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The Conservative Effect, 2010–2024: 14 Wasted Years?
After fourteen years of Conservative government, we rightly ask what changed for the better or worse during this prolonged period of power? The country experienced significant challenges including austerity, Brexit and did they militate against the government's making more lasting impact? Bringing together some of the leading authorities in the field, this book examines the impact of Conservative rule on a wide range of economic, social, foreign and governmental areas. Anthony Seldon, Tom Egerton and their team uncover the ultimate 'Conservative effect' on the United Kingdom. With powerful insights and fresh perspectives, this is an intriguing study for anyone seeking to understand the full scope of the Conservative government's influence on our nation. Drawing the immediate lessons from the last fourteen years will be pivotal if the country is to rejuvenate and flourish in the future.
566 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2024
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About the author
Anthony Seldon
87 books77 followersSir Anthony Francis Seldon, FRSA, FRHistS, FKC, is a British educator and contemporary historian. He was the 13th Master (headmaster) of Wellington College, one of Britain's co-educational independent boarding schools. In 2009, he set up The Wellington Academy, the first state school to carry the name of its founding independent school. He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham from 2015 to 2020. Seldon was knighted in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to education and modern political history.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 26, 2024
An informative, expert-led series of essays on the core public policy themes of the Conservative governments of 2010-2024.
My core criticism is in relation to conclusions around environmental policy, which are largely supportive of Conservative policy action, but no mention is made of the water quality in rivers. Granted it is hard to summarise 14 years in one book but this felt a glaring oversight.
My core criticism is in relation to conclusions around environmental policy, which are largely supportive of Conservative policy action, but no mention is made of the water quality in rivers. Granted it is hard to summarise 14 years in one book but this felt a glaring oversight.
October 21, 2025
Some parts of this very thorough work use methods and language that general readers (like me!) might find a bit beyond their ken.
The approach is markedly objective and, apart from Brendan O'Leary's chapter on "parting the unions", where the tone is notably angry, studiedly low key.
So, the book goes through things like Brexit, the Conservatives' handling of the economy, environmental policy, and defence, among others, before arriving at an assessment I, for one, couldn't quarrel with: "Overall, it is hard to find a comparable period in history of a Conservative, or other, government which achieved so little, or which left the country at its conclusion in a more troubling state."
The approach is markedly objective and, apart from Brendan O'Leary's chapter on "parting the unions", where the tone is notably angry, studiedly low key.
So, the book goes through things like Brexit, the Conservatives' handling of the economy, environmental policy, and defence, among others, before arriving at an assessment I, for one, couldn't quarrel with: "Overall, it is hard to find a comparable period in history of a Conservative, or other, government which achieved so little, or which left the country at its conclusion in a more troubling state."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2025
A well written book. The main thing I would say is that the front cover and opening chapters made it clear what the conclusion would be. Whilst I agree mostly with the conclusion I think it's a bit too severe. The last line of the conclusion in particular is too severe and a bit unfair I think. I found it hard going to read. I was looking forward to it but found it very statistic heavy and not easy reading. Each chapter has sections which make it easier. The odd chapter is just too long. Especially once I realised what the conclusion would be it became a very hard one to get through. I will be fascinated by their take on the current Labour government. I disagreed with some things, which is natural, especially the remain stance of it seems all the authors when it comes to Brexit. The characterisation of the Northern Ireland issues is another area where I strongly disagree with the narrative put forward by the authors. You will rarely find a political book with which you agree with everything. I found 'Johnson at 10' by Anthony Seldon a much better read due to the continuity that comes from one author having written the whole book. I would find it hard to recommend this because I could tell the conclusion very close to start and wonder why I read 525 pages to find out what I already knew they'd say.
August 21, 2025
An insightful and comprehensive account of 14 years of chaos that will baffle future historians. This book makes the first and, so far, most significant dent into analysis of the Conservative period of government 2010-2024.
October 19, 2024
A good book, with variability in quality of chapters. I'm thinking in particular of those written by Brendan O'Leary and Meg Russell.
August 22, 2025
Imagine it is the year 2084. With the benefits of hindsight, how would we judge the record of the fourteen years of Conservative government?
The narrative of outgoing governments has often been negative. For example, 'thirteen wasted years' was a term coined by Harold Wilson in the run-up to the 1964 election.
Sixty years is also the period of time between 1964 and 2024 as it is between 2024 and 2084.
The 2010-2024 record, however, compares unfavourably to that of 1951-64. Economic growth was at 3 percent, there was low inflation, unemployment was under half a million, and 4 million new homes were built. In 1951, few families had a car, television, telephone, or washing machine. By 1964 all were commonplace.
Will we also judge the 2010-2024 Conservative government more favourably? I am not too sure.
In a speech outside Number 10 after losing the election, Rishi Sunak argued that the country is more prosperous, fairer, and resilient than it was in 2010.
There have been lots of external shocks: the Great Financial Crash, Brexit, Covid-19, and the cost of living crisis, however, there are three themes from the essays on these fourteen years.
1. We have done worse than other countries.
For example, the economy was vulnerable to inflationary pressures. A more secure supply and better use of excessive energy profits were needed: France limited inflation to just under 6 percent during the 2022-23 crisis.
2. Missed opportunities.
What was a crisis of capitalism, the Conservatives turned into a crisis of the public sector: funding to local authorities from central government was cut in half, and unprotected services such as libraries, planning, and subsidies for public transport faced cuts in excess of 30 percent. The 2010s were a period of low interest rates. This was an opportunity for capital investment to make the economy more productive in the long run.
3. Rapid ministerial turnover.
Twelve culture secretaries in fourteen years, seven foreign secretaries in seven years, six home secretaries in six years, three prime ministers in five years, and sixteen housing ministers in the 2010-2024 period. This was no way to ensure any level of continuity. This was no way to govern a country.
It is difficult to find any positives from these fourteen years of Conservative government.
The narrative of outgoing governments has often been negative. For example, 'thirteen wasted years' was a term coined by Harold Wilson in the run-up to the 1964 election.
Sixty years is also the period of time between 1964 and 2024 as it is between 2024 and 2084.
The 2010-2024 record, however, compares unfavourably to that of 1951-64. Economic growth was at 3 percent, there was low inflation, unemployment was under half a million, and 4 million new homes were built. In 1951, few families had a car, television, telephone, or washing machine. By 1964 all were commonplace.
Will we also judge the 2010-2024 Conservative government more favourably? I am not too sure.
In a speech outside Number 10 after losing the election, Rishi Sunak argued that the country is more prosperous, fairer, and resilient than it was in 2010.
There have been lots of external shocks: the Great Financial Crash, Brexit, Covid-19, and the cost of living crisis, however, there are three themes from the essays on these fourteen years.
1. We have done worse than other countries.
For example, the economy was vulnerable to inflationary pressures. A more secure supply and better use of excessive energy profits were needed: France limited inflation to just under 6 percent during the 2022-23 crisis.
2. Missed opportunities.
What was a crisis of capitalism, the Conservatives turned into a crisis of the public sector: funding to local authorities from central government was cut in half, and unprotected services such as libraries, planning, and subsidies for public transport faced cuts in excess of 30 percent. The 2010s were a period of low interest rates. This was an opportunity for capital investment to make the economy more productive in the long run.
3. Rapid ministerial turnover.
Twelve culture secretaries in fourteen years, seven foreign secretaries in seven years, six home secretaries in six years, three prime ministers in five years, and sixteen housing ministers in the 2010-2024 period. This was no way to ensure any level of continuity. This was no way to govern a country.
It is difficult to find any positives from these fourteen years of Conservative government.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews