Description
In this overview for students, scholars, and policy makers, Driver (social sciences, Roehampton U.) gives background on recent changes that have led to the decline of two-party politics in the UK and factors that have driven the growth of multi-party politics. Three chapters are devoted to the three main parties in national British politics: the Conservative Party in the post-Thatcher era; New Labour and the Labour party; and the Liberal Democrats. The author also considers the rise of nationalist and far right politics, detailing how the UKIP and the BNP entered the political mainstream, and examines the diverging paths of the failing socialist parties and the emerging Green Party. National politics in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are also reviewed. A final chapter considers the dangers facing democratic politics and suggests what political parties should do to restore the public's trust. The book is distributed in the US by Wiley. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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`This book combines approachability with comparative concerns and insights: the author not only provides an introduction to UK party politics but sets the British system in context. As a result, it's an ideal entry-level text for students.' ---TIM BALE, UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX`This is an excellent text which charts a safe path for students through the minefield that is contemporary British party politics in a wonderfully efficient yet engaging way.'---COLIN HAY, UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD`An excellent introductory undergraduate text. It covers history, ideology, strategic debate, organisation, the functions of parties and the challenges to them, plus debates about reform - and there are good overviews of each of the main protagonists in the UK party system. Extremely readable, informative, engaging and up-to-date.'---PAUL WEBB, UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX The 2010 general election caught many by surprise as it swept away the old certainties of two-party politics. But, as Stephen Driver shows in this new book, multi-party politics had already established itself as a feature of contemporary British political life. In recent years, both Labour and the Conservatives lost their iron grip on the electorate and the Liberal Democrats emerged as a significant and credible third party force across the country. In local, devolved and European elections, smaller parties from across the ideological spectrum have been adding to the political mix.This fluid and uncertain political scene provides a unique moment to explore the dynamics of UK political parties and the key challenges facing them as they grapple with the changing shape of politics in 21st-century Britain.Moreover, at a time when trust in politics has hit an all-time low, political parties are facing a crisis in confidence. Membership of mainstream parties has melted away, while support for pressure groups in areas such as the environment and human rights has grown. In understanding how political parties have become much more aggressive, professionally driven organizations, this book points to real concerns about their capacity to engage and mobilize an increasingly critical and disenchanted electorate. British politics needs strong parties, but to regain voters' trust, they need to change.---Stephen Driver is head of the Department of Social Sciences at Roehampton University.
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