High Tory

Historically, the late 18th-century conservatism derived from the Whig Edmund Burke and William Pitt the Younger marks a watershed from the "higher" or legitimist Toryism that was allied to Jacobitism.

The High Tory view in the 18th century preferred lowered taxation and deplored Whig support for a standing army, an expanding empire and navy, and overseas commerce.

[citation needed] The change was noticeable from the 1760s with the premierships of John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute and William Pitt the Younger.

[citation needed] High Tories prefer the values of the historical landed gentry and aristocracy, with their noblesse oblige and their self-imposed sense of duty and responsibility to all of society, including the lower classes.

Their focus is on maintaining a traditional, rooted society and way of life, which is often as much threatened by modern capitalism as by state socialism.

A High Tory also favours a strong organic community, in contrast to Whig, liberal and neoconservative individualism.