Page "Prime Minister of the United Kingdom" Paragraph 20

Political parties first appeared during the Exclusion Crisis of 1678 – 1681.

The Whigs, who believed in limited monarchy, wanted to exclude James Stuart from succeeding to the throne because he was a Catholic.

The Tories, who believed in the " Divine Right of Kings ", defended James ' hereditary claim.

These parties dominated British politics for over 150 years, with the Whigs evolving into the Liberal Party and the Tories into the Conservative.

Even today, Conservatives are often called " Tories ".