1. Sixth Form Politics Session
Tuesday 7th July 2015, 9 – 10am
The Conservative and Unionist Party

2. Structure of presentation
My bio
Origins of the Conservative and Unionist Party
Key milestones
Key figures
Our values and principles today

3. How did I get to where I am from where you are now?
Bio: Councillor Peter Hill
Elected to Bracknell Town (Parish) and Bracknell Forest Council (Unitary Authority) in May 2015
University Lecturer (Assistant Professor) at Roehampton University Business School teaching economics, data analysis (maths and statistics), and project management
External Examiner for BPP University Business School in the City of London for MBA and various post-graduate courses
How did I get to where I am from where you are now?
A-levels in Politics, Economics, Sociology and General Studies at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School (2001 – 2003)
Joined the Conservative Party in 2001, first stood for election in 2007
BA (Hons) in Politics and Philosophy and Economics at Keele University (2003 – 2006)
Served 3 years in the Territorial Army (Army Reserve) while at University and after
MSc Public Policy and Programme Management at Bradford University (2008 – 2009)
PhD Social Policy at York/Warwick University (2009 – 2016)
Worked in Higher Education since 2009, but previously worked in financial services and as a political consultant

4. Origins of the Conservative and Unionist Party
The origins of the party can be traced back to the ‘Tory’ faction that emerged in the late 17th Century
The ‘Tory Party’ first took power in 1783 and stayed in power until 1830 (internal divisions led to the return of the Whigs (Liberal Party) who passed The Great Reform Act 1832
Conservative linked to writings of Edmund Burke who wrote in response to the French Revolution (the idea that political change should be gradual, calm, measured, non-dogmatic)
19th Century characterised by swing between Liberals and Tories (some major political battles over the Corn Laws, Irish Home Rule, and other issues linked to the British Empire)

5. Key milestones
During the First World War we joined into Coalition with the Liberals (1915 – 1922)
After 1922 Labour replaced the Liberals as the main opposition
Between 1918 and 1945 the Conservative Party had the most seats in the House of Commons for all but 2 and a half years!
World War Two we had another National Government led by Winston Churchill
Post war consensus (agreement between Labour and Conservatives on the Welfare State, public ownership of certain industries, government intervention in the economy, and partnership between trade unions and employers)
However, it didn’t work!
Rise of Margaret Thatcher, elected Prime Minister in Agenda based around freedom and free markets, “rolling back the frontiers of the state” and emphasis on individual responsibility
Conservatives lost power in 1997 but returned to power in 2010 in Coalition with the Liberal Democrats
Elected with a majority in the House of Commons in May 2015

6. Key figures Sir Robert Peel, PM 1834 to 1835 and 1841 to 1846
Sir Winston Churchill, PM 1940 – 1945 and
Baroness Margaret Thatcher, PM
Sir John Major, PM
Sir Edward Heath, PM from 1970 – 1974
David Cameron, PM Present

7. Our values and principles today
We still retain Edmund Burke’s belief in gradual, calm, measured, non-dogmatic political change
Freedom and individual responsibility
Living within our means (reducing the deficit and paying down the UK’s national debt)
Keeping taxes low (to encourage economic growth and help working people)
Creating jobs (unashamedly pro-business!)
Controlling immigration
Delivering better public services (excellent service and value-for-money)

8. Your questions? www.conservatives.com
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Your questions?