Editing Conservative Party (UK) (section)

== History ==
{{Main|History of the Conservative Party (UK)}}
<!--This section is meant to be just a summary. Please do not add too much detail&nbsp;– the "History of the Conservative Party (UK)" article is intended for detailed additions-->
[[File:Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Bt by Henry William Pickersgill-detail.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Robert Peel]], twice [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]] and founder of the Conservative Party]]

=== Origins ===
Some writers trace the party's origins to the [[Tories (British political party)|Tory Party]], which it soon replaced. Other historians point to a faction, rooted in the 18th century [[Whigs (British political party)|Whig Party]], that coalesced around [[William Pitt the Younger]] in the 1780s. They were known as "Independent Whigs", "[[Tories (British political party)#Friends of Mr Pitt|Friends of Mr Pitt]]", or "Pittites" and never used terms such as "Tory" or "Conservative". From about 1812, the name "Tory" was commonly used for a new party that, according to historian Robert Blake, "are the ancestors of Conservatism". Blake adds that Pitt's successors after 1812 "were not in any sense standard-bearers of 'true Toryism'".<ref>Robert Blake, ''The Conservative Party from Peel to Major'' (1997) p. 4</ref>

The term ''Tory'' was an insult that entered [[Politics of England|English politics]] during the [[Exclusion Crisis|Exclusion Bill]] crisis of 1678–1681, which derived from the [[Middle Irish]] word {{lang|mga|tóraidhe}} (modern [[Irish language|Irish]]: {{lang|ga|tóraí}}) meaning ''[[outlaw]]'' or ''robber'', which in turn derived from the Irish word {{lang|ga|tóir}}, meaning ''pursuit'', since outlaws were "pursued men".<ref>{{citation|contribution=Tory|last=Webster|title=New World Dictionary & Thesaurus|edition=2.0 for PC|year=1998}}</ref><ref>{{citation|contribution=Tory|title=Answers|url=http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=Tory&gwp=16|access-date=3 January 2024|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923174521/http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=Tory&gwp=16|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The term "[[Conservative]]" was suggested as a title for the party in an article by [[John Wilson Croker|J. Wilson Croker]] published in the ''[[Quarterly Review]]'' in 1830.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Safire|first1=William|title=Safire's Political Dictionary|date=2008|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0195343342|page=144|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c4UoX6-Sv1AC&pg=PA144|access-date=29 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330130525/https://books.google.com/books?id=c4UoX6-Sv1AC&pg=PA144|archive-date=30 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The name immediately caught on and was formally adopted under the aegis of [[Robert Peel]] around 1834. Peel is acknowledged as the founder of the Conservative Party, which he created with the announcement of the [[Tamworth Manifesto]]. The term "Conservative Party" rather than Tory was the dominant usage by 1845.<ref>Ivor Bulmer-Thomas, ''The Growth of the British Party System Volume I: 1640–1923'' (1965) pp. 66–81</ref><ref>David Paterson, ''Liberalism and Conservatism, 1846–1905'' (2001) p. 5</ref>

=== 1867–1914: Conservatives and Unionists ===
The widening of the electoral franchise in the 19th century forced the Conservative Party to popularise its approach under [[Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby]] and [[Benjamin Disraeli]], who carried through their own expansion of the franchise with the [[Reform Act 1867]]. The party was initially opposed to further expansion of the electorate but eventually allowed passage of Gladstone's [[Representation of the People Act 1884]]. In 1886, the party formed an alliance with [[Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire|Spencer Cavendish]] and [[Joseph Chamberlain]]'s new [[Liberal Unionist Party]] and, under the statesmen [[Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury|Robert Gascoyne-Cecil]] and [[Arthur Balfour]], held power for all but three of the following twenty years before suffering a heavy defeat in [[1906 United Kingdom general election|1906]] when it split over the issue of [[free trade]].

Young [[Winston Churchill]] denounced Chamberlain's attack on free trade, and helped organise the opposition inside the Unionist/Conservative Party. Nevertheless, Balfour, as party leader, introduced protectionist legislation.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Peter |last=Fraser |title=Unionism and Tariff Reform: The Crisis of 1906 |journal=Historical Journal |volume=5 |issue=2 |year=1962 |pages=149–166|doi=10.1017/S0018246X00000170 |s2cid=155026903 }}</ref> Churchill crossed the floor and formally joined the Liberal Party (he rejoined the Conservatives in 1925). In December, Balfour lost control of his party, as the defections multiplied. He was replaced by Liberal Prime Minister [[Henry Campbell-Bannerman]] who called [[1906 United Kingdom general election|an election in January 1906]], which produced a massive Liberal victory. Liberal Prime Minister [[H. H. Asquith]] enacted a great deal of reform legislation, but the Unionists worked hard at grassroots organizing. Two general elections were held in 1910, [[January 1910 United Kingdom general election|in January]] and [[December 1910 United Kingdom general election|in December]]. The two main parties were now almost dead equal in seats, but the Liberals kept control with a coalition with the [[Irish Parliamentary Party]].<ref>{{cite book |first=R. C. K. |last=Ensor |title=England, 1870–1914 |pages=373–428 |url=https://www.questia.com/library/1401979/england-1870-1914 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408081229/https://www.questia.com/library/1401979/england-1870-1914 |archive-date=8 April 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Blewett|first=Neal|author-link=Neal Blewett|title=The Peers, the Parties and the People: The British General Elections of 1910|year=1972|location=Toronto and Buffalo|publisher=University of Toronto Press|url=https://archive.org/details/peerspartiespeop0000blew/page/n5/mode/2up|url-access=registration|isbn=0-8020-1838-6}}</ref>

In 1912, the Liberal Unionists merged with the Conservative Party. In Ireland, the [[Irish Unionist Alliance]] had been formed in 1891 which merged Unionists who were opposed to [[Irish Home Rule movement|Irish Home Rule]] into one political movement. Its MPs took the Conservative whip at Westminster, essentially forming the Irish wing of the party until 1922. In Britain, the Conservative party was known as the Unionist Party because of its opposition to home rule.<ref>{{cite web |first=Leala |last=Padmanabhan |date=8 April 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30899534 |title='Conservative' or 'Tory': What's in a name? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220003436/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30899534 |archive-date=20 February 2019 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=The [[Conservative Party Archive]] Trust |url=https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/94891/CPA-guide-high-res-version.pdf |title=Guide to the Conservative Party Archive |publisher=[[Bodleian Library]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009073843/http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/94891/CPA-guide-high-res-version.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2016 |year=2009}}</ref> Under [[Bonar Law]]'s leadership in 1911–1914, the Party morale improved, the "radical right" wing was contained, and the party machinery strengthened. It made some progress toward developing constructive social policies.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Graham D. |last=Goodlad |title=The 'Crisis' of Edwardian Conservatism |journal=Modern History Review |year=1998 |volume=9 |issue=4 |pages=10–13}}</ref>

=== First World War ===
{{Further|History of the United Kingdom during the First World War}}
While the [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberals]] were mostly against the war until the invasion of Belgium, Conservative leaders were strongly in favour of aiding France and stopping Germany. The Liberal party was in full control of the government until its mismanagement of the war effort under the [[Shell Crisis of 1915|Shell Crisis]] badly hurt its reputation. An all-party coalition government was formed in May 1915. In late 1916 Liberal [[David Lloyd George]] became prime minister but the Liberals soon split and the Conservatives dominated the government, especially after their [[1918 United Kingdom general election|landslide in the 1918 election]]. The Liberal party never recovered, but [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] gained strength after 1920.<ref>J. A. R. Marriott, ''Modern England, 1885–1945'' (4th ed. 1949) pp 375–432 [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.54679 online free]</ref>

