2.The Conservative Party

The Old and New Logo of British Conservative Party

The Conservative Party is a right-wing party that associates itself with traditional authority or opinion.It now supports free enterprise³ and is generally opposed to nationalization and to extending the social services.It finds its support mainly in the middle or upper classes or Establishment circles，traditionally in rural areas.The Establishment refers to the top influential sectors of British society，in particular，industrialists and business leaders，the aristocracy and the Church of England.Generally speaking the more one has in society the more likely one is to be a Conservative.So the Conservatives are those who have something to conserve，and that is why they usually hate the great changes in society.But when they see that the changes are inevitable，they certainly show a willingness to accept the changes.

The leader of the Conservative Party was formerly allowed to“emerge”from a process of behind-the-scenes consultations.However，since 1965the leader has been elected by the parliamentary party.Party organization is in the hands of a chairman，who is appointed by the leader，and presides over the Conservative Central Office，which coordinates the activities of constituency associations throughout the country.

Each year the Conservative Party holds a conference attended by representatives of local associations，and the effect of the conference votes is not clearly defined.In practice the Conservative conference is not a device for making the party’s policy，but rather an occasion when the faithful meet together，see and hear the party leaders，and express their opinions for the leaders’guidance.