This Conservative Party Has Collapsed – Who’s to Blame?

It takes considerable effort to dismantle a political party that’s been dominant for nearly two centuries, but the current iteration of the Conservative Party appears to have reached its end. To borrow from the classic Monty Python sketch — it has ceased to be. It is, quite simply, an ex-party.

In last week’s local elections, the Conservatives lost all 16 councils they were defending and secured just one out of six mayoral races. According to the BBC’s projected national vote share, the party polled a mere 15% — marking yet another historic low. For a party long dubbed the "natural party of government," this is a humiliating collapse.

The Tories now only hold a majority among voters aged over 70 — hardly a foundation for long-term political success.

None of this is surprising. Many have warned, repeatedly, that mimicking Reform UK's hardline rhetoric would backfire. In July 2024, it was clear the party faced an existential crossroad. Instead of changing course, it doubled down — with predictably disastrous results.

This time, there’s no pendulum swing to wait for. Voter loyalty has eroded. In today’s political climate, voters behave like consumers — if a party underdelivers, they simply choose another next time. The current Conservative party, obsessed with culture wars and ideology, has failed to adapt to this new reality.

Voters see a party lacking clear purpose, facing off against a Labour government that itself seemed unprepared for the realities of governing post-landslide. While Labour offered "change," the failure to deliver bold reform quickly has led voters to look elsewhere — often to Reform UK.

It’s a mistake to simply dismiss those who now back Reform. Their frustration reflects widespread disillusionment. Many feel betrayed by both main parties — worn out by grand promises that never materialise.

Is this the collapse of Britain’s two-party system? If not, it’s certainly a crisis for the Conservatives. Without a compelling mission, they are increasingly irrelevant in most regions — overtaken in the south and southwest by Labour, the Lib Dems, or even Reform; in the north by Labour and Reform; and in other areas by local independents.

While Labour can use its governing position to attempt to restore trust, the Conservatives face a more existential threat. Their current form is politically obsolete. The disastrous local election results confirm that their ideological detour over the last decade has led them to a dead end.

By trying to become a softer version of Reform UK, the Conservatives have alienated both centre-ground voters and their traditional base — leaving them without a clear path forward. Winning just one age group isn’t a strategy; it’s a sign of a party in terminal decline.