Manchester University Press
7 The evolving Conservative Party membership
-
Abstract
In this chapter, survey data is used to profile the contemporary Conservative Party demographically and ideologically, and to investigate the members’ attitudes towards decision-making in the party. The chapter shows how the party membership has gained considerable ground over the years in terms selecting candidates and party leaders; and while the party essentially maintains its long tradition of leadership autonomy in respect of policy formulation, it is also true that the grassroots are now able and willing to exercise the various opportunities for expression of dissent on questions of strategy, organization and policy afforded by the development of new social media.
Abstract
In this chapter, survey data is used to profile the contemporary Conservative Party demographically and ideologically, and to investigate the members’ attitudes towards decision-making in the party. The chapter shows how the party membership has gained considerable ground over the years in terms selecting candidates and party leaders; and while the party essentially maintains its long tradition of leadership autonomy in respect of policy formulation, it is also true that the grassroots are now able and willing to exercise the various opportunities for expression of dissent on questions of strategy, organization and policy afforded by the development of new social media.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vi
- Notes on contributors vii
- Preface and acknowledgments ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 David Cameron’s leadership and party renewal 22
- 2 Constructing a new conservatism? 41
- 3 Policies under Cameron 58
- 4 The Conservative Party and a changing electorate 82
- 5 The parliamentary party 105
- 6 Continuing fault lines and new threats 121
- 7 The evolving Conservative Party membership 139
- 8 Conclusion 159
- Select bibliography 168
- Index 175
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vi
- Notes on contributors vii
- Preface and acknowledgments ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 David Cameron’s leadership and party renewal 22
- 2 Constructing a new conservatism? 41
- 3 Policies under Cameron 58
- 4 The Conservative Party and a changing electorate 82
- 5 The parliamentary party 105
- 6 Continuing fault lines and new threats 121
- 7 The evolving Conservative Party membership 139
- 8 Conclusion 159
- Select bibliography 168
- Index 175
