Is (or was) the UK a Conservative-leaning country?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

This question has been on my mind recently. Since the Labour became one of two major forces in the British politics in 1922, they governed for well over a overall less than Conservatives. While the number of elections won by each party since 1929 is strikingly even (10 v. 11), it wasn't until 1945 that Labour was able to win a majority on their own, nor it wasn't 2007, when Labour was able to win a third consecutive general election. Furthermore, there were only 6 Labour Prime Ministers overall (MacDonald, Attlee, Wilson, Callaghan, Blair and Brown; two of them unelected), as compared to 11 Tories (Law, Baldwin, Chamberlain, Churchill, Eden, Macmillan, Douglas Home, Heath, Thatcher, Major and Cameron; out of whom only Home never lead the party to electoral victory) during that period.

We can clearly see Tories are (or were) favored for longer spells of continuous government, as well for achieving a substantial electoral victory, while Labour suffered two near-collapses (1931, 1983) and had more narrow victories. On the other hand, of course, the last time Conservatives have had won a majority was 1992.

Does the United Kingdom (as a whole) has a Conservative lean, or it's more of coincidence, given that Labour (much as the French Socialists) has (or had) a tendency of frequently shooting itself in the feet? (eg. MacDonald leaving for the "National Government" in 1931, frequent internal infighting under Wilson and Callaghan, SPD breakaway and internal civil war in the 1980s).

[Lincoln Republican]

As a comparison with the U.S., one should take into consideration the fact that in 1980 and 1984, Ronald Reagan received the support of large segments of working class, blue collar voters, who one would normally expect to vote Democrat.  As we know, these voters came to be known as "Reagan Democrats".

Many of these voters were, of course, more socially conservative than the Democrats, and were likely offended by some of the leftist social platform of the Democrats.

Some of these same factors could be in play in the U.K. as well.

I believe right leaning or left leaning labels are not entirely accurate, as the electorate in a nation ebbs and flows over a period of time, and quite naturally changes governments at various times.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Ironic that Tony Blair's Labor Party started the liberal revolution in Europe before the economic meltdown of 2008 in the U.S. True they have an independent conservative party called the Whigs, that was our moderate G O P party of the 1800's that Lincoln so established. And Tony Blair was one of the first Labor Leaders that took on the Clinton policies and brought conservatism to its knees.


The US is more Christian conservative than Europe but is following the lines of Europe, should Hilary be elected as Labor being a dominant force in politics, not the reverse.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The Conservatives had a clear structural advantage (for want of a better way of putting it) during the interwar years, but not before and not after. The long period of Conservative rule between 1951 and 1964 can largely be explained by the long postwar economic boom and both the 1955 and 1959 elections were highly competitive even if ultimately very decisive. The long period of Conservative rule between 1979 and 1997 can largely be explained by Labour's well known internal 'difficulties' (and their consequences) during the first half of said period. Note that Labour were in government almost constantly from 1964 until 1979 (the Heath government lasted for just three and a half years) and, obviously, constantly from 1997 until 2010.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

@Lincoln / eh, I'd say "Reagan Democrats" are hard to find direct comparison to. Maybe the working-class New Town residents that drifted away from urban centres and became commuters. The UK is far, far more regimented by class than the US, so I'd be careful drawing too much comparison.

Anyway beyond Thatcher and everything, the UK has always been fairly small-c conservative compared to the continent. Most European countries took efforts to purge themselves of anachronisms or else they lost them over years of turmoil. We, on the other hand have hung on to tradition, and democracy basically inched itself into existence.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Note that Labour were in government almost constantly from 1964 until 1979 (the Heath government lasted for just three and a half years) and, obviously, constantly from 1997 until 2010.

Very true. Yet before 1997 Labour constantly struggled to have a workable majority. Outside of 1945 and 1966, they had either a very narrow one (1950, 1964, October 1974, which then dissapeared due to by-elections defeats) or no majority (MacDonald's two governments, February 1974).