Nigel Keohane finds that the Conservatives were bitterly divided before 1914 but the war pulled the party together, allowing it to emphasise patriotism as it found new leadership and worked out its positions on the Irish question, socialism, electoral reform, and the issue of intervention in the economy. The fresh emphasis on [[anti-Socialism]] was its response to the growing strength of the Labour Party. When electoral reform was an issue, it worked to protect their base in rural England.<ref>{{cite book|first=Nigel|last=Keohane|title=The Party of Patriotism: The Conservative Party and the First World War|publisher=Ashgate|year=2010}}</ref> It aggressively sought female voters in the 1920s, often relying on patriotic themes.<ref>{{cite journal |first=David|last=Jarvis |title=Mrs. Maggs and Betty: The Conservative Appeal to Women Voters in the 1920s|journal=Twentieth Century British History|year=1992|volume=5|issue=2|pages=129–52|doi=10.1093/tcbh/5.2.129 }}</ref>

=== 1920–1945 ===
{{Main|Interwar Britain}}

[[File:Sir Winston Churchill - 19086236948.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Winston Churchill]], who was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]]
In 1922, Bonar Law and [[Stanley Baldwin]] led the breakup of the coalition, and the Conservatives governed until 1923, when a minority Labour government led by [[Ramsay MacDonald]] came to power. The Conservatives regained power in 1924 but were defeated in 1929 as a minority Labour government took office. In 1931, following the collapse of the Labour minority government, it entered another coalition, which was dominated by the Conservatives with some support from factions of both the Liberal Party and the Labour Party ([[National Labour Organisation|National Labour]] and [[National Liberal Party (UK, 1931)|National Liberals]]).<ref name="Vernon Bogdanor, Multi-Party Politics and the Constitution">{{cite book|first=Vernon|last=Bogdanor|title=Multi-Party Politics and the Constitution|year=1983|publisher=Cambridge University Press}}</ref> In May 1940 a more balanced coalition was formed<ref name="Vernon Bogdanor, Multi-Party Politics and the Constitution" />—the [[National Government (United Kingdom)|National Government]]—which, under the leadership of [[Winston Churchill]], saw the United Kingdom through the Second World War. However, the party lost the [[1945 United Kingdom general election|1945 general election]] in a landslide to the resurgent Labour Party.<ref>Marriott, ''Modern England, 1885–1945'' (4th ed. 1949) pp 504–66. [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.54679 online free]</ref><ref>Alfred F. Havighurst, ''Modern England, 1901–1984'' (2nd ed. 1987) [https://archive.org/details/modernengland19000havi online free to borrow]</ref>

The concept of the "property-owning democracy" was coined by Noel Skelton in 1923 and became a core principle of the party.<ref name="Matthew Francis 2011">Matthew Francis, "A Crusade to Enfranchise the Many': Thatcherism and the 'Property-Owning Democracy." ''Twentieth Century British History'' (2011)</ref>

=== 1945–1975: Post-war consensus ===
{{Main|Post-war Britain (1945–1979)}}
==== Popular dissatisfaction ====
While serving in Opposition during the late 1940s, the Conservative Party exploited and incited growing public anger at [[Rationing in the United Kingdom|food rationing]], scarcity, controls, [[austerity]], and government bureaucracy. It used the dissatisfaction with the [[socialist]] and [[egalitarian]] policies of the Labour Party to rally middle-class supporters and build a political comeback that won them the [[1951 United Kingdom general election|1951 general election]].<ref>Zweiniger-Bargileowska, Ina. "Rationing, austerity and the Conservative party recovery after 1945." ''Historical Journal'' (1994) 37#1 pp. 173–97.</ref>

==== Modernising the party ====
[[File:Harold Macmillan.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Harold Macmillan]] is closely associated with the post-war settlement.]]
In 1947, the party published its [[Industrial Charter]] which marked its acceptance of the "[[post-war consensus]]" on the [[mixed economy]] and [[labour rights]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Kynaston, David |author-link = David Kynaston|year=2007 |title=Austerity Britain: 1945–1951 |location=London |publisher=Bloomsbury |isbn=978-0-7475-7985-4 |pages=238–41}}</ref> [[David Maxwell Fyfe]] chaired a committee into Conservative Party organisation that resulted in the Maxwell Fyfe Report (1948–49). The report required the party to do more fundraising, by forbidding constituency associations from demanding large donations from candidates, with the intention of broadening the [[diversity (politics)|diversity]] of MPs. In practice, it may have had the effect of lending more power to [[United Kingdom constituencies|constituency]] parties and making candidates more uniform.<ref>Dutton, D. J. (2004). "[http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/33301 Fyfe, David Patrick Maxwell, Earl of Kilmuir (1900–1967)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206011849/http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/33301 |date=6 February 2016 }}", ''[[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]]'', Oxford University Press. Retrieved 4 August 2007 {{ODNBsub}}</ref> [[Winston Churchill]], the party leader, brought in a [[Chairman of the Conservative Party|Party chairman]] to modernise the party: [[Frederick Marquis, 1st Earl of Woolton]] rebuilt the local organisations with an emphasis on membership, money, and a unified national propaganda appeal on critical issues.<ref>Blake, Robert. ''The Conservative Party from Peel to Major'' (1997) pp. 260–64.</ref>

With a narrow victory at the [[1951 United Kingdom general election|1951 general election]], despite losing the popular vote, Churchill was back in power. Apart from rationing, which was ended in 1954, most of the [[welfare state]] enacted by Labour were accepted by the Conservatives and became part of the "post-war consensus" that was satirised as [[Butskellism]] and that lasted until the 1970s.<ref>[[Toye, Richard]]. "From 'Consensus' to 'Common Ground': The Rhetoric of the Postwar Settlement and its Collapse," ''Journal of Contemporary History'' (2013) 48#1 pp. 3–23.</ref><ref>''The Economist'', 'Mr Butskell's Dilemma', 13 February 1954.</ref> The Conservatives were conciliatory towards unions, but they did privatise the steel and road haulage industries in 1953.<ref>{{cite book |author=Morgan, Kenneth O. |author-link=Kenneth O. Morgan |title=Britain Since 1945: The People's Peace: The People's Peace |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tKwGaWWKzNAC&pg=PA114 |year=2001 |publisher=Oxford UP |pages=114–15 |isbn=9780191587993 |access-date=25 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101200045/https://books.google.com/books?id=tKwGaWWKzNAC&pg=PA114 |archive-date=1 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the Conservatives' thirteen-year tenure in office, pensions went up by 49% in real terms, sickness and unemployment benefits by 76% in real terms, and supplementary benefits by 46% in real terms. However, family allowances fell by 15% in real terms.<ref>The Labour Party in Crisis by Paul Whiteley</ref> "Thirteen Wasted Years" was a popular slogan attacking the Conservative record, primarily from Labour. In addition, there were attacks by the right wing of the Conservative Party itself for its tolerance of socialist policies and reluctance to curb the legal powers of labour unions.

