Wilson, David J. (David Jack) (1974) Regional organisation in the Conservative and Labour parties. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This study examines a hitherto neglected dimension of party organisation In Britain: the Conservative Party's area organisation and the Labour Party's regional structure. It is designed to extend our knowledge of party organisation by providing a detailed analysis of activity at this intermediate organisational level, which lies between the respective national party machines on the one hand and constituency associations on the other. Research into regional and area organisation clarifies the nature and extent of centralisation in the Conservative and Labour Parties.

The thesis argues that both the Conservative and Labour Parties established regional organising unite primarily for reasons of political and administrative expediency. This pragmatism has characterised the subsequent evolution of regional and area machinery. Regional and area organisers act as the field administrative agents of their respective head offices. They spend much of their time working at the constituency and city party levels but have little formal authority; they must, in general, rely on informal influence to achieve their objectives. They cannot act as centralising agents for their parties because although their own relationship with the centre is tightly controlled, they themselves lack authority at the local level. There is no chain of command from the respective party leaderships to constituency and branch levels via regional and area organisers. The chain of command from the centre ends at the regional level.

The democratic party structure at the regional and area level is largely dominated by the professional organisers in both parties although Conservative area chairmen can be figures of some importance. A case study of the 1970 General Election provides a detailed analysis of the work undertaken by regional and area staff. There is also a discussion of the different organisational emphases stemming from the Conservative Party's greater professionalism at the constituency level. It is argued that while the Labour Party clearly requires its regional network the Conservative Party's need for an extensive area structure is questionable.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	J Political Science > JF Political institutions (General) J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) > JN101 Great Britain
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 20th century, Political party organization -- Great Britain, Politics, Practical -- Great Britain, Conservative Party (Great Britain) -- History -- 20th century, Labour Party (Great Britain) -- History -- 20th century
Official Date:	1974
Dates:	Date Event 1974 UNSPECIFIED
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Politics and International Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Bulpitt, Jim
Extent:	312 leaves
Language:	eng

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