The British Party System : An Introduction

The history of British political parties tells of change and continuity. But, how and why?

This textbook continues to provide the best introduction currently available on the British political party system, explaining the history, structure, actors and policies of both the main political parties and the minor parties. Substantially revised and updated, this fourth edition contains new material on the:

• political party system in post-devolution Scotland and Wales
• media and political parties
• emergence of minor parties onto the British political landscape
• replacement of party ideology with political pragmatism.

Stephen Ingle argues that in order to meet formidable national and international challenges the British party system is once more in need of fundamental change, to a less confrontational style of politics. The British Party System is the ideal book for students of British politics wanting a topical and accessible text on political parties in the UK.

Stephen Ingle was Head of Politics at the University of Stirling during 1991-2002 having previously been Head of Politics at the University of Hull. He was later awarded an Emeritus Professorship in 2006.