Who belongs to the Labour Party and why? What are their opinions about politics and society, or about the 'new model' party of Neil Kinnock?After the electoral debacle of 1983 the Labour leadership embarked on a strategy of modernization in order to win back some of their lost support. The leadership has consistently tried to empower the party members at the expense of the trade unions and the party activists. But this strategy has been a 'leap in the dark', since the leadership has had no idea what views party members hold on matters of policy or internal organization.This book publishes the results of the first comprehensive study of party members, examining who they are, why they joined the Labour Party, and discussing their views on activism, the party, and society as a whole.Journalistic accounts of party membership abound with images of unrepresentative extremists and eccentrics. This book replaces journalistic hunches with accurate information on a significant group of actors in the British political process.

Labour's Grass Roots: The Politics of Party Membership

Politics & Social Sciences

Seyd, Patrick

Whiteley, Paul

Social Sciences

Oxford University Press

Political parties are the driving force behind liberal democracy, yet knowledge of who belongs to them and why is almost nonexistent. This work attempts to provide the first national profile of the social background, characteristics, attitudes and values, as well as the political experiences and activities of Labour Party members in Great Britain.

Clarendon Press

This book is the first in-depth study of this crucial section of the Conservative Party. Drawing on new and revealing survey data, it paints a fascinating picture of the social make-up and political views of a grass roots membership who dislike Jacques Delors more than the European Community, and The Sun newspaper most of all. The book challenges the stereotypical view of the Conservative activist as an eccentric and politically irrelevant Thatcher-loving extremist. Instead, the authors argue that the grass roots membership are the unsung heroes of political life; helping to keep the party system working and democracy intact at a time when it is under considerable strain.

True Blues: The Politics of Conservative Party Membership

Business & Money

Richardson, Jeremy

Economics

This book is the first in-depth study of this crucial section of the Conservative Party. Drawing on new and revealing survey data, it paints a fascinating picture of the social make-up and political views of a grass roots membership who dislike Jacques Delors more than the European Community, and The Sun newspaper most of all. The book challenges the stereotypical view of the Conservative activist as an eccentric and politically irrelevant Thatcher-loving extremist. Instead, the authors argue that the grass roots membership are the unsung heroes of political life; helping to keep the party system working and democracy intact at a time when it is under considerable strain.

History

Russia

Based on extensive research and a nationally representative survey of the grassroots party, this is the first book-length study of Liberal Democrat party members. It examines who they are, why they joined the party, what activities they undertake both in the wider community and in electoral politics, and it looks at their views on a whole range of policy issues in British politics.

Third Force Politics: Liberal Democrats at the Grassroots

Billinghurst, Antony

Politics & Government

The Rise and Fall of the Labour Left

An account of the rise of the left wing in the Labour Party in Britain during the 1970s and early 1980s and its marginalisation under the Kinnock leadership. It introduces the main currents on the Left and sets out their ideas, demands, achievements and limitations.

Palgrave HE UK

Citizenship in Britain: Values, Participation and Democracy

The concept of citizenship is currently the focus of discussion by the media, politicians and academics, because of a generally perceived growth in public disaffection and apathy. Presenting the first comprehensive study of British citizenship, this book is comprised of surveys of political participation and voluntary activities, as well as the beliefs and values which support them. The authors provide a sophisticated discussion of the concept of citizenship, and the consequences of a lack of civic engagement in a modern democracy.

Pattie, Charles

Cambridge University Press

Europe

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Books by Seyd, Patrick

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Seyd, Patrick. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Labour's Grass Roots: The Politics of Party Membership

Labour's Grass Roots: The Politics of Party Membership

True Blues: The Politics of Conservative Party Membership

True Blues: The Politics of Conservative Party Membership

Third Force Politics: Liberal Democrats at the Grassroots

The Rise and Fall of the Labour Left

Citizenship in Britain: Values, Participation and Democracy

Citizenship in Britain: Values, Participation and Democracy