Out of power for half a century

As the Conservatives face the prospect of a long spell in opposition, they must heed the lessons of their predecessors. In the eighteenth century, the Tories were divided, outmanoevred and …

Jeremy Black

AFTER BEING IN OFFICE FROM 1710 TO 1714, the Tories spent the next 46 years in opposition as the Whigs ruled the roost under George I and George II. During Queen Anne’s reign (1702-14), Toryism’s meaning was clear: the defence of the national interest, the Church of England and social stability. England had been at war with France from 1702 to 1713, and the Tories advocated a “blue water” policy of focusing on the navy and being cautious about excessive commitment to alliances and to European interventionism. In contrast to the Whigs, who were heavily committed to both, the Tories pushed through peace and the Treaty of Utrecht — to the annoyance of the Elector of Hanover, soon to be Britain’s George I. The Tories were pushed into opposition by George’s…

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The Critic (Digital) - 1 Issue, October 2024

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