The UK Conservative Party transitioned from a party that sought closer relations with the European continent, to a party that sought to leave the EU. This change in policy was caused by a change...Show moreThe UK Conservative Party transitioned from a party that sought closer relations with the European continent, to a party that sought to leave the EU. This change in policy was caused by a change within the dominant faction of the UK Conservative Party. The neoliberal faction of the party was replaced by the nationalist faction within the party over time. This process was sped up by the increasingly nationalist rhetoric of Thatcher, a lack of decisive neoliberal leadership following her premiership, and external electoral pressures such as the rise of UKIP. When Cameron was elected leader of the Conservative Party and sought to return to neoliberalism, the party had already reached a tipping point, and he was forced to grant concessions to rebellious backbench EMPs, further emboldening the nationalist faction. Eventually, the party resorted to holding the 'in-or-out' Brexit referendum that started the departure of the UK from the EU.Show less
