In pictures: How the Sun has switched political sides under Rupert Murdoch

After Rupert Murdoch bought the Sun in 1969, it remained a nominally Labour paper. In May 1979, it changed tack with the unequivocal headline 'Vote Tory this time'. The paper loyally supported Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government from her election that year to her resignation in 1990, particularly during the 1984-85 miners' strike. The paper claims this April 1992 election day front page was crucial in helping John Major defeat Labour leader Neil Kinnock Photograph: Public domain

The next day, the paper claims responsibility for the Conservatives' election victory Photograph: Public domain

The paper comes out in favour of New Labour in March 1997, two months before Tony Blair's landslide general election victory Photograph: Public domain

In an imaginative stunt, the Sun mimics the selection of a new Pope by turning the smoke from the Wapping chimney red to show its support for Labour in the 2005 general election Photograph: Public domain

In August this year, the paper attacks politicians for being out of touch on the war in Afghanistan Photograph: Public domain

Today's front page announcing that the Sun is dropping its support for Labour and backing the Conservatives Photograph: Public domain

The Sun's party political stance has always been tempered by strong anti-EU sentiments. Here it takes a stand against European integration in November 1990 Photograph: Public domain

The paper uses a photo of Gordon Brown superimposed on a classic shot of Winston Churchill as part of its campaign against the European constitution in September 2007 Photograph: Public domain