The Conservatives were re-elected in [[1955 United Kingdom general election|1955]] and [[1959 United Kingdom general election|1959]] with larger majorities. Conservative Prime Ministers Churchill, [[Anthony Eden]], [[Harold Macmillan]] and [[Alec Douglas-Home]] promoted relatively liberal trade regulations and less state involvement throughout the 1950s and early 1960s. The [[Suez Crisis]] of 1956 was a humiliating defeat for Prime Minister Eden, but his successor, Macmillan, minimised the damage and focused attention on domestic issues and prosperity. Following controversy over the selections of Harold Macmillan and Alec Douglas-Home via a process of consultation known as the 'Magic Circle',<ref>Thorpe, D.R. (2010). ''Supermac''.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/history/past-prime-ministers/alec-douglas-home|title=History of Sir Alec Douglas|publisher=Inside Government|access-date=18 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108014311/https://www.gov.uk/government/history/past-prime-ministers/alec-douglas-home|archive-date=8 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> a formal election process was created and [[1965 Conservative Party leadership election|the first leadership election]] was held in 1965, won by Edward Heath.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/27/newsid_2956000/2956082.stm|title=On This Day 1965: Heath is new Tory leader|work=BBC News|date=27 July 1996|access-date=18 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127031248/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/27/newsid_2956000/2956082.stm|archive-date=27 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 1965–1975: Edward Heath ====
[[File:Edward Heath 4 Allan Warren.jpg|thumbnail|upright=0.75|left|[[Edward Heath]]]]
[[Edward Heath]]'s 1970–74 government was known for taking the UK into the [[EEC]], although the right-wing of the party objected to his failure to control the trade unions at a time when a declining British industry saw many strikes, as well as the [[1973–75 recession]]. Since accession to the EEC, which developed into the EU, British membership has been a source of heated debate within the party.

Heath had come to power in [[1970 United Kingdom general election|June 1970]] and the last possible date for the next general election was not until mid-1975.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/basics/4393297.stm|work=BBC News|title=1970: Heath's surprise victory|date=5 April 2005|access-date=1 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422054124/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/basics/4393297.stm|archive-date=22 April 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> However a general election was held in [[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|February 1974]] in a bid to win public support during a [[Three-day week|national emergency]] caused by the miners' strike. Heath's attempt to win a second term at this "snap" election failed, as a deadlock result [[hung parliament|left no party with an overall majority]]. Heath resigned within days, after failing to gain [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal Party]] support to form a coalition government. Labour won the [[October 1974 United Kingdom general election|October 1974 election]] with an overall majority of three seats.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/basics/4393307.stm|work=BBC News|title=1974&nbsp;Oct&nbsp;: Wilson makes it four|date=5 April 2005|access-date=1 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422042401/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/basics/4393307.stm|archive-date=22 April 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1975–1990: Margaret Thatcher===
{{Further|Premiership of Margaret Thatcher}}
[[File:Margaret Thatcher (1983).jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Margaret Thatcher]]]]
Loss of power weakened Heath's control over the party and [[Margaret Thatcher]] deposed him in the [[1975 Conservative Party leadership election|1975 leadership election]]. Thatcher led her party to victory at the [[1979 United Kingdom general election|1979 general election]] with a manifesto which concentrated on the party's philosophy.<ref>[[David Butler (psephologist)|David Butler]] and Dennis Kavanagh, "The British General Election of 1979", Macmillan, 1979, p. 154.</ref>

As Prime Minister, Thatcher focused on rejecting the mild liberalism of the [[post-war consensus]] that tolerated or encouraged nationalisation, strong labour unions, heavy regulation, and high taxes.<ref>David Dutton, ''British Politics Since 1945: The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of Consensus'' (2nd ed. Blackwell, 1997).</ref> She did not challenge the [[National Health Service]], and supported the Cold War policies of the consensus, but otherwise tried to dismantle and delegitimise it. She built a right-wing political ideology that became known as [[Thatcherism]], based on social and economic ideas from British and American intellectuals such as [[Friedrich Hayek]] and [[Milton Friedman]]. Thatcher believed that too much socially democratic-oriented government policy was leading to a long-term decline in the British economy. As a result, her government pursued a programme of [[economic liberalism]], adopting a free-market approach to public services based on the sale of publicly owned industries and utilities, as well as a reduction in trade union power.

One of Thatcher's largest and most successful policies assisted council house tenants in public housing to purchase their homes at favourable rates. The "Right to Buy" had emerged in the late 1940s but was too great a challenge to the post-war consensus to win Conservative endorsement. Thatcher favoured the idea because it would lead to a "property-owning democracy", an important idea that had emerged in the 1920s.<ref name="Matthew Francis 2011"/> Some local Conservative-run councils enacted profitable local sales schemes during the late 1960s. By the 1970s, many working-class people could afford to buy homes, and eagerly adopted Thatcher's invitation to purchase their homes at a sizable discount. The new owners were more likely to vote Conservative, as Thatcher had hoped.<ref>Aled Davies, "'Right to Buy': The Development of a Conservative Housing Policy, 1945–1980." ''Contemporary British History'' 27.4 (2013): 421–44.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283171436 |title=Stephen Farrall, et al. "Thatcherite Ideology, Housing Tenure, and Crime: The Socio-Spatial Consequences of the Right to Buy for Domestic Property Crime." ''British Journal of Criminology'' (2015) |access-date=3 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104002256/https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Will_Jennings2/publication/283171436_Thatcherite_Ideology_Housing_Tenure_and_Crime_The_Socio-Spatial_Consequences_of_the_Right_to_Buy_for_Domestic_Property_Crime/links/5643f42008aef646e6ca1355.pdf |archive-date=4 November 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Thatcher led the Conservatives to two further electoral victories in [[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983]] and [[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987]]. She was deeply unpopular in certain sections of society due to high unemployment and her response to the [[UK miners' strike (1984–1985)|miners' strike]]. Unemployment had doubled between 1979 and 1982, largely due to Thatcher's [[monetarist]] battle against inflation.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/basics/4393313.stm|work=BBC News|title=1983: Thatcher triumphs again|date=5 April 2005|access-date=1 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422033837/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/basics/4393313.stm|archive-date=22 April 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Stephanie Flanders|title=Were 364 economists all wrong?|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/4803858.stm|work=BBC News|access-date=13 January 2015|author-link=Stephanie Flanders|archive-date=29 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929054132/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4803858.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time of the [[1979 United Kingdom general election|1979 general election]], inflation had been at 9% or under for the previous year, then increased to over 20% in the first two years of the Thatcher ministry, but it had fallen again to 5.8% by the start of 1983.<ref>{{cite web|title=Consumer Price Indices – RPI annual percentage change: 1948 to 2014|url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/datasets-and-tables/data-selector.html?cdid=CZBI&dataset=mm23&table-id=2.2|author=Office for National Statistics|publisher=UK Government|date=13 January 2015|access-date=13 January 2015|author-link=Office for National Statistics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213013820/http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/datasets-and-tables/data-selector.html?cdid=CZBI&dataset=mm23&table-id=2.2|archive-date=13 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

The period of unpopularity of the Conservatives in the early 1980s coincided with a crisis in the Labour Party, which then formed the main opposition. Victory in the [[Falklands War]] in June 1982, along with the recovering British economy, saw the Conservatives returning quickly to the top of the opinion polls and winning the 1983 general election with a landslide majority, due to a split opposition vote.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk" /> By the time of the general election in June 1987, the economy was stronger, with lower inflation and falling unemployment and Thatcher secured her third successive electoral victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/basics/4393315.stm|work=BBC News|title=1987: Thatcher's third victory|date=5 April 2005|access-date=1 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422033842/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/basics/4393315.stm|archive-date=22 April 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

