A History of the Conservative Party
2 total works
After his 1867 reform act has established a 'democratic' franchise in the boroughs, Disraeli's attempts to reconcile the elements of what became known as Tory Democracy were judged by most contemporary Conservatives as at best risky and at worst a betrayal - yet the party triumphantly, if painfully, adapted. This long-awaited contribution to the histroy shows us, behind Disraeli's vain attempt to preserve aristiocratic politics in an age of popular franchise, the formative beginnings of suburban Conservatism that was to make the fortune of the party.
Richard Shannon provides a magisterial account of the fortunes of the Conservative party after the death of Disraeli, tracing the changes in party thinking and organization under the pressures of the newly expanded electorate. The rise of Lord Salisbury is thoroughly examined together with the demands of empire, the problems of Home Rule and the Unionist alliance.