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In the United Kingdom the present parliamentary opposition party is called the [[Conservative party]]and as it's name suggests hold traditional conservative views. Its current leader is [[David Cameron]].  In politcal policy the UK Conservatives are more closely aligned to the US Democrats, despite them being the most right of the main 3 parties.

In the United Kingdom the present parliamentary opposition party is called the [[Conservative party]]and as it's name suggests hold traditional conservative views. Its current leader is [[David Cameron]].  In politcal policy the UK Conservatives are more closely aligned to the US Democrats, despite them being the most right of the main 3 parties.

Up until the mid-19th century, the forerunners of the Conservatives were known as [[Tory|Tories]], and the name has persisted as a common nickname.

Up until the mid-19th century, the forerunners of the Conservatives were known as [[Tory|Tories]], and the name has persisted as a common nickname both for the political party and those believed to be in agreement with it.

Many issues that are commonly used to define Conservatives in the US have little or no relevance in other countries - for example, UK Conservatives do not campaign on issues of gun control or abortion rights, and only a minority are overtly hostile to homosexuality (although they may oppose legislation designed to enforce equality). Fewer still express [[racist]] views, and are generally disciplined by their party when they do. Nevertheless, there is generally a strong bias towards the nuclear family over other forms of cohabitation. Since the late 1970s, UK conservatives have been defined by an advocacy of [[Laissez-faire]] economics, privatization and lower taxation.

Many issues that are commonly used to define Conservatives in the US have little or no relevance in other countries - for example, UK Conservatives do not campaign on issues of gun control or abortion rights, and only a minority are overtly hostile to homosexuality (although they may oppose legislation designed to enforce equality). Fewer still express [[racist]] views, and are generally disciplined by their party when they do. Nevertheless, there is generally a strong bias towards the nuclear family over other forms of cohabitation. Since the late 1970s, UK conservatives have been defined by an advocacy of [[Laissez-faire]] economics, privatization and lower taxation.