The Conservative Parliamentary Elite 1964-1994: The End of Social Convergence?

Abstract

The convergence of a widening social base in the Parliamentary Conservative Party with an increasingly middle class Parliamentary Labour Party has been a persistent observation of postwar élite studies. Claims are frequently made that the Thatcher and Major years have produced a more `classless' Conservative élite. On the basis of new research, it is demonstrated that members of the socio-educational élite continue to enjoy vastly disproportionate access to Conservative parliamentary seats; that they enjoy even more disproportionate access to safe seats; and that they continue to enjoy still more disproportionate access to office in Conservative governments. Furthermore, in the last decade long-term trends to social convergence have gone into reverse.

Keywords

Conservatives élites cohorts parliament elections safe seats

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Baker, D. , Gamble, A. and Ludlam, S. 1992a. `More “Classless” and Less “Thatcherite”? Conservative MPs and Ministers after the 1992 Election'. Parliamentary Affairs 45:656-668.

Baker, D. , Gamble, A. and Ludlam, S. 1992b. `Conservative MPs: A Response'. Sociology 26,4:695-697.

Baker, D. , Gamble, A. and Ludlam, S. 1993. `1846... 1906... 1996: Conservative Splits and European Integration'. Political Quarterly 64:420-434.

Baker, D. , Gamble, A. and Ludlam, S. 1994. `Mapping Conservative Fault Lines: Problems of Typology', in P. Dunleavy and J. Stayner (eds.), Contemporary Political Studies 1994. Exeter: Political Studies Association.

Berrington, H. B. 1973. Backbench Opinion in the House of Commons 1945-55. Oxford: Pergamon.

Borthwick, G. , Ellingworth, D. , Bell, C. and Mackenzie, D. 1991. `Research Note: The Social Background of British MPs'. Sociology 25:713-717.

Burch, M. and Moran, M. 1985. `The Changing British Political Elite, 1945-83'. Parliamentary Affairs 38:1-15.

Crewe, I. 1974. `Introduction' in I. Crewe (ed.) British Political Sociology Year Book: Elites in Western Democracy. London: Croom Helm.

Crewe, I. and Searing, D. 1988. `Ideological Change in the British Conservative Party'. American Political Science Review 82:361-384.

10.

Finer, S. , Berrington, H. B. and Bartholomew, D. J. 1961. Backbench Opinion in the House of Commons, 1955-59. Oxford: Pergamon.

11.

Guttsman, W. L. 1967. The British Political Elite. London: Macmillan.

12.

Haxey, N. 1939. Tory MP. London: Gollancz.

13.

King, A. 1981. `The Rise of the Career Politician in Britain - and its Consequences'. British Journal of Political Science 11:249-263.

14.

Marsh, D. and Read, M. 1988. Private Members' Bills. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

15.

McLean, I. 1992. `The Political Economy of Regulation: Interests, Ideology, Votes, and the UK Regulation of Railways Act 1844'. Public Administration 70:313-331.

16.

Mellors, C. 1978. The British MP: a Socio-Economic Study of the House of Commons. Farnborough: Saxon House.

17.

Norris, P. and Lovenduski, J. 1995. Political Recruitment: Gender, Race and Class in the British Parliament. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

18.

Norton, P. 1975. Dissension in the House of Commons: Intra-Party Dissent in the House of Commons Division Lobbies 1945-74. London: Macmillan.

19.

Norton, P. 1980. Dissension in the House of Commons 1974-79. Oxford: Clarendon.

20.

Norton, P. 1990a. ` “The Lady's Not for Turning” But What About the Rest? Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative Party 1979-89'. Parliamentary Affairs 43: 41-58.

21.

Ross, J. F. S. 1948. Parliamentary Representation. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode.

22.

Scott, J. 1991. Who Rules Britain?. Oxford: Polity.

23.

Thomas, J. A. 1958. The House of Commons, 1906-1911. Cardiff: University of Wales Press.

24.

Westergaard, J. and Resler, H. 1976. Class in a Capitalist Society. Harmondsworth: Penguin.