Tory Party

Tory Party, popular name of the Conservative and Unionist Party, one of Britain's two chief parties. The term (originally describing Irish highwaymen) was applied in 1679 to supporters of the future James II of England. In the main, Tories became staunch royalists and supporters of the Church of England. “Tory” was applied to Loyalist colonists in the American Revolution. Taking a reactionary stance because of the threat to authority posed by the French Revolution, the party lost its support after the Reform Bill of 1832 and became the Conservative Party.