Ah, the refrain is all too familiar. “Fourteen years of Tory failure!” they cry, their voices thick with indignation and selective amnesia.
But let’s pause for a moment, shall we? Let’s take a good, hard look at the facts—the tangible achievements that define more than a decade of Conservative leadership.
Because while the naysayers moan and groan, the truth is simple: the Conservatives left a legacy of triumphs that Labour can only dream of replicating.
Top Economy in the G7
Let’s start with the big one—the economy. As the keys to Number 10 changed hands, the Conservatives handed over the fastest-growing economy in the G7. Yes, you heard that right.
Now also cast your mind back to the storm of Covid-19. Amid global chaos, the UK weathered the pandemic better than most countries. Thousands of businesses were saved, millions of jobs protected, and let’s not forget the world-beating vaccine rollout—delivered at lightning speed. Whatever your views on certain vaccines, it was a triumph of leadership, innovation, and agility, made possible by the freedom afforded by Brexit.
Brexit: Sovereignty Restored
Brexit. The Conservative masterstroke that returned sovereignty to British shores. And they didn’t just stop at winning back control; they went on to secure over 70 trade deals including landmark deals with countries like Japan, Australia, the CPTPP, and numerous US states agreements. In fact the Conservatives removed trade barriers worth over an estimated £15 billion over five years.
Don’t take my word for it—look at the numbers. The Conservatives also enabled the UK to become the world’s fourth-largest exporter, overtaking France, the Netherlands, and Japan. That’s not failure; that was economic strategy in action.
Tech Titans: UK’s Billion-Dollar Boom
Under Conservative stewardship, the UK also became one of only three countries globally with a tech sector valued at over $1 trillion, joining the US and China. London alone attracted $20 billion in venture capital investment in 2022 for example.
In fact, under Conservative stewardship, Britain produced more tech unicorns than France and Germany combined. Our fintech sector became the second-largest in the world, outpacing Europe by miles. Meanwhile, the UK’s life sciences sector—the largest in Europe—was turned into global powerhouse, with world-class research institutions and cutting-edge genomic sequencing capabilities.
Global Leadership in Services
Let’s not forget our dominance in services exports. Under the Conservatives, the UK became the world’s largest exporter of financial services, insurance, pensions, and telecommunications services. Overall, services made up a record 55% of UK exports by 2024—a staggering achievement.
Reshoring and Revitalising Industry
Post-Brexit, confidence in British manufacturing surged. Companies like Mini-Moke brought production back to British soil, and giants like Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover expanded their UK operations. This reshoring wave under the Conservatives, signalled a revival of Britain’s industrial heart, bolstered by policies that made the UK a competitive place to do business. Boris Johnson led this charge to perfection.
A Global Force in Defence
Another Boris triumph was the AUKUS military pact and his unwavering support for Ukraine. Under the Conservatives, Britain remained at the forefront of global defence. Despite relentless criticism, Britain has stood firm as a world-leading exporter and a defender of democratic values.
Sporting and Cultural Triumphs
Remember the 2012 London Olympics? Delivered under a Conservative government, it was a masterclass in national pride and global excellence. From Olympic to Paralympic medals, Britain soared. This year, we even topped the Paralympic medal table, proving once again that we are a nation of champions.
Championing Regional Growth
The Conservative governments empowered local leadership through devolution and major infrastructure projects like the Elizabeth Line and the Northern Powerhouse. Cities like Manchester and Birmingham became hubs of innovation and growth, proving that prosperity and innovation wasn’t confined to London thanks to the Conservative’s policies and encouraging investment across the regions.
An NHS Worth Fighting For
Yes, the NHS faces challenges, but let’s not forget why: the disastrous PFI deals saddled upon it by Labour under Blair and Brown, leaving trusts with crippling 40-year debts. Despite this, the Conservatives have kept the NHS afloat, providing care that’s still the envy of many around the globe. I lived in California for 14 years, and let me tell you—if you think our NHS is bad, try paying through the nose for private insurance only to get hit with endless bills for basic procedures across the pond.
World-Class Education
Education is another unsung Conservative success. The UK boasts four of the world’s top ten universities, producing the brightest minds to fuel our booming tech and research sectors. Under the Conservatives, literacy and education standards also became among the highest globally—a testament to Conservative commitment.
Together with Norway, Finland, Germany, Japan and South Korea, the UK now boasts the highest literacy rate among adults aged 15 and above in the world, with the World Bank reporting a rate of over 99% in recent years.
Backing British Innovation
You won’t have read about it in the Guardian or have seen it on the BBC but the Conservatives were also consistently championing world-leading British innovation while in power, backing projects that will define the future of global energy and space exploration for years to come.
Take Rolls-Royce, for instance, whose groundbreaking small modular nuclear reactors could revolutionise the way we generate clean energy.
Add to that the Conservatives’ support for the UK Space Agency, driving advancements in cutting-edge space instruments and establishing Britain as a partner to NASA on numerous missions.
The UK’s also contributed significantly to the James Webb Space Telescope with the all important Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), successfully opening its eye to the sky.
The UK’s fusion energy sector is also surging ahead thanks to Conservative help and leadership. A pioneering UK firm, Tokamak Energy secured £100 million in funding, bringing limitless, clean fusion energy a step closer to reality. These British investments not only tackle today’s challenges but lay the foundation for a cleaner, greener, and more innovative tomorrow.
How Conservative Leadership Propelled British Science to Global Heights
Under the Conservative Government, British scientists also made remarkable contributions across a diverse range of fields, solidifying the UK’s position as a global leader in innovation and scientific excellence. From pioneering advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Protein Folding, with Sir Demis Hassabis and John Jumper of DeepMind earning a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their revolutionary work on AlphaFold, to Quantum Computing Advancements that pushed the boundaries of computational capabilities, the UK became a hub for cutting-edge research.
Breakthroughs in Controlled Nuclear Fusion brought the world closer to limitless clean energy, while advancements in a British made Malaria Vaccination marked a historic milestone in global healthcare.
Additionally, British innovation in World Financial Market Security and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ensured the nation’s leadership in critical technological domains. These achievements underscored the Conservative Government’s steadfast commitment to fostering a thriving scientific ecosystem and addressing global challenges through bold innovation, positioning Britain as a true pioneer on the world stage.
And Now, Labour…
Fast forward to today, and what do we see? A Labour government more interested in virtue-signalling than governing. For four years, I chronicled the extraordinary achievements of the Conservatives for the Conservative Post. Every Sunday, I struggled to fit all the positive news into my weekly round-up.
Now, under Labour, I find myself searching in vain for even a glimmer of good news. What’s left is the sour aftertaste of missed opportunities and shallow soundbites.
A Legacy to Remember
So, the next time someone trots out the tired line about “14 years of Tory failure,” remind them of the facts. Remind them of the booming tech sector, the trade deals, the vaccine rollout, the Olympic triumphs, the global influence. Remind them that Britain, under Conservative leadership, became a hotbed of innovation, a champion of free trade, and a beacon of resilience.
Yes, there are things we wish had been done differently. But let’s not rewrite history to fit a convenient narrative. The Conservatives left a legacy of extraordinary achievements—a legacy Labour will struggle to match.
Thank you, Conservatives. Britain is stronger because of you and we will pick up the pieces again.
Claire Bullivant
Please join the Great British PAC for free.
Main photo: Picture by Pippa Fowles / No 10 Downing Street
The history books will remember the tories delivered brexit and Labour tried to stop brexit
That they did