Why are UK conservatives losing members?
Asked 4 hours ago
Answer
UK Conservatives are losing members due to historic electoral defeats, declining relevance, and competition from both the right (Reform UK) and left (Labour, Liberal Democrats). Membership has plummeted from millions to about 120,000, and party leaders' attempts to revive support have not succeeded.
Now Playing
UK Conservatives struggle to retain members as Reform UK rises
- Conservative Party leaders closed their annual conference with calls to revive the party's fortunes. 5s
- Conference turnout was low, reflecting the party's diminished relevance. 32s
- The Conservatives now have 119 MPs, far behind Labour's 401, and control only 16% of local authorities. 1m 9s
- Party membership has dropped from nearly 3 million in the 1950s to 120,000. 1m 30s
- The party faces pressure from Reform UK and other parties, with polling at historic lows. 1m 38s
References
They're polling at 16 or 17%. That's the kind of territory they've never been in before. Their leader's pretty unpopular. They face problems both on their right flank from Reform UK and on their left flank from the Liberal Democrats and even the Labour Party.
Successive Conservative leaders seeking to counter the reform threat have moved the party increasingly to the right. In Manchester, Kemi Badenoch indicated something of a return to its tax-slashing, low-spending roots. But it's unclear if there's an electorate still listening.