[politicus]

A recent study showed that the basic breakdown in post-war Western Europe has been 55% centre-right vs. 40% centre-left, so in that sense most Western European countries are "Conservative leaning". Britain is no exception. Left leaning countries, like Sweden, are the exception.

(I can not remember the title)

[Lurker]

A recent study showed that the basic breakdown in post-war Western Europe has been 55% centre-right vs. 40% centre-left, so in that sense most Western European countries are "Conservative leaning". Britain is no exception. Left leaning countries, like Sweden, are the exception.

(I can not remember the title)

Does that mean governing 55% of the time, or having the support of 55% of the population?

[politicus]

A recent study showed that the basic breakdown in post-war Western Europe has been 55% centre-right vs. 40% centre-left, so in that sense most Western European countries are "Conservative leaning". Britain is no exception. Left leaning countries, like Sweden, are the exception.

(I can not remember the title)

Does that mean governing 55% of the time, or having the support of 55% of the population?

Having 55% support,

[You kip if you want to...]

The last time the Tories won an election was before I was even born.

[andrew_c]

Up until the Thatcher years, the Conservatives had an easier path to a majority, but not because Britain was a right-leaning country.  Southern England was the Tory base, while the Labour base was located mainly in Wales and Northern England.  Scotland was a swing region, but nevertheless delivered a good chunk of seats for the Tories.  Gerrymandering also played a factor in giving Labour a hard time mustering a majority.

Post-Thatcher, Scottish Tories were essentially obliterated by Labour.  With the Tory base reduced to only Southern England, Labour had gained the upper hand.  Today, Labour has an easier path to a majority, not because Britain has become a left-leaning country.  Rather, regional strength and Labour gerrymandering prevents a Conservative majority unless there is a massive swing.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Up until the Thatcher years, the Conservatives had an easier path to a majority, but not because Britain was a right-leaning country.  Southern England was the Tory base, while the Labour base was located mainly in Wales and Northern England.  Scotland was a swing region, but nevertheless delivered a good chunk of seats for the Tories.  Gerrymandering also played a factor in giving Labour a hard time mustering a majority.

Well, in British system it's possible to win a majority of seats while losing the popular vote. In 1951, Labour got most votes, but still lost to Conservatives by 26 seats. (It's kind of amusing Churchill has served as Prime Minister for over 8 years without ever winning the popular vote.)

As I mentioned earlier, before 1997 Labour has managed to win a substantial majority only twice (1945 and 1966), so what you've just said makes perfect sense.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

The last time the Tories won an election was before I was even born.

You're 4 years old?

[Lurker]

The last time the Tories won an election was before I was even born.

You're 4 years old?

Hehe. He's obviously referring to 1992, when they last won a majority. Though for all intents and purposes I guess 2010 should count as a Tory victory (considering the subservient position of the Lib-Dems in government).

[OSR stands with Israel]

Up until the Thatcher years, the Conservatives had an easier path to a majority, but not because Britain was a right-leaning country.  Southern England was the Tory base, while the Labour base was located mainly in Wales and Northern England.  Scotland was a swing region, but nevertheless delivered a good chunk of seats for the Tories.  Gerrymandering also played a factor in giving Labour a hard time mustering a majority.

Post-Thatcher, Scottish Tories were essentially obliterated by Labour.  With the Tory base reduced to only Southern England, Labour had gained the upper hand.  Today, Labour has an easier path to a majority, not because Britain has become a left-leaning country.  Rather, regional strength and Labour gerrymandering prevents a Conservative majority unless there is a massive swing.

Amazing how much the triple Whammy of :

1. The Scottish Referendum leading to the Rise of SNP

2. Brexit leading to collapse of the Red Wall

3. Corbyn alienating moderates


pretty much made it very hard for Labour now to win a majority

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Up until the Thatcher years, the Conservatives had an easier path to a majority, but not because Britain was a right-leaning country.  Southern England was the Tory base, while the Labour base was located mainly in Wales and Northern England.  Scotland was a swing region, but nevertheless delivered a good chunk of seats for the Tories.  Gerrymandering also played a factor in giving Labour a hard time mustering a majority.

