Cameron, Not Farage, Destroyed the Tories The downfall of the Conservative Party in the 2019 general election has been widely attributed to the rise of the Brexit Party led by Nigel Farage. However, a closer examination reveals that the seeds of the Tories’ demise were sown much earlier, during David Cameron’s tenure as Prime Minister. The Brexit Referendum: Cameron’s decision to hold a referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union was a gamble that backfired spectacularly. While he may have hoped to silence the growing Eurosceptic movement within his own party, the referendum instead exposed the deep divisions within the Conservatives. The result of the referendum, with a narrow majority voting to leave the EU, plunged the party into chaos. Cameron resigned, and his successor, Theresa May, struggled to find a consensus on Brexit that would satisfy both pro-Remain and pro-Leave MPs. The Rise of Boris Johnson: Into this vacuum stepped Boris Johnson, a charismatic and ambitious former Mayor of London. Johnson’s populist rhetoric and his promise to “get Brexit done” resonated with disillusioned Conservative voters who felt the party had lost its way. Johnson’s election as leader in 2019 further divided the Conservatives. Many Remainer MPs defected to other parties, while the party became increasingly associated with the hardline Eurosceptic wing. The 2019 General Election: The 2019 general election was a disaster for the Conservatives. Johnson’s attempts to win back voters by promising to “level up” the economy and to tackle immigration failed to gain traction. The party lost a significant number of seats, including those of several prominent former ministers. The Tories’ defeat in the 2019 election cannot be blamed solely on Nigel Farage and the Brexit Party. Cameron’s decision to hold the Brexit referendum and the subsequent divisions it created within the party laid the groundwork for the Conservatives’ downfall. Johnson’s leadership only exacerbated those divisions and ultimately led to the party’s electoral defeat.The Conservative Party’s Identity CrisisThe Conservative Party’s Identity Crisis Introduction Former Prime Minister David Cameron has sparked a debate about the future of the Conservative Party, arguing that Nigel Farage seeks to destroy it. This article examines the conflicting views on the party’s ideology and the threats it faces. The Right-Wing Myth Cameron claims the Conservatives are not right-wing, despite their 2019 election victory based on promises of a hard Brexit, reduced immigration, and lower taxes. However, the party’s current decline is attributed to increased taxes, high migration, and an ineffective Brexit. Losing to Labour, Not Reform ReformUK, Farage’s party, has not achieved the same level of popularity as UKIP under Cameron, who won 25% of the vote in 2013. Moreover, the Conservatives are losing to Labour, which advocates for low taxes and immigration. The Far-Right Fallacy Critics like George Osborne argue that the party must distance itself from the far right to win elections. However, the so-called far-right figures are largely sidelined, and the Conservative Party’s factionalism has historically been managed by its leaders. Cameron’s Role Some argue that Cameron’s capitulation to the right wing alienated traditional supporters. However, the party’s current problems are not primarily due to Farage, but to the economic damage caused by the pandemic and the party’s loss of touch with its electorate. Putting Things in Perspective Peter Hitchens defines conservatism as love for God, country, family, and tradition. By this definition, the Conservative Party’s manifesto lacks a coherent philosophy and instead offers a list of unaffordable policies. The party’s anger and frustration reflect a sense of entitlement and a reluctance to accept that they are no longer in power. Conclusion The Conservative Party is facing an identity crisis. It must confront its true ideology and determine how to appeal to the electorate without alienating its core supporters. The party’s survival depends on rediscovering its principles and adapting to the changing political landscape.A political storm has erupted in the United Kingdom after the Conservative Party suffered a crushing defeat in the recent general election. Many are blaming the party’s former leader, David Cameron, for the disastrous outcome, arguing that his decision to hold a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union ultimately led to the party’s downfall. Cameron’s decision to hold the referendum was widely seen as a gamble that backfired spectacularly. The vote to leave the EU has plunged the UK into a state of uncertainty and turmoil, and the Conservative Party has been left deeply divided. Many senior Conservatives believe that Cameron’s decision to hold the referendum was a betrayal of the party’s values, and they have called for him to resign. Some commentators have argued that the rise of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) under Nigel Farage was a major factor in the Conservative Party’s defeat. However, there is little evidence to support this claim. In fact, UKIP’s vote share actually fell in the recent election, and the party failed to win any seats in Parliament. The truth is that the Conservative Party’s defeat was primarily due to Cameron’s own mistakes. His decision to hold a referendum on the EU was a reckless gamble that backfired spectacularly. His failure to unite his party behind a clear vision for Brexit has left the Conservatives deeply divided and rudderless. The Conservative Party is now facing an existential crisis. The party’s traditional voters are increasingly alienated, and the party is struggling to find a clear direction. If the Conservatives want to regain the trust of the British people, they need to learn from their mistakes and find a new leader who can unite the party and provide a clear vision for the future.