The Conservative Party traces its organized origins to the 1830s, emerging from the older Tory tradition and given a modern programmatic form in Robert Peel's 1834 Tamworth Manifesto. It has stood, with the Labour Party, as one of the two dominant parties in British politics, generally favoring free markets, private property and a more limited state role in the economy, and has produced a majority of Britain's prime ministers since the nineteenth century, including Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill.
Facts
Disputed
Founded Date1834 marks Robert Peel's Tamworth Manifesto, generally credited with founding the modern Conservative Party's identity out of the older Tory party; the party's central organization, Conservative Central Office, was not established until 1870, so historians differ on which date should count as the founding. Founded Year Headquarters Cross-Tradition Connections
Led By
Thatcher was elected leader of the Conservative Party in February 1975, defeating the incumbent Edward Heath, and led the party until November 1990, winning three general elections as prime minister in 1979, 1983 and 1987.
Churchill led the Conservative Party as Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955.
Part Of
Conservative governments exercise executive power under the Crown within the UK's constitutional monarchy, with the Prime Minister governing as the monarch's chief minister.
The Conservative Party has produced a majority of Britain's prime ministers since the nineteenth century, operating through the ordinary mechanics of Westminster parliamentary government.
Supports
Conservative Party Manifesto 2024, Defence chapter: committed to raising UK defence spending to NATO's 2.5%-of-GDP standard by 2030 and to campaigning for every NATO ally to meet the same baseline.
Sanctions on Russia, Policies 2024 manifesto cites the post-Brexit independent UK sanctions regime used against Russia as a record achievement, alongside a pledge to sustain Ukraine support "for as long as they are required."
Sources
1. Conservative Party (Britannica)
1. Conservative Party (Britannica)
Encyclopaedia BritannicaPart Of: Parliamentary Democracy, Party overviewView the Source 1. Conservative Party (Britannica)
Encyclopaedia BritannicaPart Of: Constitutional Monarchy, Party overviewView the Source Clear Plan. Bold Action. Secure Future.: The Conservative and Unionist Party Manifesto 2024 (Conservatives.com)
The Conservative and Unionist PartyPosition On: NATO Membership, Defence chapter, "Clear Plan. Bold Action. Secure Future." (2024 manifesto)Quote, Position On: NATO Membership, Defence chapter, "Clear Plan. Bold Action. Secure Future." (2024 manifesto)
It will protect our security, cement our UK leadership in NATO and create more jobs in the UK.
Conservative Party Manifesto 2024, foreign-policy commitments (Council for Arab-British Understanding summary, quoting the manifesto)
Council for Arab-British Understanding, quoting the Conservative Party 2024 general election manifestoPosition On: Sanctions on Russia, 2024 Conservative Party general election manifesto, foreign policy section, as quoted by CAABUQuote, Position On: Sanctions on Russia, 2024 Conservative Party general election manifesto, foreign policy section, as quoted by CAABU
we have introduced a new independent sanctions regime that we have used to stand up for human rights around the world in countries such as Russia, Belarus and Iran.
Winston Churchill (UK Government)
UK Government (gov.uk)Led By: Winston Churchill, Official biographyView the Source Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
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