`This is a really excellent book, the best on British parties that I have read in recent years. Paul Webb utilises the latest research and modern analytical techniques to provide a sophisticated study of parties and the party system which is packed with information. It is a major contribution not just to the literature on British politics but also to the comparative literature on political partiesâ² - David Denver, Lancaster University `Paul Webbâ²s new book is likely to remain the standard work on the British party system for years to comeâ² - Peter Mair, University of Leiden `A landmark study. I cannot commend this book too highly to teachers of British politics, students and professional analysts alikeâ² - Ian Budge, University of Essex `An excellent book that will be much quoted by scholars in future yearsâ² - Alan Ware, Oxford University `Paul Webb provides the most comprehensive and well-documented analysis of the programmatic and organizational changes in the British party system. His conclusion that British parties remain critically important to the functioning of democracy is strengthened by his comparative approach. This book is a major contribution to the study of British party politicsâ² - Patrick Seyd, University of Sheffield Providing a complete up-to-date overview of the changing nature of contemporary party politics in Britain, this book draws on models of comparative politics and the latest empirical analysis to explain the capacity of British parties to adapt to a changing political environment. A number of broad themes include: the nature and extent of party competition; the internal life and organizational development of parties; the variety of evolving party systems in the United Kingdom; and the links between parties and the wider political system. The current weaknesses of party performance are addressed, and the scope of reform explained and examined. Contrary to claims of â²declineâ², however, the book demonstrates that party politics remain essentially vibrant and intrinsic to modern British democracy. The Modern British Party System will be an essential text for all students of contemporary British politics, parties and party systems.
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