^aSchool of Politics and Communication Studies, Roxby Building, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZT, UK

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine Conservative Party attitudes to inequality and poverty since the 1970s. Several arguments are made. The first is that all sections of the Conservative Party have sought to justify inequality and to reject social democratic arguments for greater equality. However, there was considerable debate in the 1970s and 1980s over the issue of poverty between One Nation and New Right Conservatives. Furthermore, this debate sheds much light on the nature of contemporary Conservatism under David Cameron. It is argued that there has been a return to some of the key themes of the One Nation approach under Cameron, albeit one that is moderated by continuing elements of Thatcherism.