The ontological failure of David Cameron’s ‘modernisation’ of the Conservative Party

David Cameron’s leadership of the Conservatives took as its starting point assumption that party needed to modernise, requiring a move towards political ‘centre ground’. This shift presented with series challenges, including brand detoxification, management, and policy renewal. Modernisation also implied ideological change, distance from legacy Thatcherism realign conservatism values wider section electorate. In this respect, Cameronite modernisation can be judged failure. article suggests ontological contradictions inherent in central elements conservatism, specifically ‘Big Society’ ‘social justice agenda’, fatally undermined coherence. It argues is an important hitherto overlooked part explanation for shortcomings Conservative Party project. Although only one failure modernisation, case study demonstrates assumptions matter practice.