The forerunner of the British Conservative Party from about 1680 to 1830. It was the party of the squire and parson, as opposed to the Whigs (which was supported by the trading classes and Nonconformists). The name is still applied colloquially to the Conservative Party. In the USA a Tory was an opponent of the break with Britain in the American Revolution 177583.
Red and white are the traditional colours of South East Asia. The blue canton recalls the British Empire and represents unity. Yellow is the colour of the Sultans of Malaysia. Effective date: 16 September 1963.