| 1874 and all that... | |
| IN THE BEGINNING, ''Tories'' were Irishmen.
The word – derived from the Gaelic
for ''pursuer'' – came to mean bandit or
outlaw during the 17th century. First used
derisively, it was later adopted with pride by
the English party of ''Church and King.'' By the end of the 18th century the Tories had became a party of government – and a ''Conservative'' party, as they began to call themselves in the 1830s. They showed a remarkable flexibility, and within a century had turned themselves into what would be the most successful political party in history, in any country. From the election of 1874, which brought Benjamin Disraeli to power, the Conservative Party was in office for 84 out of the next 123 years. The party's last and most amazing reinvention was under Margaret Thatcher, but her years of triumph (or triumphalism) left the Tories exhausted, bitter, and quarrelsome – and waiting to be replaced by a brilliant politician named Tony Blair, who took over much of their inheritance. — G.W. 1783 Tory Party first gains firm hold on government. 1830s Following the Great Reform Act of 1832, Sir Robert Peel adopts the name ''Conservative'' to rally opponents of further reform. 1874 Benjamin Disraeli becomes prime minister when Conservatives unseat W.G. Gladstone with the backing of big business, notably the drink trade. Gladstone laments: ''We have been borne down in a torrent of gin and beer.'' 1885-1902 Lord Salisbury further expands the party's power. 1940-45 Having appeased Hitler, Neville Chamberlain resigns and Winston Churchill becomes party leader and prime minister, rallying nation under coalition government. Blamed for failures of the '30s, party suffers major defeat in 1945. 1951-64 Led by Churchill, Conservatives return to power in 1951. Harold Macmillan is prime minister from 1957-1963. 1970 The unpopular Edward Heath, in surprise upset, defeats Labour's Harold Wilson. 1979-90 Margaret Thatcher leads Conservatives to three successive victories. Thatcher succeeded by John Major, a relative unknown, in 1990. 1997 Tony Blair leads New Labour to victory. 2003 Michael Howard replaces Iain Duncan Smith as Conservative leader. |
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