The British Conservative Party and One Nation Politics

This book bestows academic light in place of disputed ideological heat emanating primarily from Conservative political polemicists on the role, influence and ideological trajectory of the One Nation Group of Conservative MPs. It contributes to the debates on policy and the role of 'think tanks' in such policy formulation over the period 1950-2005; the debate over the existence and extent of 'consensus' in post-war British politics; and to research on political parties in general and factions and tendencies in particular.

Autorentext

David Seawright is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) at the University of Leeds and a co-director of the Members of Parliament Project. His previous works include An Important Matter of Principle and (edited with David Baker) Britain for and Against Europe?

Inhalt

Chapter One Introduction: One Nation, Food For Thought

1. The Chapters and the Thesis
2. Mythical Origins: Disraeli On England
3. The Myth Incarnate
4. Blue Moods and Black-Balls
5. The Context of Influence

Chapter Two Ethos and Doctrine in the Conservative Party

1. Conservative ideology
2. Conservative Principles
3. Political Recrudescence

Chapter Three The Thracian Boxer and Ideological Movement

1. The Pamphlets: 'Let the Dog See the Rabbit'
2. Forecast is for Dry to Wet, Then Dry Again
3. Mapping Conservative Policy Preferences
4. Appendix to Chapter Three

Chapter Four Skilled Propaganda From Ill-Intentioned 'Friends'

1. A Great Moving Left Show
2. Retrospective Procrustean Polemics
3. Concessionary Conservatism

Chapter Five Factions, Tendencies and 'Bondstones'?

1. Post-War: Reform and/or Progress?
2. No Turning Back to PEST
3. Conservative Typologies: towards 'Topsy' Dimensions
4. 'Bondstone Groups'

Chapter Six One Nation, but which?

1. The Devolution Dilemma of a Rebounding 'Scottish Card'
2. The 'English Question'
3. Civis Britannicus sum?
4. Cameron's One Nation Conundrum

Chapter Seven 'One Europe or No Nation'?

1. The Party of Europe and 'One Europe'?
2. Merchant Shipping with a Malign Form of Maastricht
3. The Euro-Ratchet Halted or Withdrawal?

Chapter Eight Conclusion: Further Refreshment at the Springs of Doctrine

1. Back to the Future: The Responsible Society
2. In Conclusion: Cameron Conservatism.

Bibliography