Background

• Disraeli saw the Industrial revolution the possibly of social order breaking down
• Government should act as the father of the nation
• Radical - changed conservatives' views on the role governing
• government needing to take a more active and interventionist role in providing welfare and support
• greater role of central government
• represented the wealthy middle class emerging from the industrial revolution
• wealthy elites should care for the poor through acts of charity but also taxation and political reform in order to fund government support for the poor
• arose as a response to economic and social changes threatening social order
• supported some electoral reform which gave people a greater stake in their society