I have become curious as to the origin of these terms when used to describe socialist or conservative politics.

It occurred to me that it might originate from the positions of the two parties in Parliament, but research shows that in the UK at least the party in power sits on the right of the Speaker and the major opposition sits on the left.

Please can any political history buff provide the answer?

Come to think of it, why is left wing red and right wing blue?

dxb