The Political Thought of the Conservative Party since 1945

by Kevin Hickson (Editor)

The Conservative Party is usually seen as being non-ideological. This book is the first comprehensive treatment of the political thought of the Conservative Party examining the major elements of Conservative thinking since 1945, cross-cutting thematic issues and commentaries from leading politicians and journalists. The book is essential for anyone interested in the history and future of the Party.

Genres: Politics

241 pages, Hardcover

First published January 28, 2005

About the author

Kevin Hickson is Senior Lecturer in British Politics at the University of Liverpool, UK.

Reviews

[Hubert Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, first-class account of Conservative Party thought, neatly but, impressively, not chronologically covering its evolution and many strands since 1945. By covering so much ground it almost leaves the reader with the thought that the Tory big tent possesses perennially irreconcilable differences which are only ever overcome by morphing into an oppositional ideology (i.e. Thatcher's evils - the Soviets, socialism, and unions; perhaps Cameron's caricature of New Labour's profligacy too?)

Despite the excellent editing of the chapters, Hickson's chapter about inequality being a 'central commitment' of the Conservative Party is downright bizarre. That policies pursued by government would lead to inequality - in the way Hickson's defines it - is surely a truism; no non-Communist government would ever embrace the ultra-radical proposition of pursuing equality as an end in itself! This, however, should not take away from the brilliance of the other chapters, less the overtly and overly political 'Commentaries'.