Politics

Britain’s Tory party is heading for extinction

From many within the moderate tradition of the Tories, Johnson has already redefined the Conservatives as being in the same political camp as the Brexit Party.

Nothing is forever in politics. Over the past two centuries the Tories were the dominant party, the quintessence of the British establishment. However, during the 19th century, the Liberal Party was also a bastion of parliamentary power. Today that party is a rump from previous splits.

Likewise, one can foresee the Conservatives – as we know them – heading for extinction, perhaps fracturing into “One Nation” and a more rightwing nationalistic party led by the likes of Johnson. The outcome would be rather fitting. The chaotic fallout from Europe has been the result of a long-running Conservative Party internecine war. Not only is the culminating Brexit tearing the United Kingdom apart, it is also leading to the self-destruction of the Tory party.