What Lies Ahead for Britain’s Conservatives according to Preston Manning?
Commentary
After a significant defeat in the recent UK general election, where the Conservatives were ousted after governing for 14 years, many voters abandoned them. They were either unwilling to vote or opted for Reform UK. Now, a Labour government has taken over, but expectations from the electorate are low.
Conventional advice suggests that the Conservatives should move towards the center-left and distance themselves from any perceived right-wing extremism. However, there are other perspectives worth considering.
Looking at Canadian conservatism’s experience, a Conservative government suffered a crushing defeat in 1993 after ignoring grassroots movements in Western Canada and Quebec. It was only after accommodating these forces that the Conservative Party of Canada regained power under new leadership.
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The UK’s Conservative Party, with a long history of 190 years, can draw valuable lessons from its past. Reflecting on how the party responded to grassroots movements in the 19th century may offer insights for today’s challenges.
In 1831, the House of Commons passed a Reform Bill to expand the franchise, but the Tory opposition in the House of Lords vehemently opposed it. This action led to riots and a defeat in the following election for the conservatives, setting the stage for reforms.
