Union

Abstract

The constitutional dilemma is explored further in this chapter, which looks specifically at the territorial dimension of the Union of the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom. Unsurprisingly, the Conservative Right has been strongly Unionist, especially in relation to Northern Ireland. However, the Conservative Right has been less united over how best to preserve the Union with three distinctive positions emerging—reactionary, conservative and radical. With the introduction of legislative devolution for Scotland and Wales in 1999 this has opened up the dilemma with some arguing that the Conservatives should remain Unionist and others arguing that it should define itself increasingly in English, rather than British, terms.