.  Mrs. Thatcher turned that around, broke the iron grip of the trade unions, and restored the British economy to a free enterprise system that has continued to this day.  She was succeeded by [[John Major]] in 1990, and, to the surprise of the media, Major won the general election in 1992 and extended the Conservative Party's power until 1997.   

Major was soon after replaced by [[William Hague]], whose election as party leader was seen as an affirmation that the party wanted to continue with its [[Thatcherite]] policies. Hague was the victim of smears and attacks by a media which became Labour-biased to an extent never before seen in British history, and any attempt he made to state his policies or attack the government was routinely ignored (the UK has media regulations similar to the [[Fairness Doctrine]], but does not regulate what the media are supposed to report, only how much time they allocate to each party). The 2001 election went little better than the previous for the Conservatives, for which Hague accepted responsibility and stepped down as leader. [[Iain Duncan Smith]] replaced Hague, seemingly getting elected for no reason other than the fact that he was endorsed by Thatcher, and made no real impact as party leader. After passing up chances to attack the government for their role in [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] (which had far less support in the UK than it did in the US), the party decided that enough was enough and Duncan Smith was removed as leader in late 2003. [[Michael Howard]] was seen by many as the only possible man to take the Conservatives forward, and was elected as the new party leader without opposition. A far more adept period of leadership saw a recovery at the 2005 election, halving Labour's majority in the House of Commons. A few weeks later, Howard announced that while the recovery of the Conservative Party had begun, he had done all he could as party leader, and so would step down once a successor had been elected.

Major was soon after replaced by [[William Hague]], whose election as party leader was seen as an affirmation that the party wanted to continue with its [[Thatcherite]] policies. Hague was the victim of smears and attacks by a media which became Labour-biased to an extent never before seen in British history, and any attempt he made to state his policies or attack the government was routinely ignored (the UK has media regulations similar to the [[Fairness Doctrine]], but does not regulate what the media are supposed to report, only how much time they allocate to each party). The 2001 election went little better than the previous for the Conservatives, for which Hague accepted responsibility and stepped down as leader. [[Iain Duncan Smith]] replaced Hague, seemingly getting elected for no reason other than the fact that he was endorsed by Thatcher, and made no real impact as party leader. After passing up chances to attack the government for their role in [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] (which had far less support in the UK than it did in the US), the party decided that enough was enough and Duncan Smith was removed as leader in late 2003. [[Michael Howard]] was seen by many as the only possible man to take the Conservatives forward, and was elected as the new party leader without opposition. A far more adept period of leadership saw a recovery at the 2005 election, halving Labour's majority in the House of Commons. A few weeks later, Howard announced that while the recovery of the Conservative Party had begun, he had done all he could as party leader, and so would step down once a successor had been elected.

==The modern Party==

===Moderate shift and David Cameron===

<!--[[Image:Caroline Spelman.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Caroline Spelman, the Conservative Party Chairman]] -->

<!--[[Image:Caroline Spelman.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Caroline Spelman, the Conservative Party Chairman]] -->

Since the early 2000s, the Conservative Party leaders have softened its conservative stance on social and fiscal issues, and this has increased its popularity with the voters. Particularly since David Cameron - a self-declared "liberal conservative" (which in British English means "moderate conservative") - became leader of the Conservative Party, their support in the country has risen dramatically, however this is also due to the media-perpetuated anti-war feeling within the United Kingdom following [[Tony Blair]]'s era, coupled with the unpopularity of [[Gordon Brown]]'s government<ref>http://politics.guardian.co.uk/speeches/story/0,,1869970,00.html</ref> and recent polls.<ref>http://www.icmresearch.co.uk/reviews/2007/Guardian%20-%20Jan/guardian-jan-2007.asp</ref><ref>http://politics.guardian.co.uk/labour/story/0,,2016791,00.html</ref>

Since the early 2000s, the Conservative Party leaders have softened its conservative stance on social and fiscal issues, and this has increased its popularity with the voters. Particularly since David Cameron – a self-declared "liberal conservative" (which in British English means "moderate conservative") – became leader of the Conservative Party, their support in the country has risen dramatically, however this is also due to the media-perpetuated anti-war feeling within the United Kingdom following [[Tony Blair]]'s era, coupled with the unpopularity of [[Gordon Brown]]'s government<ref>http://politics.guardian.co.uk/speeches/story/0,,1869970,00.html</ref> and recent polls.<ref>http://www.icmresearch.co.uk/reviews/2007/Guardian%20-%20Jan/guardian-jan-2007.asp</ref><ref>http://politics.guardian.co.uk/labour/story/0,,2016791,00.html</ref>

Cameron can be seen as a more moderate conservative than many previous leaders. His party policies have gravitated towards a more "green" outlook as the concern about [[global warming]] has grown within the UK. He has also praised Britain's socialized healthcare system, the [[National Health Service|NHS]]; but has also considered privatisation of sections of the service in an attempt to decrease the deficit at which it currently operates. The party has also continued to support some traditional elements of Conservative policy, such as support for the family.

Cameron could be seen as more moderate than many previous leaders. His party policies have gravitated towards a more "green" outlook as the concern about [[global warming]] has grown within the UK. He has also praised Britain's socialized healthcare system, the [[National Health Service|NHS]]; but has also considered privatisation of sections of the service in an attempt to decrease the deficit at which it currently operates. The party has also continued to support some traditional elements of Conservative policy, such as support for the family.

Since forming the Coalition Government in 2010, Cameron's popularity has been rapidly declining, as indicated by various opinion polls conducted by the media. Current polls suggest the conservatives would be beaten with the Labour party while the Liberal Democrats have slumped in popularity.  

