Uk Political Parties Since 1945

What caused the 'strange death of Labour Britain'? Why did the party that swept to power in 1945 - and governed for half of the next twenty five years - falter so badly in the 1970's and 1980's? Here the author weighs up the conflicting arguments, and also takes a broader look at the interaction of policy, ideology and organisation in Labour's history. By drawing together these themes, Dr Jeffreys provides a wide-ranging introductory study: the first historical overview of the Labour party to cover the whole period between the eras of Clement Attlee and John Smith.

What do we really mean when we say a political party has changed? And exactly what is it that drives that change? Political scientists working in the comparative tradition have come up with a general explanation that revolves around the role of election defeats and loss of office, and around changes of leader and factions. But how well does that explanation cope when subjected to a historically-grounded and therefore robust examination? This book tries to answer that question by subjecting the common wisdom to a real-world, over-time test using one of the world's oldest and most successful political parties as an in-depth case study. What do the periods spent in both opposition and government by the British Conservatives since 1945 tell us about what drives parties to change their sales-force, the way they organize, and the policies they come up with? Using internal papers, memos and minutes of meetings from party archives, along with historical and contemporary accounts, memoirs and interviews, this book maps the extent of change and then explores what may have driven it. The conventional wisdom, it turns out, is not necessarily wrong but incomplete, requiring both qualification and supplementation. This approachably-written book suggests when, how, and why. Along the way, it provides a fresh and comprehensive account of the Conservative Party that should appeal equally to those interested in political history and those interested in political science.

This is the sixth edition of what has become the standard textbook on contemporary British political history since the end of World War II. This authoritative chronological survey discusses domestic policy and politics in particular, but also covers external and international relations. The new and improved edition of this important book brings the picture to the present by including the following additions: ʺ September 11th ʺ the Iraq war and after ʺ the election of Iain Duncan Smith DS and Michael Howard as leaders of the Conservative party ʺ the issue of immigration ʺ the new royal wedding ʺ the 2005 election ʺ the importance of China on the British stage. Britain since 1945 is essential reading for any student of contemporary British history and politics.

Providing a comprehensive account of British politics since the end of the Second World War, this work is a useful reference book covering 60 key years of British politics. It is useful for academics, students and the general public alike.

This is a succinct, timely introduction to one of the most highly charged political questions which has dominated British politics since 1945: Britain's position in Europe. The study traces the evolution of British policy towards Europe since 1945, presenting the full international context as well as the impact on domestic party politics - including an analysis of the divisions in the Conservative Party under John Major.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of Britain's development since the end of the Second World War. It comprises 23 contributions from leading authorities and newer scholars, set in context with a foreword by Raymond Seitz. A comprehensive and fascinating introduction to Britain from the end of the Second World War Draws together the themes that have dominated discussion amongst scholars and media commentators The chapters are set in context with a foreword by Raymond Seitz Covers topics such as foreigh policy, political parties, the media, race relations, women and social change, science and IT, culture, industrial relations, the welfare state, and political and economic issues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland