Conservatives

1846-1873 Problems

Finding a suitable leader:

Absorbed in the problem of rgaining the political power that they ahd lost years before over the repeal of the Corn Laws
Conservatives held two short period in office as minority governments
Always difficult to pass any legislation
Lord Derby was Conservative Leader, but he sat in the House of Lords
Power of the Lords over the Commons had weakened after the formation of new constituencies in industrial towns
Made it difficult for the Lords to influence procedings in the Commons
They could still use veto to block any measures they disliked in the Lords
Few Coservative politicians of real quality to lead to party into the Commons
Apart from Disraeli
However, great deal of prejudice against his background - he was distrusted by many in the party
His leadership was an unavoidable necessity and he apeared to be the person with clear ideas about developing party
Realised that to win support - vital to present electorate with new policies
Important to get the message across through public meetings
Disraeli persuaded the Conservatives into the idea of parliamentary reform
Developed ideas on the nee for social reform with committing to a proposal
He set about managing the reorganisation of the party machinery fter the 1868 defeat
Helped to win the 1874 election

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Political parties must improve their organisation in order to reach the new, expanding, better-educated electorate
Appointed John Gorst to overhaul party organisation
Set up a Conservative Central Office in London
1870 = The National Union of Conservative Associations moved its HQ to Central Office
Gorst was able to direct its work in the constituencies to improve its electoral organisation
The National Union grew importance and became the body to which the constituency groups became affiliated
Disraeli used it as his 'sounding board' to outline his policies
Propaganda tool promoting Conservatism in the boroughs
Gorst targeted middle as well as workig class voters
Overall rise in the boroughs vote was a significant factor in the Conservative Victory of 1874

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Took advantage of Gladstone's increasing discomfort and unpopularity with several sections
Began to plant the seeds of the idea of "Tory Democracy"
A brand of new Conservatism
Revive the fourtunes of the Conservative Party
Two important political speeches:
- The National Union of Conservative Associations at the Manchester Free Trade Hall
- Crystal Palace in London
Appealed to the working class vote
Used the notion of empire as a unifying force
Ideal of empire was of paramount importance to Disraeli
He saw it as a strong political and economic union
Monarch at its head
Interested in the new trends towards democracy and working-class voters
Strongly believed in maintaining tradition and privilege
Knew that the party was not ready to abandon the old arisocratic heirachy
If the working class placed their trust in the Conservatives, they could share some of the benefits enjoyed by the more prosperous groups in society
Disraeli's government was responsible for a number of important social reforms

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Conservatives had been reduced to 157 MPs
109 were in full support of tariff reform and only 16 in favour of free trade
The rest supported trade protection
Protectionists defined the Conservative Party
Balfour was soon returned to parliament in a by-election
Resumed leadership of the party
Lord Lansdowne became leader in the House of Lords
Vast majority of the members of Lords were traitionalists
Most actively supported the Conservatives
Balfour took advantage of this and encouraged the Lords to vote against Liberal legislation
Unjustifiable and clearly undemocratic
Preliminary round in the greatest constitutional crisis since 1832
Lords rejected the 1909 budget
Ensuing crsis led the Liberals to call an election, which they won
Balfour resigned
Successor = Bonar Law
Emphasis changd to Home Rule towards Home Rule
Outbreak of War = put on hold

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