Democratising Conservative Leadership Selection: From Grey Suits to Grass Roots

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Democratising Conservative Leadership Selection: From Grey Suits to Grass Roots
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Andrew Denham
By (author) Kieron O'Hara
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:240
Dimensions(mm): Height 234,Width 156
ISBN/Barcode 9780719078187
ClassificationsDewey:324.24104
Audience
Tertiary Education (US: College)
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations Tables, black & white

Publishing Details

Publisher Manchester University Press
Imprint Manchester University Press
Publication Date 1 August 2008
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Democratising Conservative leadership selection traces the effects of democracy on the British Conservative Party, specifically looking at how changes in the ways the Conservatives elect their leaders have altered their mandate to lead. The book includes analysis of the original undemocratic 'system' whereby a leader 'emerged' from a shadowy process of consultation, and of the six elections between 1965 and 1997 where the parliamentary Conservative Party alone chose the Party leader. This historical perspective is followed by in-depth analysis of the three contests since 2001 that have taken place under the 'Hague rules', according to which ordinary Party members have the final say. This is the most comprehensive account yet published of the operation of those rules on the Conservative Party and the legitimacy of its leadership, and of the election in 2005 of David Cameron, the most controversial Tory leader since Margaret Thatcher. Combining a detailed historical analysis of the process of choosing Conservative leaders, and of the contemporary issues surrounding Cameron's attempts to 'modernise' the Party, this book is essential reading for students, academic specialists and anyone interested in the recent history and contemporary practice of British Conservatism.

Author Biography

Andrew Denham is Reader in Government, University of Nottingham. Kieron O'Hara is Senior Research Fellow in the School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, and a Fellow of the Web Science Research Initiative.