The Nature of Conservative Party Modernisation Under David Cameron: The Trajectory of Employment Relations Policy 1

The modernisation of Conservative Party employment relations policy under David Cameron's leadership has been a contested process, but is divisible into three broad phases. A modernising trend, 2005-2008, was eclipsed by the resurgence of a more established approach, 2008-2010, highlighting the desirability of deregulation, opposition to European Union social and employment legislation, confronting the public sector workforce and hostility towards trade unions. The run up to, and aftermath of, the 2010 General Election saw modernisation partially reasserted. This demonstrates the dynamic nature of Conservative Party change under Cameron's leadership and the need to recognise the trajectory of modernisation.