Synopses & Reviews
The Conservative Party's periods in opposition have been of crucial importance. They have seen major changes in direction, and often been the springboard for recovering power. There have also been leadership crises and bitter divisions, and recovery was never inevitable. In the first study to examine the topic as a whole, leading authorities present new evidence and interpretations. The book makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the Conservative Party and of opposition in modern British politics.
About the Author
Stuart Ball is Reader in History at the University of Leicester. Anthony Seldon is the Founding Director of the Institute of Contemporary British History and Headmaster of Brighton College.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Conservatives in Opposition; S.Ball & A.Seldon * The Disraelian Achievement: 1868-1874; A.Hawkins * A New Style and Content: 1880-1885 and 1886; D.Steele * Opposition from Strength: 1892-1895; D.Steele * Faction and Failure: 1905-1910; F.Coetzee * The Constitution in Suspense: 1911-1915; D.Dutton * Democracy and the Rise of Labour: 1924 and 1929-1931; S.Ball * The New Conservatism? 1945-1951; D.Willetts * Planning for Power: 1964-1970; M.Garnett * The Making of Thatcherism: 1974-1979; D.Kavanagh * The Conservatives in Opposition since 1997; A.Seldon Introduction: Conservatives in Opposition; S.Ball & A.Seldon * The Disraelian Achievement: 1868-1874; A.Hawkins * A New Style and Content: 1880-1885 and 1886; D.Steele * Opposition from Strength: 1892-1895; D.Steele * Faction and Failure: 1905-1910; F.Coetzee * The Constitution in Suspense: 1911-1915; D.Dutton * Democracy and the Rise of Labour: 1924 and 1929-1931; S.Ball * The New Conservatism? 1945-1951; D.Willetts * Planning for Power: 1964-1970; M.Garnett * The Making of Thatcherism: 1974-1979; D.Kavanagh * The Conservatives in Opposition since 1997; A.Seldon