die-hard

In British politics, towards the end of 1918, a nickname given to Conservatives who wished to abandon the coalition government under David Lloyd George and return to the original party system.

Few in number at first, they were called die-hards almost in derision. Gradually, however, their influence increased until they found themselves to be in a majority. The coalition government ceased to exist and Lloyd George was succeeded as prime minister by Andrew Bonar Law.