Coalition government 2010-15

• increased antagonism in conservative party
• modernisers vs traditional conservatives
• divided into 2 - Hayton


  -modernisers : recognise that families now more diverse and willing to reflect this in their policies

  -traditionalists : favour a New Right view, reject diversity as it's 'morally wrong'
• difficulty due to the division

  -difficult to maintain a consistent policy line on family

  > Coalition government introduced gay marriage

  opposed by New Right traditionalists
• critics argue

  -Coalition government's financial austerity policies reflected the New Right's desire to cut public spending

  -however failed to introduce policies that specifically promote the New Right ideal of nuclear family

  > Browne
• Browne AO3


  -found that two parent families with children fared particularly badly as result of Coalition's tax & benefits policies