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The Party's Over

The Rise and Fall of the Conservatives from Thatcher to Sunak
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( 66 ratings, 13 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Party's Over by Phil Burton-Cartledge offers a penetrating analysis of the decline of Europe's once most successful political party, the British Conservative and Unionist party. Tracing its journey from the Thatcher era to the leadership of Sunak, the book reveals how the party has lost its connection with the British people, compromised the unity of the United Kingdom in pursuit of Brexit, and become mired in outdated doctrines. It also highlights the party's aging membership and the fracturing coalition between countryside and City interests, with younger voters increasingly disconnected from its values.
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Ideal for readers interested in British politics, contemporary current affairs, and political science, especially those seeking a critical and left-leaning perspective on the challenges facing the Conservative Party and the future of the UK.

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The Fall of the Tory Party - from Thatcher to Sunak

The Fall of the Tory Party - from Thatcher to Sunak

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Today, it is not a question of if, but when. What we are watching is the collapse of the most successful political party in Europe. Despite winning the December 2019 General Election, the parliamentary Conservative and Unionist Party is facing its own demise. It no longer speaks for, or to, the British people. Its leadership has sacrificed the long-standing commitment to the Union to 'Get Brexit Done'. Beyond this, it is an intellectual vacuum, propped up by half-baked doctrine and magical thinking.

The Party's Over by Phil Burton-Cartledge starts with the Thatcher era and shows how swiftly the party struggled to find a popular vision for the United Kingdom. He charts the flaws and failings of each successive leader, all the way to Sunak. He also examines the state of the membership and shows that they have become increasingly old. Their values have not been adopted by the younger voters, who are unable to share the benefits.

Furthermore, the coalition between the countryside and City interests is under pressure, and the latter is split by Brexit.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Danny Dorling praises the book as a "masterful account of the long view," explaining how Conservative policies increasingly benefit fewer people and depend on older voters' fears. Grace Blakeley calls it "an important and timely intervention" providing a rigorous analysis of British Conservatism that fills a gap in left strategic thought. Alfie Steer of Tribune describes it as a "timely" and "important contribution" to militant political science on the left. Reviews also note Burton-Cartledge's bold and revealing thesis and astute insights.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781839760372

Publisher: Verso Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 August 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Verso Books

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 290g

Pages: 368

About the Author

Phil Burton-Cartledge is a lecturer in Sociology at the University of Derby. Via his blog, All That Is Solid, he regularly writes about politics and current affairs. He has also written for The Independent, New Statesman, and OpenDemocracy.

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  • The Party's Over
    Despite winning the December 2019 General Election, the Conservative parliamentary party is a moribund organisation. It no longer speaks for, or to, the British people. Its leadership has sacrificed the long-standing commitment to the Union to 'Get Brexit Done'. And beyond this, it is an intellectual vacuum, propped up by half-baked doctrine and magical thinking. The Party's Over offers an...
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