The introduction of the [[Community Charge]] (known by its opponents as the ''poll tax'') in 1989 is often cited as contributing to her political downfall. Internal party tensions led to a leadership challenge by the Conservative MP [[Michael Heseltine]] and she resigned on 28 November 1990.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/22/newsid_2549000/2549189.stm |work=BBC News |title=On This Day 1990: Thatcher quits as prime minister |date=22 November 1990 |access-date=1 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307114202/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/22/newsid_2549000/2549189.stm |archive-date=7 March 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===1990–1997: John Major===
[[File:John Major 1996.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[John Major]], Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1990–1997)]]
[[John Major]] won the party leadership election on 27 November 1990, and his appointment led to an almost immediate boost in Conservative Party fortunes.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/27/newsid_2528000/2528847.stm |title=1990: Tories choose Major for Number 10 |publisher=BBC On This Day |access-date=11 September 2023 |archive-date=7 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307114011/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/27/newsid_2528000/2528847.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[1992 United Kingdom general election|election]] was held on 9 April 1992 and the Conservatives won a fourth successive electoral victory, contrary to predictions from opinion polls.<ref name="1992GE">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/basics/4393317.stm|work=BBC News|title=1992: Tories win again against odds|date=5 April 2005|access-date=1 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422045259/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/basics/4393317.stm|archive-date=22 April 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/exclusive-how-did-labour-lose-in-92-the-most-authoritative-study-of-the-last-general-election-is-published-tomorrow-here-its-authors-present-their-conclusions-and-explode-the-myths-about-the-greatest-upset-since-1945-1439286.html |title=Exclusive: How did Labour lose in '92?: The most authoritative study of the last general election is published tomorrow. Here, its authors present their conclusions and explode the myths about the greatest upset since 1945 |author=Anthony Heath, Roger Jowell and John Curtice |work=The Independent |date=29 May 1994 |access-date=11 September 2023 |archive-date=14 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914014804/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/exclusive-how-did-labour-lose-in-92-the-most-authoritative-study-of-the-last-general-election-is-published-tomorrow-here-its-authors-present-their-conclusions-and-explode-the-myths-about-the-greatest-upset-since-1945-1439286.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Conservatives became the first party to attract 14 million votes in a general election.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/background/pastelec/92keyiss.htm |title=Key Issues in the 1992 Campaign |publisher=BBC News |access-date=11 September 2023 |archive-date=14 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914194203/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/background/pastelec/92keyiss.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/documents/commons-information-office/m13.pdf |title=General Election Results, 9 April 1992 (PDF) |publisher=UK Parliament |access-date=11 September 2023 |archive-date=14 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114185026/https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/documents/commons-information-office/m13.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 16 September 1992, the Government suspended Britain's membership of the [[European Exchange Rate Mechanism]] (ERM), after the pound fell lower than its minimum level in the ERM, a day thereafter referred to as ''[[Black Wednesday]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/16/newsid_2519000/2519013.stm |title=1992: UK crashes out of ERM |publisher=BBC On This Day |access-date=11 September 2023 |archive-date=13 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613130202/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/16/newsid_2519000/2519013.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Soon after, approximately one million householders faced repossession of their homes during a recession that saw a sharp rise in unemployment, taking it close to 3 million people.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=22 April 1993 |title=Mr Major's Comments on the Economy (I) – 22 April 1993 – The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH |url=https://johnmajorarchive.org.uk/1993/04/22/mr-majors-comments-on-the-economy-i-22-april-1993/ |access-date=21 September 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> The party subsequently lost much of its reputation for good financial stewardship. The end of the recession was declared in April 1993.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/26/newsid_2503000/2503271.stm|work=BBC News|title=1993: Recession over&nbsp;– it's official|date=26 April 1993|access-date=1 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916043238/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/26/newsid_2503000/2503271.stm|archive-date=16 September 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> From 1994 to 1997, Major [[privatisation of British Rail|privatised British Rail]].

The party was plagued by internal division and infighting, mainly over the UK's role in the [[European Union]]. The party's [[Euroscepticism in the United Kingdom|Eurosceptic]] wing, represented by MPs such as [[John Redwood]], opposed further EU integration, whilst the party's pro-European wing, represented by those such as Chancellor of the Exchequer [[Kenneth Clarke]], was broadly supportive. The issue of the creation of a single European currency also inflamed tensions.<ref>{{cite web|last=W|first=Tony Blair, Cameron, Gordon Brown, Labour Party, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, John Redwood, Kenneth Clarke, Diana, Princess of Wales, George|title=Lecture 5 The Blair Revolution ppt download|url=https://slideplayer.com/slide/14043750/|access-date=25 February 2021|website=slideplayer.com|archive-date=8 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108140520/https://slideplayer.com/slide/14043750/|url-status=live}}</ref> Major survived a leadership challenge in 1995 by Redwood, but Redwood received 89 votes, further undermining Major's influence.<ref>The Conservative Party – From Thatcher to Cameron</ref>

The Conservative government was increasingly accused in the media of "[[Political scandals in the United Kingdom|sleaze]]". Their support reached its lowest ebb in late 1994. Over the next two years the Conservatives gained some credit for the strong economic recovery and fall in unemployment.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8280050.stm|work=BBC News|title=Poll tracker: Interactive guide to the opinion polls|date=29 September 2009|access-date=1 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217050955/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8280050.stm|archive-date=17 December 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> But an effective opposition campaign by the Labour Party culminated in a landslide defeat for the Conservatives [[1997 United Kingdom general election|in 1997]], their worst defeat since the [[1906 United Kingdom general election|1906 general election]]. The 1997 election left the Conservative Party as an England-only party, with all Scottish and Welsh seats having been lost, and not a single new seat having been gained anywhere.

=== 1997–2010: Political wilderness ===

Major resigned as party leader and was succeeded by [[William Hague]].<ref name="1997OTD">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/2/newsid_2480000/2480505.stm |title=1997: Labour routs Tories in historic election |publisher=BBC – On This Day |access-date=15 August 2023 |archive-date=7 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307132847/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/2/newsid_2480000/2480505.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001 general election]] resulted in a net gain of one seat for the Conservative Party and returned a mostly unscathed Labour Party back to government.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/results_constituencies/default.stm |title=BBC Vote 2001 – Results & Constituencies |publisher=BBC News |access-date=15 August 2023 |archive-date=7 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407095626/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/results_constituencies/default.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> This all occurred months after the [[Fuel protests in the United Kingdom|fuel protests of September 2000]] had seen the Conservatives briefly take a narrow lead over Labour in the opinion polls.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk_politics/2000/conferences/conservatives/951134.stm |title=Hague: All to play for |author=Nick Assinder |publisher=BBC News |date=1 October 2000 |access-date=16 August 2023 |archive-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816144009/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk_politics/2000/conferences/conservatives/951134.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2001, [[Iain Duncan Smith]] was elected leader of the party.<ref name="1997OTD"/> Although Duncan Smith was a strong [[Eurosceptic]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1534417.stm |title=Rebel's rise to the top |author=Nyta Mann |publisher=BBC News |date=13 September 2001 |access-date=16 August 2023 |archive-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816144007/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1534417.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> during his tenure, Europe ceased to be an issue of division in the party as it united behind calls for a referendum on the proposed [[European Union Constitution]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=The Parliamentary Conservative Party: The leadership elections of William Hague and Iain Duncan Smith |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/40039718.pdf |journal=University of Huddersfield |access-date=20 January 2024 |archive-date=1 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301070230/https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/40039718.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> However, before he could lead the party into a general election, Duncan Smith lost the vote on a [[motion of no confidence]] by MPs.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3225127.stm |title=Tory leader ousted |publisher=BBC News |date=29 October 2003 |access-date=16 August 2023 |archive-date=22 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822141536/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3225127.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> This was despite the Conservative support equalling that of Labour in the months leading up to his departure from the leadership.<ref name="autogenerated2" />

[[Michael Howard]] then [[2003 Conservative Party leadership election|stood for the leadership unopposed]] on 6 November 2003.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/nov/06/conservatives.uk2 |title=Howard wins Tory leadership by default |author=Matthew Tempest |work=The Guardian |date=6 November 2003 |access-date=15 August 2023}}</ref> Under Howard's leadership in the [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005 general election]], the Conservative Party increased their total vote share and—more significantly—their number of parliamentary seats, reducing Labour's majority.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukpolitical.info/2005.htm|title=2005 General election results summary|work=UK Political Info|access-date=30 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223235535/http://www.ukpolitical.info/2005.htm|archive-date=23 February 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The day following the election, Howard resigned.

