As austerity measures begin to take full effect, the gap between the Conservative party’s ‘woman-friendly’ rhetoric and reality will become more apparent

Attempts at ‘feminising’ the Conservative Party stand in opposition to both its vested interests and its ideological tendencies. Valerie Bryson argues that so far the Party’s policies have damaged the interests of many women and benefitted only a few. It is unlikely that this will change significantly before the next election.