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Based on a unique series of surveys conducted during the 1990s, this book examines changes in the social backgrounds, attitudes, beliefs and political activities of Labour party members. It addresses questions such as: What do Labour party members think of New Labour and its policies? How important are the members to the party? Are they becoming more or less active over time? Can the party dispense with its membership and still remain viable?
List of contents
List of Figures List of Tables Introduction: Party Transformation The Blair Project: Setting the Context The Grassroots Members: Who Are They? The Grassroots: What Do They Believe? What Do They Do? Activism and Campaigning in the New Labour Party What Do the Members Think of the Party and of the Government? Conclusions Appendix Bibliography Index
About the author
PATRICK SEYD is Professor of Politics and Director of the Institute for the Study of Political Parties at the University of Sheffield. He is author of The Rise and Fall of the Labour Left, co-author with Paul Whiteley and Jon Parry of Labour and Conservative Party Members, 1990-92, and co-author with Paul Whiteley of Labour's Grass Roots: The Politics of Party Membership.
PAUL WHITELEY is Professor of Politics at the University of Essex. He is the author of The Labour Party Crisis, Models of Political Economy, and is co-author with Patrick Seyd and Jon Parry of Labour and Conservative Party Members, 1990-02, and co-author with Patrick Seyd of Labour's Grass Roots: The Politics of Party Membership. He received the Political Science Communication Award by the Political Studies Association in 2003.
Summary
Based on a unique series of surveys conducted during the 1990s, this book examines changes in the social backgrounds, attitudes, beliefs and political activities of Labour party members. It addresses questions such as: What do Labour party members think of New Labour and its policies? How important are the members to the party? Are they becoming more or less active over time? Can the party dispense with its membership and still remain viable?
Additional text
'Much of the evidence presented by Seyd and Whiteley is quantitative...but they consciously try and write and present the material in an accessible way. There is refreshingly little political science 'babble'...the book will probably be most eagerly read in new Labour circles, anyone interested in British politics should enjoy it and learn from it.' - David Denver, Professor of Politics, Lancaster University, Times Higher Educational Supplement
Report
'Much of the evidence presented by Seyd and Whiteley is quantitative...but they consciously try and write and present the material in an accessible way. There is refreshingly little political science 'babble'...the book will probably be most eagerly read in new Labour circles, anyone interested in British politics should enjoy it and learn from it.' - David Denver, Professor of Politics, Lancaster University, Times Higher Educational Supplement
