The Foundations of the British Conservative Party: Essays on Conservatism from Lord Salisbury to David Cameron

Description

This book provides a range of essays on aspects of the British Conservative Party from the late 19th century to the present day. It offers fresh perspectives on Margaret Thatcher and Thatcherism; Britain and Europe; UK policy towards Ireland; Conservatism and reform, and the conservative ideology, to name only a few of the key issues explored. An accessible and concise overview, this book is an important primer for anyone studying British politics, history, or social and political theory. Included are contributions by leading scholars in British political history, think tank commentators, and a former Prime Minister. It offers insights into the Conservative Party's staying power in spite of great social and political changes in the UK and the world. It looks at how the party has functioned historically and what its future might be, discussing its ideology and identity with reference to both Labour and Liberal opponents. Fundamentally it considers the conservative appeal to the electorate, conservative policy in both theory and practice, and debates that have taken place within and outside the party itself. Whether interested in Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George, or David Cameron and Nick Clegg, this work is intended to inform and challenge scholars and political practitioners alike. Contents Acknowledgements Foreword Contributor Information Introduction Origins of modern conservatism Foundations of the modern Conservative Party Section 1 The Conservative Ideal Chapter 1 The Principles of British Conservatism from Balfour to Heath, c.1910–75 Human nature and the fallacy of reason The nature of society Change and tradition Freedom, authority and the state Conclusion Chapter 2 The Conservative Dialectic of Margaret Thatcher’s First Term Conservatism Liberalism and conservatism: A marriage made in heaven? The conservative critique of Thatcher The hazard of the dry: Differing rationales for resisting the wets’ conservative critique Examination of the evidence The Thatcher governments after 1983 Conclusion Section 2 The Conservatives and the Union Chapter 3 Tory Rebels and Tory Democracy: The Ulster Crisis, 1900–14 ‘An outrage on democracy’ ‘Every vote for the Liberal is a vote for Civil War’ Conclusion Chapter 4 The Conservative Party and the Irish Question, c.1885–2010 From home rule to partition The Troubles The future? Section 3 Looking Beyond Westminster Chapter 5 Machinations of the Centre-Right and British Engagement with the Pan-European Ideal, 1929–48 Pan-Europa The impact of Briand A Conservative engages with Europe – Leo Amery A Liberal engages with Europe – Andrew MacFadyean The onset of war The American connection After 1945 Major donors to the UEM, 1948–49 – of a £21,116 total106 Chapter 6 The Conservatives and Local Government: Reform, Localism and the Big Society since 1888 Conservatism and local government – developing local governance as we know it A Conservative approach to organizing power at the local level – the creation of county councils The balance of power between central and local government – financing local governance The Conservatives and localism as a philosophy – Cameron’s construct? The Big Society and beyond Conclusion Section 4 Conservatism and Party Politics Chapter 7 Coalition Blues: The Conservatives, the Liberals and Conservative-Liberal Coalitions in Britain since 1895 The growing challenge of Labour The prospect of fusion Seeking to maintain a distinct identity The beginning of the end Reluctant Liberal withdrawal, 1932 Chapter 8 How to Put ‘the People First’: Conservative Conceptions of Reform Before and After the Second World War The Keynesian background The war The TRC and Beveridge Burke and Hayek Keeping a lid on the right Beyond the war Section 5 The Future of Conservatism Chapter 9 The Limits of Power: Conservative Experience and Opportunity Chapter 10 Neo-Orthodoxy: Conservative Economic Policy in the Twenty-First Century Conclusion – Where Next? The state of the party Gaining office Coalition politics Index