Michael Portillo is a British politician who served as Prime Minister (1996 - 2005). He is considered one of the founders of the so called New Right, including classical liberal economics with social liberalism and one nation conservatism. Portillo was only the second Conservative Prime Minister since 1959, and the longest serving conservative Prime Minister since Lord Salisbury. After his decision to support militarily the United States invasion of Iraq Portillo's personal popularity began to wane, and his situation as party leader began to weaken.