[[David Cameron]] won the [[2005 Conservative Party leadership election|2005 leadership election]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/dec/06/toryleadership2005.conservatives2 |title=Tories crown Cameron their new leader |author=Matthew Tempest |work=The Guardian |date=6 December 2005 |access-date=15 August 2023}}</ref> He then announced his intention to reform and realign the Conservatives.<ref name="Cameron-speech">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/dec/06/toryleadership2005.conservatives3 |title=Full text of David Cameron's victory speech |access-date=20 April 2007 |date=12 June 2005 |work=The Guardian |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112141018/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/dec/06/toryleadership2005.conservatives3 |archive-date=12 January 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8131792.stm |work=BBC News |title=Minister in Tory homophobia claim |first=Brian |last=Wheeler |date=3 July 2009 |access-date=7 July 2009 |archive-date=8 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108140640/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8131792.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> For most of 2006 and the first half of 2007, polls showed leads over Labour for the Conservatives.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/voting-intention/labcon-forced-choice/| title = Conservative or Labour preference ("forced choice")| access-date = 20 April 2007| work = UK Polling Report| publisher = YouGov| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070502110345/http://www.ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/voting-intention/labcon-forced-choice/| archive-date = 2 May 2007| url-status = live}}</ref> Polls became more volatile in summer 2007 with the accession of [[Gordon Brown]] as Prime Minister. The Conservatives gained control of the London [[Mayor of London|mayoralty]] for the first time in 2008 after [[Boris Johnson]] defeated the Labour incumbent, [[Ken Livingstone]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=news.story.page&obj_id=144004 |title= Boris is the new Mayor of London |date=3 May 2008 |publisher=Conservative Party |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080506110344/http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=news.story.page&obj_id=144004 |archive-date= 6 May 2008}}</ref>

=== 2010–2025: Austerity, Brexit, and the pandemic ===
In May 2010 the Conservative Party came to government, first under a coalition with the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] and later as a series of majority and minority governments. During this period there were five Conservative Prime Ministers: David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak. The initial period of this time, primarily under the premiership of David Cameron, was marked by the ongoing effects of the [[2008 financial crisis]] and the implementation of [[United Kingdom government austerity programme|austerity measures]] in response. From 2015 the predominant political event was the [[Brexit]] referendum and the process to implement the decision to leave the trade bloc.

The Conservatives' time in office was marked by several controversies. The presence of [[Islamophobia in the UK Conservative Party|Islamophobia in the Conservative Party]], including allegations against its policies, fringes, and structure, was often in the public eye. These include allegations against senior politicians such as [[Boris Johnson]], [[Michael Gove]], [[Theresa May]], and [[Zac Goldsmith]].

During the period of the Cameron<ref name="Cowburn 2017 x541">{{cite web | last=Cowburn | first=Ashley | title=Tory MPs blocked bid to sign up to code stopping sexual harassment | website=The Independent | date=2017-10-30 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-mps-code-of-conduct-sexual-harassment-david-cameron-staff-protect-westminster-parliament-john-bercow-theresa-may-commons-a8027691.html | access-date=2023-11-14 | archive-date=14 November 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114232440/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-mps-code-of-conduct-sexual-harassment-david-cameron-staff-protect-westminster-parliament-john-bercow-theresa-may-commons-a8027691.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Cohen 2017 r220">{{cite web | last=Cohen | first=Tamara | title=Tory MPs Daniel Kawczynski, Dan Poulter and Stephen Crabb investigated | website=Sky News | date=2017-11-05 | url=https://news.sky.com/story/tory-mps-dan-poulter-and-stephen-crabb-investigated-by-party-11114470 | access-date=2023-11-15 | archive-date=15 November 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115220042/https://news.sky.com/story/tory-mps-dan-poulter-and-stephen-crabb-investigated-by-party-11114470 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Watts 2017 y333">{{cite web | last=Watts | first=Joe | title=Member of David Cameron's team accused of groping woman's breast at No 10 | website=The Independent | date=2017-11-14 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-team-groping-accusation-daisy-goodwin-downing-street-official-a8053081.html | access-date=2023-11-15 | archive-date=15 November 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115220042/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-team-groping-accusation-daisy-goodwin-downing-street-official-a8053081.html | url-status=live }}</ref> and Johnson governments,<ref name="Halliday 2022 r197">{{cite web | last=Halliday | first=Josh | title=Scandal after scandal: timeline of Tory sleaze under Boris Johnson | website=The Guardian | date=2022-07-01 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/01/scandal-timeline-tory-sleaze-boris-johnson | access-date=2023-11-14}}</ref> a number of Conservative MPs have been accused or convicted of sexual misconduct, with cases including the consumption of pornography in parliament, rape, groping, and sexual harassment.<ref name="Savage Helm 2017 o437">{{cite web | last1=Savage | first1=Michael | last2=Helm | first2=Toby | title=Why a tide of sexual allegations has swept through Westminster | website=the Guardian | date=2017-11-04 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/nov/04/sexual-allegations-westminster-scandal | access-date=2023-11-14}}</ref><ref name="ITV News 2022 f647">{{cite web | title=All the Tories embroiled in sexual misconduct allegations since 2019 | website=ITV News | date=2022-07-04 | url=https://www.itv.com/news/2022-07-01/all-the-tories-embroiled-in-sexual-misconduct-allegations-since-2019 | access-date=2023-11-14 | archive-date=14 November 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114232434/https://www.itv.com/news/2022-07-01/all-the-tories-embroiled-in-sexual-misconduct-allegations-since-2019 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Samuelson 2022 z079">{{cite web | last=Samuelson | first=Kate | title=Have the Conservatives got a sexual harassment problem? | website=The Week | date=2022-04-04 | url=https://theweek.com/news/politics/956321/have-conservatives-got-sexual-harassment-problem | access-date=2023-11-14 | archive-date=14 November 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114232715/https://theweek.com/news/politics/956321/have-conservatives-got-sexual-harassment-problem | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, a list of 36 sitting Conservative MPs accused of inappropriate sexual behaviour was leaked. The list is believed to have been compiled by party staff.<ref name="Simpson 2017 f842">{{cite web | last=Simpson | first=Fiona | title=36 MPs named in Tory sexual misconduct 'spreadsheet of shame' | website=Evening Standard | date=2017-10-30 | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/leaked-spreadsheet-reveals-sexual-harassment-claims-against-36-mps-a3670961.html | access-date=2023-11-14}}</ref> Following accusations of multiple cases of rape against an unnamed Tory MP in 2023<ref name="Blewitt 2023 c778">{{cite web | last=Blewitt | first=Sam | title=Anyone with information on Tory 'serial rapist' claims, must report them to police, says Sunak | website=Independent.ie | date=2023-11-07 | url=https://www.independent.ie/world-news/britain/anyone-with-information-on-tory-serial-rapist-claims-must-report-them-to-police-says-sunak/a1927628403.html | access-date=2023-11-14 | archive-date=14 November 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114232433/https://www.independent.ie/world-news/britain/anyone-with-information-on-tory-serial-rapist-claims-must-report-them-to-police-says-sunak/a1927628403.html | url-status=live }}</ref> and allegations of a cover-up,<ref name="BBC News 2023 s403">{{cite web | title=Deputy PM Oliver Dowden denies cover-up over MP rape allegations | website=BBC News | date=2023-11-05 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-67325120 | access-date=2023-11-14}}</ref><ref name="Crerar 2023 t116">{{cite web | last=Crerar | first=Pippa | title=Rape claims against Tory MP were not covered up, says deputy PM | website=The Guardian | date=2023-11-05 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/nov/05/rape-claims-against-tory-mp-were-not-covered-up-says-deputy-pm | access-date=2023-11-14}}</ref> [[Sayeeda Warsi, Baroness Warsi|Baroness Warsi]], who has served as the party's co-chairman under David Cameron, stated that the Conservative Party has had a problem handling complaints of sexual misconducts against members appropriately.<ref name="Wright 2023 i317">{{cite web | last=Wright | first=Oliver | title=Tories 'have mishandled bullying and sexual misconduct claims for years' | website=The Times & The Sunday Times | date=2023-11-07 | url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/url-tory-party-bullying-sexual-misconduct-rape-allegations-mpg0jvdhl | access-date=2023-11-14 | archive-date=14 November 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114232433/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/url-tory-party-bullying-sexual-misconduct-rape-allegations-mpg0jvdhl | url-status=live }}</ref>

