Overview

The 2024 general election has disrupted the traditional view that Britain has a two-party system. Six parties with differing appeals– Labour, the Conservatives, Reform, Liberal Democrats, Greens and Nationalists– now compete for votes, MPs and control of government. Last July Labour won a landslide majority with the lowest share of the vote in British electoral history and the Conservatives lost with the lowest vote in their history. The support that Labour is now losing in the polls is not swinging to the Tories but to so-called “third” parties such as Reform and the Greens. This book will show how the increasing detachment of voters from the two governing parties is placing party leaders under stress as “third” parties are collectively winning the most support. This leaves open whether the next election will produce a majority government or a new system of minority or coalition government. -- .

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9781807072100

Table of Contents

Reviews

This is a beautifully written book, packed with information, telling a dramatic story: the decline of once dominant political parties, the manifestly distorted representation of a fragmented electorate, and the instability that is likely to follow. This is a book that will run into multiple editions. James Curran Professor of Communications Goldsmiths, University of London This book is a brilliant guide to the British party system today, the complexities of which render many books out of date. Rose draws on more than half a century of studying PARTIES first hand to trace how Britain has moved from a two-party to a six-party system. The analysis of alternative scenarios of the next election is a particular strength. Professor Dennis Kavanagh, author of 12 Nuffield studies of British general elections The rise of Reform UK and the collapse of traditional party loyalties have generated much noise and confusion. Thank goodness for Richard Rose, who analyses the turmoil with badly needed rigour and clarity. He has given us an indispensable guide to possible outcomes of the next general election – and what might change afterwards. Peter Kellner, political journalist and former president of YouGov -- .

Author Information

Professor Richard Rose is an international pioneer in the comparative study of parties, elections and public policy. He has co-authored a Nuffield election study, national and comparative analyses of election surveys and election statistics, and many studies of the problems of party government. He has written about elections for The Times, the Daily Telegraph and weeklies and appeared on election night television for ITN, STV and RTE. Over the years he has held fellowships in Washington, Stanford, Berlin, EUI Florence, Madrid and more. Rose has given seminars in 45 countries across Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Asia, and his books and articles have been translated into 18 languages. -- .

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