What change occurred in the Conservative Party after the Labour Party, led by Tony Blair, won the 1997 election?

After the Labour Party, led by Tony Blair, won the 1997 election, the Conservative Party experienced an intensified internal conflict over Europe. This period marked a significant turning point in British politics, particularly regarding the Conservative Party's identity and direction.

The Conservative Party had already been grappling with divisions over Europe, which had been a contentious issue for some time. The election defeat galvanized various factions within the party, leading to a deepening of these divisions. Some members were in favor of a more Euro-skeptic approach, while others advocated for a more conciliatory stance towards the European Union. As a result, rather than unifying on all issues or gaining parliamentary seats, the party found itself increasingly split over how to address its relationship with Europe, reflecting broader debates about national identity and sovereignty that resonated throughout the nation.

This schism would have lasting implications for the party's strategy and electoral fortunes in the years that followed. The Conservative Party's struggle with its position on Europe continued to be a defining issue affecting its cohesion and policies in subsequent decades.