conservatives; old guard
Refers to a faction or group that resists change and upholds traditional ways, especially in political or organizational contexts.
党内の守旧派は改革に強く反対した。
The conservatives within the party strongly opposed the reforms.
彼は守旧派のリーダーとして知られている。
He is known as a leader of the old guard.
オールドガード and 守旧派 both describe conservative members who resist change, though オールドガード is a borrowed, more casual term while 守旧派 is a more formal, often political label.
Compound of 守旧 (shukyū, 'adhering to old ways') + 派 (ha, 'faction'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is a modern political term.