====2010–2016: David Cameron====
{{Main article|Premiership of David Cameron}}
[[File:Prime Minister David Cameron - official photograph (8947770804).jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[David Cameron]]]]The 2010 election resulted in a [[hung parliament]] with the Conservatives having the most seats but short of an overall majority.<ref name="2010GEresults">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8677552.stm |title=Election 2010 Timeline: How coalition was agreed |publisher=BBC News |date=13 May 2010 |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=6 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906140456/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8677552.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the resignation of [[Gordon Brown]], Cameron was named Prime Minister, and the Conservatives [[Cameron–Clegg coalition|entered government in a coalition]] with the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]]—the first postwar [[coalition government]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-10109774 |title=Election 2010: David Cameron becomes new UK Prime Minister |author=Robin Brant |publisher=BBC News |date=12 May 2010 |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814120214/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-10109774 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-01-07/timeline-coalition-tensions-since-may-2010/ |title=Top Tory admits Govt 'broken' |publisher=ITV |date=7 January 2013 |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814120215/https://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-01-07/timeline-coalition-tensions-since-may-2010/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Cameron's premiership was marked by the effects of the [[2008 financial crisis]]; these involved a large deficit in government finances that his government sought to reduce through controversial [[United Kingdom government austerity programme|austerity measures]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/63304224 |title=What is austerity and where could 'eye-watering' cuts fall now? |publisher=BBC News |date=17 November 2022 |access-date=4 August 2023 |archive-date=4 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804095005/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/63304224 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43254809 |title=David Cameron and George Osborne hail plan after UK deficit target met |publisher=BBC News |date=2 March 2018 |access-date=4 August 2023 |archive-date=4 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804095003/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43254809 |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2014, the Unionist side, championed by Labour as well as by the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats, won in the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|Scottish Independence referendum]] by 55% No to 45% Yes on the question "Should Scotland be an independent country".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16503307 |title=Cameron and Miliband unite to oppose Scots independence |publisher=BBC News |date=11 January 2012 |access-date=15 August 2023 |archive-date=15 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815114900/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16503307 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/events/scotland-decides/results |title=Scottish independence referendum Results |publisher=BBC News |access-date=15 August 2023 |archive-date=18 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918212409/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/events/scotland-decides/results |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]], the Conservatives formed a majority government under Cameron.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/db4d60b2-f574-11e4-bc6d-00144feab7de.html#axzz4ACNy4msM | title=It is 1992 all over again for David Cameron's Conservatives | publisher=[[The Nikkei|Nikkei]] | work=[[Financial Times]] | date=8 May 2015 | access-date=31 May 2016 | author=Parker, George | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625075156/http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/db4d60b2-f574-11e4-bc6d-00144feab7de.html#axzz4ACNy4msM | archive-date=25 June 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref> After speculation of a referendum on the UK's EU membership throughout his premiership, a vote was announced for June 2016 in which Cameron campaigned to remain in the EU.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-19741561 |title=David Cameron considers a referendum on Europe |author=Nick Robinson |publisher=BBC News |date=27 September 2012 |access-date=4 August 2023 |archive-date=4 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804095003/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-19741561 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-33141819 |title=EU referendum timeline: Countdown to the vote |publisher=BBC News |date=20 February 2016 |access-date=15 August 2023 |archive-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123151409/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-33141819 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 24 June 2016, Cameron announced his intention to resign as Prime Minister, after he failed to convince the British public to [[EU Referendum UK|stay in the European Union]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-cameron-idUSKCN0ZA11H |title=UK PM Cameron says will step down by October after Brexit vote |author=William James |publisher=Reuters |date=24 June 2016 |access-date=4 August 2023 |archive-date=4 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804095004/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-cameron-idUSKCN0ZA11H |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2016–2019: Theresa May====
{{Main article|Premiership of Theresa May}}
[[File:Theresa May (2016) 02.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Theresa May]]]]
On 11 July 2016, [[Theresa May]] became the leader of the Conservative Party.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36763208 |title=Theresa May set to be UK PM after Andrea Leadsom quits |publisher=BBC News |date=11 July 2016 |access-date=30 July 2023 |archive-date=11 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711120043/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36763208 |url-status=live }}</ref> May promised social reform and a more centrist political outlook for the Conservative Party and its government.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/11/theresa-may-tory-leadership-pitch-andrea-leadsom|title=May promises social reform in centrist leadership pitch|first=Rowena|last=Mason|date=11 July 2016|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201180303/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/11/theresa-may-tory-leadership-pitch-andrea-leadsom|archive-date=1 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> May's early cabinet appointments were interpreted as an effort to reunite the party in the wake of the UK's [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|vote to leave the European Union]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/13/theresa-may-becomes-britains-prime-minister|title=Theresa May appeals to centre ground but cabinet tilts to the right|first=Heather|last=Stewart|date=13 July 2016|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713235732/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/13/theresa-may-becomes-britains-prime-minister|archive-date=13 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

She began the process of [[Brexit|withdrawing the UK from the European Union]] in March 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-may-idUKKBN1701H4 |title=May says has triggered Article 50 to begin Brexit process |publisher=Reuters |date=29 March 2017 |access-date=30 July 2023 |archive-date=30 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730161556/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-may-idUKKBN1701H4 |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2017, the Cabinet agreed to hold a [[2017 United Kingdom general election|general election]] on 8 June.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39630009 |title=Theresa May's general election statement in full |publisher=BBC News |date=18 April 2017 |access-date=30 July 2023 |archive-date=19 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419014523/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39630009 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a shock result, the election resulted in a [[hung parliament]], with the Conservative Party needing a [[Conservative–DUP agreement|confidence and supply]] arrangement with the [[Democratic Unionist Party|DUP]] to support a minority government.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/election-2017-polls-latest-yougov-hung-parliament-prediction-why-conservatives-labour-win-seats-majority-a7764401.html |title=Election 2017 polls latest: YouGov explains shock hung parliament prediction |author=Jon Sharman |work=The Independent |date=31 May 2017 |access-date=30 July 2023 |archive-date=30 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730161556/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/election-2017-polls-latest-yougov-hung-parliament-prediction-why-conservatives-labour-win-seats-majority-a7764401.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2017-40245514 |title=Theresa May and the DUP deal: What you need to know |author=Alex Hunt |publisher=BBC News |date=26 June 2017 |access-date=30 July 2023 |archive-date=23 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123150803/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2017-40245514 |url-status=live }}</ref>

