ETVT Conservatives are divided internally

Question 1

sections

Answer 1

welfare
law and order
economy

Question 2

introduction

Answer 2

Thesis: The Conservative Party is more divided than united, especially between its One Nation and New Right factions.
Recent leadership changes (Johnson, Truss, Sunak) have deepened policy splits.
Focus: economy, welfare, and law & order.

Question 3

1. for economy is key fault line

Answer 3

Point: Economic policy reveals major rifts between One Nation pragmatists and New Right ideologues.

Evidence:

Truss’s 2022 mini-budget with unfunded tax cuts was backed by New Right MPs, but rejected by One Nation MPs.
2021 national insurance rise to fund NHS post-COVID (One Nation-style), later scrapped by Sunak (New Right).
Energy policy divides: One Nation favoured windfall tax on energy firms; New Right opposed state intervention.
Explain: These clashes show the party lacks consensus on public spending, taxation, and the role of the state — foundational issues for party identity.

Mini Evaluation: The economy is where divisions are deepest, reflecting fundamentally opposed ideologies rather than tactical differences.

Question 4

1. against economy

Answer 4

Point: Despite internal disputes, Conservatives broadly agree on free market principles and reducing state dependency.

Evidence:

2019 manifesto: no rise in VAT/income tax, commitment to aspiration and enterprise.
Cutting stamp duty and lifting the cap on bankers’ bonuses (2022) show unity around wealth creation and low taxes.
Resistance to extending the windfall tax highlights market-friendly consensus.
Explain: Core Thatcherite principles — low taxation, wealth retention, and limited state intervention — still unite most of the party.

Mini Evaluation: While delivery may differ, there’s underlying ideological coherence that tempers the scale of division.

Question 5

2. for welfare policies

Answer 5

Point: Welfare is another area where New Right and One Nation beliefs clash sharply.

Evidence:

New Right cuts: £20 universal credit cut (2021), resistance to inflation-linked benefits.
One Nation response: May’s “just about managing” agenda and Johnson’s debt write-offs for NHS.
Sunak promised to reduce NHS wait times (One Nation goal) but prioritised tax cuts and Rwanda migration plan instead.
Explain: One Nation Tories value ‘noblesse oblige’ and moral responsibility; New Right sees welfare as breeding dependency.

Mini Evaluation: The changing leadership has created inconsistencies and confusion over welfare priorities, undermining unity.

Question 6

2. against welfare

Answer 6

Point: Broad agreement exists that welfare should be restrained and promote work.

Evidence:

Bedroom tax, universal credit reforms, and rhetoric around “getting back to work” all continue under different leaders.
Even under Johnson’s more interventionist tone, welfare expansion was temporary (e.g. COVID relief).
Explain: While the tone and moral framing differ, the party largely supports market-based solutions and personal responsibility.

Mini Evaluation: Despite moral divides, practical consensus remains that welfare should not expand long-term.

Question 7

3. for law and order

Answer 7

Point: Conservatives are divided between authoritarianism and rehabilitative justice approaches.

Evidence:

New Right: Braverman’s Illegal Migration Bill, Rwanda deportation, anti-social behaviour crackdown.
One Nation: Rory Stewart supported rehabilitation; Ken Clarke (2010s) said prison “doesn’t work”.
ECHR debate: Far-right Tories want to leave it; moderates warn it violates international obligations.
Explain: These differences reflect deeper philosophical disagreements about human nature and the role of the state.

Mini Evaluation: The party’s image as “tough on crime” hides meaningful divergence over methods and ethics of law enforcement

Question 8

3. against law and order

Answer 8

Point: The Conservatives unite under a consistent “law and order” message, appealing to voters across the factions.

Evidence:

Broad support for tough policing during COVID and anti-immigration policies like the Rwanda plan.
Few MPs publicly opposed the Illegal Migration Bill in principle.
Explain: Despite differing rationales, party messaging is disciplined and coherent, especially in elections.

Mini Evaluation: In law and order, divisions are more philosophical than operational — the party functions as united externally.

Question 9

conclusion

Answer 9

Judgement: The Conservative Party is more divided than united, especially over the economy and welfare.
Frequent leadership turnover has worsened factionalism and diluted ideological clarity.
Sunak lacks a strong unifying vision, and with election pressure mounting in 2025, divisions are likely to deepen.