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The '''Conservative Party''' is the largest right-of-center party in the [[United Kingdom]], and is one of that country's two major political parties. Its full official name is the ''Conservative and Unionist Party'', and it is commonly referred to as the ''Tories'' after its historical predecessor. Its current leader is [[Boris Johnson]].

The '''Conservative Party''' is the largest right-of-center party in the [[United Kingdom]], and is one of that country's two major political parties. Its full official name is the ''Conservative and Unionist Party'', and it is commonly referred to as the ''Tories'' after its historical predecessor. Its current leader is [[Boris Johnson]].

The base of the Conservative Party leans [[Eurosceptic]] as more than 2/3 of its members voted for [[Brexit]].  Most of its MPs now support Brexit,<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/15/tories-set-to-become-more-eurosceptic-campaign-group-says</ref> including the current leader.

Aside from moderate fiscal conservatism, there is little actual conservatism in the modern party, particularly the party's upper echelons, which is, along with all the main political parties in the UK, [[pro-abortion]], pro-[[same-sex marriage|same sex "marriage"]], anti-[[death penalty]], and pro-[[gun control]]. The base of the Conservative Party leans [[Eurosceptic]] as more than 2/3 of its members voted for [[Brexit]].  Most of its MPs claim to support Brexit,<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/15/tories-set-to-become-more-eurosceptic-campaign-group-says</ref> though many oppose Brexit if it means a clean break from the European Union.

==British conservatism==

==British conservatism==

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 could be seen as more moderate than many previous leaders. His initial policies have gravitated towards a more "green" outlook; however, while in government his party weakened or got rid of a succession of environmentalist policies.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2016/apr/20/david-cameron-hug-a-husky-green-legacy-10-years</ref> As with every Conservative leader since 1945, 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.{{citation needed}}

Cameron could be seen as more moderate than many previous leaders. His policies gravitated towards a more "green" outlook, though he pursued a more moderate approach than left-wingers and greens supported.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2016/apr/20/david-cameron-hug-a-husky-green-legacy-10-years</ref> As with every Conservative leader since 1945, 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.{{citation needed}}

In 2013, Cameron supported the legalization of [[same-sex "marriage"]] against "universal" advice from colleagues, the majority of his own party's MPs and his own mother.<ref>https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-ignored-tory-mps-and-his-mum-over-legalisation-of-gay-marriage-10516205.html</ref>

In 2013, Cameron supported the legalization of [[same-sex "marriage"]] against "universal" advice from colleagues, the majority of his own party's MPs and his own mother.<ref>https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-ignored-tory-mps-and-his-mum-over-legalisation-of-gay-marriage-10516205.html</ref>