Definition
‘on the right’ would be loosely described as a political philosophy which favours conservative, pro-market, attitudes with a preference for (some) individual rights over interventionist government, a strict approach to law and order, and a strong defence force and a sense of nationalism. ‘on the left’ would be, loosely, opposite to the above together with a so called ‘womb to tomb’ approach to social welfare and an internationalist world view. Terms originated in the French Estates General in 1789 when the nobility who favoured complacency sat on the King’s right and those who wanted change and amelioration of the peasant’s conditions sat on the left.