Evaluate the view that the Conservative Party is no longer a Thatcherite party

3 points to cover in the essay

1. economic policy

2. traditional values

3. welfare state

economic policy

weaker argument

• still pro-free market - in 2022 Sunak focused on low corporation tax and deregulation

stronger argument

• state intervention returned - 2024 Tories supported energy price caps and furlough scheme

traditional values

weaker argument

• authoritarian policies continue- Rwanda Deportation plan and protest restrictions under Sunak

stronger argument

• pragmatism now outweighs ideology- 2024 failure to pass full migration due to Lords’ opposition

welfare state

weaker argument

• universal credit and benefits cap show rollback of state

stronger argument

• significant spending on NHS, furlough scheme, and levelling up fund contradicts the ‘minimal state’

agree or disagree? why?

disagree because while some values remain, the modern party moved away