Description
Book SynopsisThe decline of the Liberal party is one of the most controversial subjects in twentieth-century British politics, and this book makes a distinctive contribution to the debate by focusing on the South West, where Liberalism remained a powerful force after 1918.
Trade Review
"A thoughtful and persuasive account of a significant part of twentieth-century Liberal history." (Journal of Liberal Democratic History, Issue 29, Winter 2000) "Tregidga has identified several persistent themes in the survival of Liberalism and makes a good case for the peculiarities of politics in the South West." (English Historical Review, Sept 2001) “Meticulously researched, sourced and argued, like all the best political histories this is a road map of social change, local and national, through the fastest shifting century of them all . . . It is a book that needed to be written, and deserves to be read.” (Western Morning News, December 5, 2000) “A well-researched work, drawing on many sources, this book is, however, not a turgid tome. It is replete with interesting detail . . . a welcome contribution to the debate about the Liberal Party’s survival in the face of a sea change in British history.” (Tavistock Times, November 23, 2000) “this study convincingly shows how grassroots agents and issues can have a transformative effect on national politics.” (Albion, Spring 2002) “a fascinating and scholarly study, ably illuminated by pertinent quotations and sharing a good grasp of region and localities.” (Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries, 2003)
Table of Contents
Contents: Politics in the provinces; keeping the faith, 1918-1929; into the wilderness, 1929-1935; advance and retreat, 1936-1945; crusade for survival, 1945-1950; towards the Promised Land, 1951-1956; the dawn of victory, 1956-1959; past to present - 1997 in context. Appendix: parliamentary representation for the south west, 1918-1997.
