The Conservatives are back, and back with a bang two election wins in a row and, providing they can hold things together, in a pretty good position to win another. But many questions about their recent past, present, and future still remain. Just why did the world s oldest and most successful political party dump Margaret Thatcher only to commit electoral suicide under John Major? And what stopped the Tories getting their act together until David Cameron came along? Did Cameron change his party as much as he sometimes liked to claim, or did his leadership, both in opposition and in government, involve more compromise - and more Conservatism than we realize? Finally, what does the result of the EU referendum mean for the Party in years to come?

The answers, as this accessible and gripping book shows, are as intriguing and provocative as the questions. Based on in-depth research and interviews with the key players, Tim Bale explains how and why the Tories lost power in 1997 and how and why they have eventually been able to rediscover their winning ways, even if internal tensions and external challenges mean they still can t take anything for granted. Crucial, he suggests, are the people, the power structures, the ideas, and the very different interests of those involved. This second edition of The Conservative Party: From Thatcher to Cameronis a must-read for anyone wanting to understand what makes the Tories tick.

About the Author
Tim Bale is Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London, specialising in British and European party politics. His other books include The Conservatives since 1945 and Five Year Mission: the Labour Party under Ed Miliband. Tim has written for the Financial Times, the Guardian, the Observer and the Telegraph and appeared on radio and television to talk about politics. You can follow him on Twitter @ProfTimBale

Reviews

'This fully updated survey is, more than ever, the indispensable study on the recent history of the party, confirming Tim Bale as the best political historian writing today.'
Matthew d Ancona, columnist, The Guardian and the Evening Standard

'Tim Bale s study of the Conservatives is a closely argued account of the party s journey from Thatcher to the present day, and will prove essential reading for anyone interested in politics.'
John Bercow

'An extraordinary portrait of an extraordinary era. It reads so well and it rings so true.'
Gyles Brandreth

Book Information
ISBN 9780745687452
Author Tim Bale
Format Paperback
Page Count 472
Imprint Polity Press
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Weight(grams) 794g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 41mm