Reconstructing Conservatism?

Richard Hayton is Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of Leeds

"One of British academia's most promising and prolific political scientists, Richard Hayton has undoubtedly further enhanced his rapidly growing reputation with his new book, the eminently readable and engaging Reconstructing conservatism?: The Conservative Party in Opposition, 1997-2010.""Hayton has struck a commendably judicious balance in writing this book; it enshrines a good degree of conceptual and scholarly analysis to render it attractive to academics and students of contemporary British politics, yet he writes with a sufficient clarity of expression and lucidity of explanation which could appeal to non-academic readers with an interest in current affairs and political issues.", Pete Dorey, Cardiff University, LSE Blog, 1 September 2012|This is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary conservatism and modern British politics., Andrew Crines, University of Huddersfield, Times Higher Education Supplement, 29 November 2012

• Part I: Theory and context1. Introduction: The Conservative Party and electoral failure 2. Thatcher's Legacy: late-twentieth century Conservatism in context 3. The wilderness years: leadership strategy in opposition, 1997-2005 Part II: Themes and issues4. The European question 5. National identity and the English question 6. A new moral agenda? Social Liberalism and Traditionalism 7. The political economy of twenty-first-century Conservatism Part III: Conclusions8. Reconstructed Conservatism? 'Cameronism' in context Bibliography Index