Conservatives, Imperialism And The Orange Order
In his book, The Old Divide: The History of Sectarianism in Scotland, Chris Bambery explores the roots of historical bigotry in imperialism and class rule.
The late nineteenth century saw two fundamental shifts in British society, both of which impacted on the influence of Orangeism in Scotland.
- The Conservative Party, under Benjamin Disraeli, rebranded itself as a national party, revering ancient traditions and institutions, such as the monarchy.
- The party became strongly associated with Empire and imperialism, honouring the nation's heritage and distinctive character.
The Conservatives being the party of Empire and imperialism was a crucial part of this shift.
Author's summary: Exploring historical bigotry roots.