'Conservatives are pragmatic rather than ideological'. Discuss. (Edexcel A Level, 2013)

Any answer to this question should start with a clear definition of pragmatism - the belief that behaviour should be shaped by practical circumstances, rather than principles or ideological beliefs.
Arguing for the statement, traditional conservatives would favour pragmatism because they believe humans are intellectually limited. The political world is impossible to understand, so it's essential that humans aren't driven by grand theories that claim this understanding. Instead, humans should operate with respect to existing practical circumstances and traditions, adapting a cautious approach to the world.
However, there are different types of conservatism, and 'new right' Thatcherite conservatism is avowedly ideological. They adopt a principled belief in the economic liberty - and argue in favour of the free market and of privatisation. These conservatives are much more willing to adopt radical reforms on the basis of ideological beliefs.
A stretch candidate could also discuss whether it is possible for any political school of thought to be truly pragmatic. Traditional conservatives believe in pragmatism, but this could be seen as an ideological belief in itself.