After forming the Coalition Government in 2010, Cameron's popularity rapidly declined, as indicated by various opinion polls conducted by the media. However, the Conservative Party gained a slim majority in the 2015 general election. During this time, the [[United Kingdom Independence Party]] grew to become a serious rival of the party, sitting on its Right.

David Cameron has established his own website. [http://www.webcameron.org.uk/]

Cameron, who, despite being a member of the [[Conservative Party]], held several leftist positions, pledged to reduce immigration to under 100,000 annually. Despite this pledge, [[European migrant crisis|immigration soared during his tenure to even higher levels]] than when he first took office.<ref>Whitehead, Tom (February 26, 2015). [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/11436403/David-Cameron-immigration-pledge-in-tatters-as-net-immigration-stands-at-298000.html David Cameron immigration pledge in tatters as net immigration stands at 298,000]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved January 7, 2017.</ref> Immigration played a very influential role in the successful [[Brexit]] referendum on June 23, 2016,<ref>Bennett, Asa (June 29, 2016). [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/29/did-britain-really-vote-brexit-to-cut-immigration/ Did Britain really vote Brexit to cut immigration?]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved January 7, 2017.</ref><ref>Siegel, Josh (June 23, 2016). [http://dailysignal.com/2016/06/23/how-immigration-fueled-the-brexit-result/ How Immigration Fueled the Brexit Result]. ''The Daily Signal''. Retrieved January 7, 2017.</ref> along with other very important and related factors such as sovereignty and backlash against the leftist [[establishment]] elites who support large levels of immigration.<ref>Friedman, George; Mauldin, John (July 5, 2016). [http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnmauldin/2016/07/05/3-reasons-brits-voted-for-brexit/#6f7d841d78c1 3 Reasons Brits Voted For Brexit]. ''Forbes''. Retrieved January 7, 2017.</ref>

 

 

Theresa May became Prime Minister after Cameron. She initiated the formal Brexit process and called an early election to be held in June 2017.

 

The Conservative Party shifted its public stances after the Brexit vote, adopting right-wing stances on Europe and immigration more similar to UKIP,<ref>Kentish, Ben (May 15, 2017). [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-voters-more-right-wing-ukip-poll-latest-theresa-may-nigel-farage-a7737491.html Tory voters think their party is now more right-wing than Ukip, poll finds]. ''The Independent''. Retrieved May 18, 2017.</ref> something noted by former UKIP leader [[Nigel Farage]].<ref name="MerrickMay2017">Merrick, Rob (May 7, 2017). [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/election-latest-nigel-farage-theresa-may-stolen-ukip-policies-brussels-bashing-immigration-a7722346.html Nigel Farage says Theresa May is winning because she has stolen all his policies]. ''The Independent''. Retrieved May 7, 2017.</ref>This could be seen in the 2017 Conservative Party campaign manifesto, under Prime Minister [[Theresa May]], which adopted some of UKIP's EU and immigration policies.<ref>Montgomery, Jack (May 18, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/05/18/may-reveals-polarising-policies-immigration-social-care/ Theresa May Launches Conservative Manifesto: Pledge to Leave EU Single Market, Elderly Care Cost Raid]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 18, 2017.</ref><ref name="RaynerMay2017">Rayner, Gordon (May 18, 2017). [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/18/conservative-manifesto-general-election-2017-key-points-policies/ Conservative manifesto for General Election 2017: Key points, policies and summary]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved May 18, 2017.</ref> Because of this shift, the Conservative Party absorbed many UKIP voters.<ref>Dickson, Annabelle (May 17, 2017). [http://www.politico.eu/article/theresa-may-marches-into-ukip-land/ Theresa May marches into UKIP country]. ''Politico''. Retrieved May 18, 2017.</ref> However, at the same time, the manifesto contained several worrisome pledges for conservatives and proponents of Brexit.<ref>Edmunds, Donna Rachel (May 18, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/05/18/top-7-conservative-manifesto-pledges-to-worry-brexiteers/ Top 7 Conservative Manifesto Pledges to Worry Brexiteers]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 19, 2017.</ref> Noting the Conservative Party's past failures to reduce immigration in the recent past, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne wrote an editorial at the time of the manifesto's release in May 2017 that the Conservative Party leadership opposed and never intended to keep its immigration reduction promises.<ref>Montgomery, Jack (May 17, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/05/17/osborne-boasts-tories-never-intended-keep-immigration-promises/ Osborne Boasts Tories Never Intended to Keep Immigration Promises in Shock Editorial]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 18, 2017.</ref>

==See also==

==See also==

* [[British politics]]

* [[British politics]]

* [[British conservatives]]

* [[British conservatives]]

* [[Conservative Party of New York State|Conservative Party of New York State (CPNYS)]]

* [[Conservative Party of New York State|Conservative Party of New York State (CPNYS)]]

* [[American Conservative Party|American Conservative Party (ACP)]]

* [[American Conservative Party|American Conservative Party (ACP)]]

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://www.conservatives.com/ Conservative Party Official Website]

* [http://www.conservatives.com/ Conservative Party Official Website]

* [http://www.conservatives.com/Policy/Manifesto.aspx Conservative Party Manefesto for the 2010 General Election]

* [http://www.conservatives.com/Policy/Manifesto.aspx Conservative Party Manefesto for the 2010 General Election]

* [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-miliband-would-beat-cameron--unlike-ed-6292887.html]

* [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-miliband-would-beat-cameron--unlike-ed-6292887.html]

[[Category:British Political Parties]]

[[Category:British Political Parties]]

[[Category:British History]]

[[Category:British History]]