They are following the Republican GOP playbook. As the party of ancient privilege Conservative is what conservative does, fight against anything that might benefit the wider public, namely the people, the poor, and the disadvantaged. Then they whip up the nationalist and racist who are nearly always against a more liberal society.

In the North and Midlands you can compare politics with fashions, like in the 1960's they were always 5-10 years behind London and generally against anything international. Just look to see where all the old UKIP votes have gone and add those to the more right wing Tories.