VI- The Conservatives back in power 2010-2024

the “Lib-con” coalition dates

2010-2015

Why the “Lib-con” coalition

2010: conservative  victory but “hung-parliament”

→ Coalition with Liberal Democrats

→ the “Lib-Con” coalition

David Cameron’s brand of Conservatism

-centrist / pragmatist

-”One-Nation” conservatism

-Favourable to social reform

D.Cameron’s response to 2008 crisis

austerity measures:

-2013: “Bedroom taxes”

-Tuition fees at University: 2010, fees raised

Nick Clegg’s

Liberal Democrats:

-Centrist party

-In favour of free markets

reform of the voting system

Lib-Dems wanted to replace first-past-the-post with “alternative vote”

→ 2011: referendum → 68% No

House of Lords reform

Turn Lords into mostly elected chamber

→ conservative opposition : abandoned

Scotland reform

September 2014: Scottish independence referendum

→ 55% to stay

-More devolution

Dates of the Conservatives back in power

2015-2024

The 2015 general election

Overall majority for Conservatives

→ David Cameron

Cameron had promised an EU referendum

referendum on 23rd June 2016 → “Leave”

→ Strategy backfired. Cameron resigned

→ Replaced by Theresa May in June 2016

The 2017 general election

New opposition leader: Jeremy Corbyn

Result of the general election:

T. May lost her overall majority (Labour)

→ Hung parliament

Brexit negotiation

House of Commons rejected T. May’s deal

→ Theresa May resigned on 7th June 2019

Boris Johnson became PM 

-July 2019

The December 2019 general election

Conservative landslide; disaster for Labour

→ 7th July 2022: Boris Johnson resigned

-Series of resignations from ministers

Replaced By Liz Truss:

-44 days

2022: Rishi Sunak

→ Former Chancellor of the Exchequer

→ Lost election in 2024