Skip to main content
  • Book
  • © 2008

The Labour Party and Constitutional Reform

A History of Constitutional Conservatism

Palgrave Macmillan

Authors:

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check for access.

Table of contents (11 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-vii
  2. Electoral Reform

    • Peter Dorey
    Pages 14-48
  3. The House of Commons

    • Peter Dorey
    Pages 49-99
  4. The House of Lords

    • Peter Dorey
    Pages 100-140
  5. The Civil Service

    • Peter Dorey
    Pages 141-182
  6. Open Government

    • Peter Dorey
    Pages 183-202
  7. Scottish Devolution

    • Peter Dorey
    Pages 203-240
  8. Welsh Devolution

    • Peter Dorey
    Pages 241-280
  9. English Regionalism

    • Peter Dorey
    Pages 281-311
  10. Northern Ireland

    • Peter Dorey
    Pages 312-346
  11. Back Matter

    Pages 380-410

About this book

Examines the Labour Party's approach to constitutional reforms in historical context, and how these have been pursued more to 'modernize' political institutions, rather that radically transform them. Explains the reasons for this constitutional conservatism, and the debates which specific reform proposals have prompted in the Party.

Reviews

'...this book is an absolute must for all British constitution specialists. Dorey's writing is comprehensive and engaging. It is a fairly rare occurrence to find an academic book that can provide you with an informative and rather enjoyable afternoon's reading, but this one certainly does. Dorey considers the huge issue with a deft touch, providing both insight and explanation of the often rather complex views of the Labour party. His research is extensive and thorough, and he covers a wide variety of policy areas, highlighting both the consistency and, in some cases, the inconsistency of the views of certain sections of the party...I cannot recommend this book enough to both Labour party specialists and constitutional experts. It is a must for bookshelves and an extremely useful addition to both undergraduate and postgraduate reading lists.' - Victoria Honeyman, Political Studies Review

'This study presents a strong, well-researched, forceful and insightful argument, and will undoubtedly provide the platform for more research and debate on the party's attitude towards constitutional reform.' - Mark J Crowley, 20th Century British History

'The book is a very useful addition to the literature on constitutional reform...Dorey's charting of evolving party policy towards the various constitutional issues under examination is detailed and insightful...The book will serve as a valuable source to those who wish to know more about how the Labour Party developed the various policy platforms it adopted throughout its history, and how these fed into the reform package pursued in government after 1997...' Parliamentary History

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Politics, Cardiff University, UK

    Peter Dorey

About the author

PETER DOREY  is Reader in British Politics at Cardiff University, UK. He has published widely on various aspects of post-1945 British politics and public policy. His previous books include The Conservative Party and the Trade Unions, Policy Making in Britain: an Introduction, The Labour Governments, 1964-1970 and Wage Politics in Britain.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: The Labour Party and Constitutional Reform

  • Book Subtitle: A History of Constitutional Conservatism

  • Authors: Peter Dorey

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230594159

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan London

  • eBook Packages: Palgrave History Collection, History (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited 2008

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-230-20535-2Published: 17 June 2008

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-1-349-30196-6Published: 01 January 2008

  • eBook ISBN: 978-0-230-59415-9Published: 17 June 2008

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: VII, 410

  • Topics: History of Britain and Ireland, Political History, Political Science, Modern History

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access