The Conservatives have faced a number of crises since emerging as one of the largest parties in British politics. These crises, which are well documented and analysed by historians of the party, were overcome with strong leadership, determination to shake off the pressures from outside, or ruthless determination to survive, no matter the odds.
Longevity, for the party, has been enabled by a clear survival instinct, which immediately points to solutions for problems. For example, the removal of Iain Duncan Smith from the leadership in 2003 was a reaction to both the evidence of declining support and his own failure to craft a narrative of success.