Post-Thatcher, Scottish Tories were essentially obliterated by Labour.  With the Tory base reduced to only Southern England, Labour had gained the upper hand.  Today, Labour has an easier path to a majority, not because Britain has become a left-leaning country.  Rather, regional strength and Labour gerrymandering prevents a Conservative majority unless there is a massive swing.

Amazing how much the triple Whammy of :

1. The Scottish Referendum leading to the Rise of SNP

2. Brexit leading to collapse of the Red Wall

3. Corbyn alienating moderates


pretty much made it impossible for Labour now to win a majority

"impossible" is a very strong word, no?

[OSR stands with Israel]

Up until the Thatcher years, the Conservatives had an easier path to a majority, but not because Britain was a right-leaning country.  Southern England was the Tory base, while the Labour base was located mainly in Wales and Northern England.  Scotland was a swing region, but nevertheless delivered a good chunk of seats for the Tories.  Gerrymandering also played a factor in giving Labour a hard time mustering a majority.

Post-Thatcher, Scottish Tories were essentially obliterated by Labour.  With the Tory base reduced to only Southern England, Labour had gained the upper hand.  Today, Labour has an easier path to a majority, not because Britain has become a left-leaning country.  Rather, regional strength and Labour gerrymandering prevents a Conservative majority unless there is a massive swing.

Amazing how much the triple Whammy of :

1. The Scottish Referendum leading to the Rise of SNP

2. Brexit leading to collapse of the Red Wall

3. Corbyn alienating moderates


pretty much made it impossible for Labour now to win a majority

"impossible" is a very strong word, no?

true let me edit it to "very hard"

[Del Tachi]

monarchy is an inherently conservative form of government

[Skill and Chance]

On policy, it's clearly not.  It's more that the UK left got their Bernie Sanders elected back in 1945.  The leftist policies enacted in that period (NHS, etc.) largely stuck around, but there wasn't much for the left to do after that.  It's largely been about maintaining the post-WWII left-leaning status quo (at least compared to other English-speaking countries) since then.

[beesley]

Up until the Thatcher years, the Conservatives had an easier path to a majority, but not because Britain was a right-leaning country.  Southern England was the Tory base, while the Labour base was located mainly in Wales and Northern England.  Scotland was a swing region, but nevertheless delivered a good chunk of seats for the Tories.  Gerrymandering also played a factor in giving Labour a hard time mustering a majority.

Post-Thatcher, Scottish Tories were essentially obliterated by Labour.  With the Tory base reduced to only Southern England, Labour had gained the upper hand.  Today, Labour has an easier path to a majority, not because Britain has become a left-leaning country.  Rather, regional strength and Labour gerrymandering prevents a Conservative majority unless there is a massive swing.

Amazing how much the triple Whammy of :

1. The Scottish Referendum leading to the Rise of SNP

2. Brexit leading to collapse of the Red Wall

3. Corbyn alienating moderates


pretty much made it impossible for Labour now to win a majority

"impossible" is a very strong word, no?

true let me edit it to "very hard"

Well, would you look at the polls.

The rise of the SNP is a genuine hindrance (which I still believe can be tackled), but the latter two are proving to be shorter lived.

In general I disagree that the 'coalition-building' nature of electoral politics in the Brexit era has continued, so the path to a Labour majority simply requires a) Tory downturn and b) a Labour party that can flip and turnout voters across the country - we have some regional polarisation, but this isn't US or Canadian regional polarisation. Scotland is the only truly structural barrier, and your other two are obviously due to be consigned to the past if they have not been already.

What I will say in response to the original question is that what might be considered 'policies' in the US are 'consensuses' or 'institutions' here. But that isn't inherently left-wing or right-wing, even if the (few) cases often are.