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Palgrave Macmillan

Leaders of the Opposition

From Churchill to Cameron

  • Book
  • © 2012

Overview

Editors:
  1. Timothy Heppell

    1. School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), University of Leeds, UK

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Table of contents (18 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Introduction

    • Timothy Heppell
    Pages 1-6

  3. Winston Churchill, 1945–51

    • Kevin Theakston
    Pages 7-19

  4. Clement Attlee, 1951–5

    • Victoria Honeyman, Timothy Heppell
    Pages 20-32

  5. Hugh Gaitskell, 1955–63

    • Timothy Heppell
    Pages 33-47

  6. Harold Wilson, 1963–4 and 1970–4

    • Peter Dorey
    Pages 48-67

  7. Alec Douglas-Home, 1964–5

    • Michael Hill
    Pages 68-79

  8. Edward Heath, 1965–70 and 1974–5

    • Mark Garnett
    Pages 80-96

  9. Margaret Thatcher, 1975–9

    • Philip Norton
    Pages 97-108

  10. James Callaghan, 1979–80

    • Stephen Meredith
    Pages 109-125

  11. Michael Foot, 1980–3

    • Ed Gouge
    Pages 126-141

  12. Neil Kinnock, 1983–92

    • Simon Griffiths
    Pages 142-154

  13. John Smith, 1992–4

    • Mark Stuart
    Pages 155-167

  14. Tony Blair, 1994–7

    • Stuart McAnulla
    Pages 168-183

  15. William Hague, 1997–2001

    • Nigel Fletcher
    Pages 184-195

  16. Iain Duncan Smith, 2001–3

    • Richard Hayton
    Pages 196-209

  17. Michael Howard, 2003–5

    • Mark Garnett
    Pages 210-221

  18. David Cameron, 2005–10

    • Tim Bale
    Pages 222-236

  19. Conclusion

    • Timothy Heppell
    Pages 237-250

  20. Back Matter

    Pages 251-273
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Keywords

About this book

Timothy Heppell brings together a renowned group of contributors to consider the role of the Leader of the Opposition in British Politics. The book argues that the neglect of opposition studies needs to be addressed, especially given the increasing importance attached to the performance the Leader of the Opposition in the British political system.

Reviews

'Opposition leaders matter, but are understudied. Studying opposition leaders allows key lessons to be learnt about the nature of British democracy and representation. However, it is all too easy for scholarly attention to fall on Prime Ministers and ignore their opponent at the dispatch-box. This edited collection provides excellent critical assessments on post-war opposition leaders from Churchill to Cameron with chapters written by authoritative experts in the field. It is a significant advancement for studies of the opposition, and a key book for students and scholars of British politics.'

- Toby S. James, Lecturer in Politics, University of Swansea

'Leaders of the Opposition is an important book. It goes some considerable way to answering the question of why Leader of the Opposition is the hardest job in British politics. The book is firmly set within the context of a changed political environment, one in which leadership dynamics matter and failure is not an option. Expertly marshalled by Dr Tim Heppell, an impressive cast of contributors view opposition leaders from Churchill to Cameron against established political leadership criteria. This edited book fulfils many functions: it is a critical analysis of an under-researched position in British politics, it is a valuable contribution to understanding contemporary political leadership and it is a handbook for those contemplating the hardest job. Above all though it is a great read for students and academics.'

- Mark Bennister, Lecturer in Politics, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK

Editors and Affiliations

  • School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), University of Leeds, UK

    Timothy Heppell

About the editor

TIM BALE Professor of Politics in the Department of Politics and Contemporary European Studies at Sussex University, UK PETER DOREY Reader in British Politics in the School of European Studies at the University of Cardiff, UK NIGEL FLETCHER Founder and Chairman of the Centre for Opposition Studies, UK MARK GARNETT Lecturer in British Politics in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Lancaster, UK ED GOUGE Senior Teaching Fellow in the School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) at the University of Leeds, UK SIMON GRIFFITHS Lecturer in British Politics in the Department of Politics at Goldsmiths, University of London, UK, and Senior Research Fellow at the Social Market Foundation RICHARD HAYTON Senior Lecturer in Politics in the Division of Criminology, Politics and Sociology at the University of Huddersfield, UK MICHAEL HILL Lecturer in British Politics in the Department of Education and Social Sciences at the University of Central Lancashire, UK VICTORIA HONEYMAN Lecturer in British Politics in the School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) at the University of Leeds, UK STUART MCANULLA Lecturer in British Politics in the School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) at the University of Leeds, UK STEPHEN MEREDITH Principal Lecturer in British Politics in the Department of Education and Social Sciences at the University of Central Lancashire, UK LORD PHILIP NORTON Professor of British Politics and Director of Centre for Legislative Studies, within the Department of Politics and International Studies at the University of Hull, UK MARK STUART Research Fellow in the School of Politics and International Relations at the University of Nottingham, UK KEVIN THEAKSTON Professor of British Government in the School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) at the University of Leeds, UK

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