What’s a Tory? 

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What’s a Tory?

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Factual: Politics

BBC Radio 4 - What’s a Tory?

Lewis Goodall wonders what it means to be a Conservative in Britain today.

Lewis Goodall talks to Conservative insiders about the ideological tensions underlying the party's current state of turmoil.

In just three years since Boris Johnson’s landslide election victory in 2019, the Conservative party has descended into turmoil and division. After months of turbulence, the UK’s historically most successful party faces a challenging winter, with polls suggesting it’s headed for defeat at the next election. Lewis Goodall talks to insiders and party figures about the ideological tensions underlying the party’s struggles.  Why has the party burned through so many prime minsters in 12 years? Why are Conservatives so divided about the post-Brexit future? Why are there such wrangles over issues like housing and planning? 

What do Conservatives stand for and who are they for? 

Guests include former Cabinet ministers William Waldegrave, David Gauke and David Frost, historians Florence Sutcliffe-Braithwaite and Robert Saunders and activists in key battleground seats. 


Producer: Leala Padmanabhan

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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