Conservative Party Members: Speaking of Membership

Party membership is a key campaign resource for UK political parties but the later part of the twentieth century has seen a general trend of declining membership, particularly for the Conservative party. The Conservative party’s ability to draw on an extensive supply of voluntary workers has been a vital element in securing power and dominating British politics during the twentieth century. This dissertation explores the extent to which the fate of the Conservative party is bound to its ability to muster a large volunteer army. By talking to current members about their experiences of serving in the party ranks, this dissertation seeks to understand some of the changing patterns in Conservative membership and any consequent impact on the Conservatives’ place in the British political system.