Stuart Mitchell completed his doctoral thesis at the Open University in 2004. In the past twelve years, he has taught modern history at a number of universities and colleges. At present, he is an associate lecturer and course consultant for the Open University in London.

"The remarkable electoral record of the Conservative Party in the Twentieth Century has not been matched by a corresponding level of academic interest. This relative neglect has left important gaps in our knowledge of post-war British political history. For example, the governments of Harold Macmillan and Alec Douglas-Home (1957-64) are often misunderstood. Popular memories of this period are dominated by the Profumo Affair and the satire boom of the early 1960s, which gave the impression of a Conservative Party which was out of touch with social change. Stuart Mitchell's important study will help to revise this dominant impression. Drawing on all the main primary sources, he shows that the Conservatives were accutely aware of the challenges of modernity. Indeed, many of their problems arose from their various attempts to adapt to social and economic change. Mitchell presents an engrossing account of the struggle between 'modernisers' and more traditional figures within the party. This gives his book considerable topical relevance, in addition to its merits as a well-researched contribution to political history."Dr. Mark Garnett, Research Fellow, University of Leicester"This is an important study which speaks both to the study of the past and debates on the present. It fills a gap in literature on the history of the post-war Conservative party, but should also be read by those engaged in, or commentating on, present day developments in David Cameron's Conservative Party."Dr. Richard GraysonLecturer in British PoliticsGoldsmiths College, University of London"A learned and well written account. Timely." Dr. Anthony SeldonFounding Director of the Institute of Contemporary British History

Stuart Mitchell completed his doctoral thesis at the Open University in 2004. In the past twelve years, he has taught modern history at a number of universities and colleges. At present, he is an associate lecturer and course consultant for the Open University in London.

"The remarkable electoral record of the Conservative Party in the Twentieth Century has not been matched by a corresponding level of academic interest. This relative neglect has left important gaps in our knowledge of post-war British political history. For example, the governments of Harold Macmillan and Alec Douglas-Home (1957-64) are often misunderstood. Popular memories of this period are dominated by the Profumo Affair and the satire boom of the early 1960s, which gave the impression of a Conservative Party which was out of touch with social change. Stuart Mitchell's important study will help to revise this dominant impression. Drawing on all the main primary sources, he shows that the Conservatives were accutely aware of the challenges of modernity. Indeed, many of their problems arose from their various attempts to adapt to social and economic change. Mitchell presents an engrossing account of the struggle between 'modernisers' and more traditional figures within the party. This gives his book considerable topical relevance, in addition to its merits as a well-researched contribution to political history."Dr. Mark Garnett, Research Fellow, University of Leicester"This is an important study which speaks both to the study of the past and debates on the present. It fills a gap in literature on the history of the post-war Conservative party, but should also be read by those engaged in, or commentating on, present day developments in David Cameron's Conservative Party."Dr. Richard GraysonLecturer in British PoliticsGoldsmiths College, University of London"A learned and well written account. Timely." Dr. Anthony SeldonFounding Director of the Institute of Contemporary British History