An analysis of the Conservatives since 1945 provides insight into what drives a political party to change

In his new book on the Conservatives since 1945, and in a public lecture at the LSE this Thursday, Tim Bale explores the reasons how and why parties change. He finds the fear of defeat is often just as important a motivator as defeat itself and that, when it comes to policy, what matters most are leaders. The supposed dominance of one faction or other, however, doesn’t seem to matter much.