May's Premiership was dominated by Brexit as she carried out negotiations with the European Union, adhering to the [[Chequers Plan]], which resulted in her draft [[Brexit withdrawal agreement]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45543609 |title=Brexit: Theresa May says it's Chequers or no deal |publisher=BBC News |date=17 September 2018 |access-date=30 July 2023 |archive-date=30 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730161559/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45543609 |url-status=live }}</ref> May survived two votes of no confidence in December 2018 and January 2019, but after versions of her draft withdrawal agreement were [[Parliamentary votes on Brexit|rejected by Parliament three times]], May announced her resignation on 24 May 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Theresa May resigns over Brexit: What happened?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48379730|work=BBC News|access-date=26 May 2019|date=24 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526033012/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48379730|archive-date=26 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Subsequent to the EU referendum vote, and through the premierships of May, Boris Johnson, and their successors, the party shifted right on the political spectrum.<ref name="accu" />

====2019–2022: Boris Johnson====
{{Main article|Premiership of Boris Johnson}}
[[File:Boris Johnson official portrait.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Boris Johnson]]]]
In July 2019 [[Boris Johnson]] became Leader of the party.<ref name='bbc230719'>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49084605|title=Boris Johnson wins race to be Tory leader and PM|website=BBC News|date=23 July 2019|access-date=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130125915/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49084605|archive-date=30 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> He became Prime Minister the next day. Johnson had made withdrawal from the EU by 31 October "with no ifs, buts or maybes" a key pledge during [[2019 Conservative Party leadership election|his campaign for party leadership]].<ref>{{cite web|website=BBC News|title=Boris Johnson in 'deal or no deal' Brexit challenge to rival Hunt|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48756819|date=17 December 2019|access-date=18 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730114835/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48756819|archive-date=30 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Johnson lost his working majority in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] on 3 September 2019.<ref name='bbc030919'>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49570682|title=Brexit: Tory MP defects ahead of crucial no deal vote|website=BBC News|date=3 September 2019|access-date=3 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903145348/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49570682|archive-date=3 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that same day, [[September 2019 suspension of rebel Conservative MPs|21 Conservative MPs had the Conservative whip withdrawn]] after voting with the Opposition to grant the House of Commons control over its order paper.<ref>{{cite web|website=BBC News|title=Brexit showdown: Who were Tory rebels who defied Boris Johnson?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49563357|date=3 September 2019|access-date=3 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903235045/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49563357|archive-date=3 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson would later halt the [[Withdrawal Agreement Bill]], calling for a general election.<ref>{{cite news|work=The Guardian|title=Johnson seeks 12 December election after shelving 'do or die' Brexit pledge|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/24/boris-johnson-to-ask-mps-to-back-pre-christmas-election|date=17 December 2019|access-date=18 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209213031/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/24/boris-johnson-to-ask-mps-to-back-pre-christmas-election|archive-date=9 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]] resulted in the Conservatives winning a majority, the Party's largest since [[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987]].<ref name='bbc131219'>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2019/results|title=UK results: Conservatives win majority|website=BBC News|date=13 December 2019|access-date=13 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213002620/https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2019/results|archive-date=13 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The party won several constituencies, particularly in [[Red Wall (British politics)|formerly traditional Labour seats]].<ref name="The Independent"/><ref name="Mueller"/> On 20 December 2019, MPs passed an agreement for withdrawing from the EU; the United Kingdom formally left on 31 January 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stewart |first=Heather |date=20 December 2019 |title=Brexit: MPs pass withdrawal agreement bill by 124 majority |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/20/brexit-pm-asks-britons-to-move-on-as-mps-debate-withdrawal-bill |access-date=23 October 2022 |archive-date=20 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220113442/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/20/brexit-pm-asks-britons-to-move-on-as-mps-debate-withdrawal-bill |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fella |first=Stefano |date=17 November 2020 |title=End of the Brexit transition period: What will change? |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/end-of-the-brexit-transition-period-what-will-change/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221023164756/https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/end-of-the-brexit-transition-period-what-will-change/ |archive-date=23 October 2022 |access-date=23 October 2022 |website=House of Commons Library}}</ref>

Johnson presided over the UK's response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="The Guardian">{{Cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Heather |last2=Proctor |first2=Kate |last3=Siddique |first3=Haroon |date=12 March 2020 |title=Johnson: many more people will lose loved ones to coronavirus |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/12/uk-moves-to-delay-phase-of-coronavirus-plan |access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref> From late 2021 onwards, Johnson received huge public backlash for the [[Partygate]] scandal, in which staff and senior members of government were pictured holding gatherings during lockdown contrary to Government guidance.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{Cite news |date=19 May 2022 |title=Partygate: A timeline of the lockdown gatherings |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59952395 |access-date=23 October 2022 |archive-date=23 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023173814/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59952395 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Metropolitan Police]] eventually fined Johnson for breaking lockdown rules in April 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Osborne |first=Samuel |date=13 April 2022 |title=Boris Johnson fined: Prime minister apologises after receiving fixed penalty notice for lockdown-breaking party |work=Sky News |url=https://news.sky.com/story/boris-johnson-fined-prime-minister-apologises-after-receiving-fixed-penalty-notice-for-lockdown-breaking-party-12588712 |access-date=23 October 2022 |archive-date=23 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023173813/https://news.sky.com/story/boris-johnson-fined-prime-minister-apologises-after-receiving-fixed-penalty-notice-for-lockdown-breaking-party-12588712 |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2022, Johnson admitted to appointing [[Chris Pincher]] as deputy chief whip while being aware of allegations of sexual assault against him.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Amos |first=Owen |date=7 July 2022 |title=Boris Johnson resigns: Five things that led to the PM's downfall |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62070422 |access-date=23 October 2022 |archive-date=22 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022190509/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62070422 |url-status=live }}</ref> This, along with Partygate and increasing criticisms on Johnson's handling of the cost-of-living crisis, provoked a [[July 2022 United Kingdom government crisis|government crisis]] following a loss in confidence and nearly 60 resignations from government officials, eventually leading to Johnson announcing his resignation on 7 July.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/07/europe/boris-johnson-resignation-intl/index.html |title=UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigns after mutiny in his party |author=Jack Guy, Luke MGee and Ivana Kottasova |work=CNN |date=7 July 2022|access-date=26 July 2023 |archive-date=25 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525153145/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/07/europe/boris-johnson-resignation-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=13 July 2022 |title=Boris Johnson: The inside story of the prime minister's downfall |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62150409 |access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref>

