The Conservative Nation Redivivus?

Norton, Philip

Abstract

This article addresses the relationship between Andrew Gamble's study of the Conservative nation and his more recent advocacy of a social democratic constitution. It argues that the former—the nature of the Conservative Party, mobilising support successfully—may serve to prevent the realisation of the latter, the Conservative view of the constitution prevailing over pressures for a new constitutional settlement for the United Kingdom. Whereas the analysis of the Conservative nation is grounded in, and can only be understood by reference to, an appreciation of political realities, the approach to constitutional change embraced by Gamble is largely apolitical, concerned primarily with ends to the neglect of means.

Citation

Norton, P. (2021). The Conservative Nation Redivivus?. The Political quarterly, 92(3), 420-427. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-923X.13007

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 6, 2021
• Online Publication Date: May 19, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Deposit Date: May 19, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: May 20, 2022
• Journal: Political Quarterly
• Print ISSN: 0032-3179
• Electronic ISSN: 1467-923X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 92
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 420-427
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-923X.13007
• Keywords: Conservative nation; Conservative Party; Constitution; Social democracy
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3772182