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Tories emerged
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They became the Conservatives
They became the Conservatives following Robert Peel’s 1834 Tamworth Manifesto favouring caution; pragmatism; defence of tradition and order; and a minimalist approach to change. -
Crystal Palace speech
In the 1872 Crystal Palace speech Disraeli outlined One Nation Conservatism as favouring defence of traditional institutions, the Empire and social reform to ‘elevate the condition of the people’. -
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Conservatives under Lord Salisbury
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Conservatives Under Churchill/Eden/Macmillan & Douglas-Hume
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Edward (Ted) Heath became leader of the Conservatives.
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Heath 1970 Manifesto
After a short period, however, Heath abandoned the 1970 manifesto in the face of bitter opposition from the trade unions. This historic U-turn was seen by some as weakness. -
Heath held a ‘brainstorming session
In January 1970, Heath held a ‘brainstorming session’ of the shadow cabinet at The Selsdon Park Hotel near Croydon. The aim of the meeting was to formulate policies for the 1970 manifesto. The result was a radical free market agenda (Harold Wilson condemned it as the work of "Selsdon Man“). -
Miners strikes
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Heath lost two elections
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Margaret Thatcher challenged Heath for the leadership of the party and won.
Won with a majority of 43 -
Victory in the Falklands War
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General election
Thatcher secured a 144 seat majority -
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Thatcherism
Thatcher continued to advocate what became known as Thatcherism. She begun a more extensive programme of privatisation and deregulation of the economy. -
General election
In 1987 she won the General election with a majority of 102. -
Poll Tax
The Thatcher government introduced the Community Charge (Poll Tax), whose unpopularity over the next two years was crucial in her downfall. -
Thatcher resignation
Following Heseltine’s leadership challenge in November 1990, Mrs Thatcher resigned as both PM and party leader on November 22nd. -
John Major became PM.
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John Major won the election
He won the 1992 election with a majority of 21. -
Conservative infighting over Europe
His premiership is marked by: Conservative infighting over Europe after the 1992 Maastricht treaty; economic problems such as Black Wednesday; sleaze. -
Major up for re-election
In June 1995 Major resigned as party leader and put himself up for re-election, inviting his opponents from within the party to ‘put up or shut up’. -
He was challenged by John Redwood
Major won -
Election loss to Labour
In 1997 the Conservatives lost the election, winning only 165 seats and 30.7% of the vote. This was the party’s worst defeat since 1906. -
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William Hague lead the party
Between 1997 & 2001 William Hague lead the party to winning one more seat (166) in the 2001 election. -
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Iain Duncan Smith was elected leader
2001-2003 Iain Duncan Smith was elected leader. His poor leadership saw the party remove him without his contesting an election. -
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Michael Howard acted as ‘caretaker’ leader.
2003-2005 Michael Howard acted as ‘caretaker’ leader. In the 2005 election they won 198 seats. -
David Cameron unexpectedly defeated David Davis
David Cameron unexpectedly defeated David Davis to become Conservative party leader.
He advocated modernisation of the party’s image and repeatedly referred to his ‘compassionate conservatism’. -
Cameron led the party to winning the election.
Led the party to win GE. They won 306 seats(short of majority)had to form a coalition with LibDems. Failure to defeat a weak Labour was a blow. His govt intervened in the Libyan War and authorised the bombing of Iraq; govt saw the referendum on voting reform & Scottish independence ref. Cons got majority 2015 GE remained as PM, Cons only govt with a small majority. Concerning rise of UKIP and Euroscepticism in Cons Cam decided to include BREXIT pledge on the UK's continuing membership of the EU. -
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Cameron led the coalition
Cameron led the coalition as it introduced austerity. His administration also introduced large-scale changes to welfare, immigration policy, education, and healthcare. It privatised the Royal Mail and some other state assets, and legalised same-sex marriage. -
Brexit
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Theresa May became leader of the Conservative party,
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Theresa May triggered Article 50 beginning Britain’s withdrawal from the EU.
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May called a ‘snap general election’ to increase her majority. She promised ‘strong and stable government’.
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May suffered humiliation, winning only 317 seats
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May suffered the largest government defeat in history, losing a Commons vote by 230 votes.
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Boris Johnson won the leadership contest
Boris Johnson won the leadership contest prompted by Theresa May’s resignation as Conservative party leader. He won almost twice as many votes as his opponent Jeremy Hunt in the ballot. -
the Conservatives won 365 seats and secured a parliamentary majority of 80
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Johnson called a General Election
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Rishi became MP