==== 2022: Liz Truss ====
{{Main article|Premiership of Liz Truss}}
[[File:Liz Truss official portrait.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Liz Truss]]]]
Boris Johnson's successor as leader was confirmed as [[Liz Truss]] on 5 September, following a [[July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election|leadership election]].<ref>{{cite news |title= How Liz Truss won the Conservative leadership race |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60037657 |work= 6 September 2022 |access-date= 7 September 2022 |archive-date= 5 September 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220905091715/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60037657 |url-status= live }}</ref> In a strategy labelled [[Trussonomics]] she introduced policies in response to the [[2021–2022 United Kingdom cost of living crisis|cost of living crisis]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sinclair |first=Tom |date=4 October 2022 |title=Cost-of-living crisis: Workers have gone without meals or pawned posessions says Union |url=https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/79152/cost-of-living-crisis-workers-have-gone-without-meals-or-pawned-posessions-says-union/ |access-date=5 October 2022 |website=The Pembrokeshire Herald |archive-date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004133948/https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/79152/cost-of-living-crisis-workers-have-gone-without-meals-or-pawned-posessions-says-union/ |url-status=live }}</ref> including price caps on energy bills and government help to pay them.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 2022 |title=Liz Truss to freeze energy bills at £2,500 a year average, funded by borrowing |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/sep/08/liz-truss-to-freeze-energy-bills-price-at-2500-a-year-funded-by-borrowing |access-date=5 October 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=20 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020125828/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/sep/08/liz-truss-to-freeze-energy-bills-price-at-2500-a-year-funded-by-borrowing |url-status=live }}</ref> Truss's [[Truss's mini-budget|mini-budget]] on 23 September faced severe criticism and markets reacted poorly;<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Webber |first1=Esther |last2=Brenton |first2=Hannah |last3=Courea |first3=Eleni |date=11 October 2022 |title=Liz Truss panics as markets keep plunging |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/britain-economy-liz-truss-mistakes-markets-tax-kwarteng/ |access-date=22 October 2022 |archive-date=22 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022091555/https://www.politico.eu/article/britain-economy-liz-truss-mistakes-markets-tax-kwarteng/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the pound fell to a record low of 1.03 against the dollar, and [[Gilt-edged securities|UK government gilt]] yields rose to 4.3 per cent, prompting the [[Bank of England]] to trigger an emergency bond-buying programme.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilchrist |first=Karen |title=UK's Liz Truss pledges tax-cutting future in landmark speech plagued by protest and political infighting |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/05/uks-liz-truss-pledges-tax-cutting-future-in-speech-plagued-by-protest.html |access-date=5 October 2022 |website=CNBC |date=5 October 2022 |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005115208/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/05/uks-liz-truss-pledges-tax-cutting-future-in-speech-plagued-by-protest.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Grierson |first=Jamie |date=30 September 2022 |title=How Kwasi Kwarteng's mini-budget hit UK economy – in numbers |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/30/how-kwasi-kwarteng-mini-budget-hit-uk-economy-in-numbers |access-date=22 October 2022}}</ref> After condemnation from the public, the Labour Party and her own party, Truss reversed some aspects of the mini-budget, including the abolition of the top rate of income tax.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 October 2022 |title=Liz Truss abandons plan to scrap 45p top rate of income tax amid Tory revolt |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/oct/03/liz-truss-abandon-plan-scrap-45p-top-rate-income-tax-tory-revolt-kwasi-kwarteng-chancellor |access-date=5 October 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005235553/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/oct/03/liz-truss-abandon-plan-scrap-45p-top-rate-income-tax-tory-revolt-kwasi-kwarteng-chancellor |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Liz Truss says she has 'absolutely no shame' in performing tax cut U-turn |url=https://news.sky.com/story/liz-truss-says-she-has-absolutely-no-shame-in-performing-tax-cut-u-turn-12711880 |access-date=5 October 2022 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> Following [[October 2022 United Kingdom government crisis|a government crisis]] Truss announced her resignation as prime minister on 20 October<ref name="BBC News">{{Cite news |date=20 October 2022 |title=Liz Truss resigns as prime minister after Tory revolt |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-63332037 |access-date=20 October 2022 |archive-date=20 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020124108/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63332037 |url-status=live }}</ref> after 44 days in office, the shortest premiership in British history.<ref name="BBC News" /><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Adam|last2=Booth |first1=Karla|first2=William |date=20 October 2022 |title=U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss announces resignation after six weeks in office |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/20/uk-liz-truss-resign-prime-minister/ |access-date=20 October 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> Truss also oversaw the worst polling the Conservatives had ever received, with Labour polling as high as 36 per cent above the Conservatives amidst the crisis.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-poll-liz-truss-labour-starmer-b2204553.html |title=Tories facing wipeout as Labour takes 36-point lead in new poll |author=Jon Stone |work=The Independent |date=17 October 2022 |access-date=26 July 2023 |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209115617/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-poll-liz-truss-labour-starmer-b2204553.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== 2022–2025: Rishi Sunak and Kemi Badenoch ====
{{Main article|Premiership of Rishi Sunak}}
[[File:Portrait of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (cropped 2).jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Rishi Sunak]]]]
On 24 October 2022, Rishi Sunak was declared Leader, the first [[British Asian]] Leader of the Conservatives and the first British Asian Prime Minister. On 22 May Sunak announced a general election to be held on 4 July 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Landler |first=Mark |date=2024-05-22 |title=Sunak Announces U.K. Elections for July 4, Months Earlier Than Expected |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/22/world/europe/uk-election-sunak-politics.html |access-date=2024-05-22 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522224012/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/22/world/europe/uk-election-sunak-politics.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]], public opinion in favour of a change in government was reflected by poor polling from the Conservative Party, with [[Reform UK]] making strong polling gains.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reform UK overtakes Conservatives in new poll in fresh blow for Rishi Sunak |url=https://news.sky.com/story/reform-uk-overtakes-conservatives-in-new-poll-in-fresh-blow-for-rishi-sunak-13150808 |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=Sky News |language=en |archive-date=13 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613195534/https://news.sky.com/story/reform-uk-overtakes-conservatives-in-new-poll-in-fresh-blow-for-rishi-sunak-13150808 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Conservative manifesto focused on the economy, taxes, welfare, expanding free childcare, education, healthcare, environment, energy, transport, and crime.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rishi Sunak: Tory manifesto will include tax cuts |date=10 June 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c722v3w66nwo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610181908/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c722v3w66nwo |archive-date=10 June 2024 |access-date=10 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Conservative manifesto 2024: summary of the key policies |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/conservative-party-manifesto-key-policies-rishi-sunak-general-election-9zvjqvttp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611082242/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/conservative-party-manifesto-key-policies-rishi-sunak-general-election-9zvjqvttp |archive-date=11 June 2024 |access-date=11 June 2024 |website=thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref> It pledged to lower taxes, increase education and NHS spending, deliver 92,000 more nurses and 28,000 more doctors, introduce a new model of National Service, and to treble Britain's offshore wind capacity and support solar energy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gutteridge |first=Nick |date=17 May 2024 |title=Conservative Party manifesto 2024: Rishi Sunak's policies for the general election |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/0/tory-manifesto-rishi-sunak-policies-general-election/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611232213/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/0/tory-manifesto-rishi-sunak-policies-general-election/ |archive-date=11 June 2024 |access-date=12 June 2024 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Powell |first=Rob |date=2024-05-25 |title=Sunak says he will bring back National Service if Tories win general election |url=https://news.sky.com/story/sunak-says-he-will-bring-back-national-service-if-tories-win-general-election-13143184 |access-date=2024-05-25 |archive-date=25 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525214109/https://news.sky.com/story/sunak-says-he-will-bring-back-national-service-if-tories-win-general-election-13143184 |url-status=live }}</ref> The final result was the lowest seat total at a general election in the history of the Conservative party, with well below the previous record low of 156 seats won at the [[1906 United Kingdom general election|1906 general election]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Live results map of the UK general election |url=https://www.ft.com/content/f7c426b0-3fdd-40b0-9110-39a280ada513 |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Financial Times |language=en-gb |archive-date=7 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707073452/https://ig.ft.com/uk-general-election/2024/results/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Kemi Badenoch]] became party leader following Sunak's defeat and resignation.<ref name="z459">{{cite web |last=Lawless |first=Jill |date=2024-11-02 |title=UK Conservatives pick Kemi Badenoch as new leader, first Black woman to head a big British party |url=https://apnews.com/article/uk-conservative-party-new-leader-elected-b2300368b66deb930dce1d9068ba0770 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=AP News}}</ref>
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