The Unfinished Revolution: How the Modernisers Saved the Labour Party - Softcover

Gould, Philip

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0349111774 ISBN 13: 9780349111773

Publisher: Abacus, 1999

Synopsis

On 1 May 1997 a sea-change occurred in British politics. Not only had the Conservatives been comprehensively ejected from office after eighteen years in power; the Labour party which replaced them had itself changed irrevocably. Tony Blair's majority of 179 was the culmination of a long, hard struggle to modernise his party, and in so doing modernise the politics of his country. Philip Gould, one of the world's leading political strategists and polling advisers, has worked closely with the Labour leadership for eleven years, and has been a key adviser to Bill Clinton as well as a central figure in the creation of New Labour. Making full use of his unique vantage-point, Gould now describes the rise of New Labour since the dog-days of 1983 and explains how the transformation was achieved. In the process he explores the new political climate in Britain, and how the real modernisation is in old labels of 'left' and 'right' being transcended. Provocative and thought-provoking, Gould's book cuts through the shibboleths of old Labour and gives a fascinating insight into the future. It is essential reading for anyone interested in Blair's Britain.

About this title

Review

Your reaction to the words "focus group" will determine your attitude to this book. If you think they are useful tool for gauging shifts in public opinion, read on and enjoy their ultimate application. If you think they are a Machiavellian tool to provide bogus popular support for a specific agenda, read on and weep.

Philip Gould, Labour's most prominent pollster of the last 10 years, is the master of the focus group and one of the key architects of the transformation of the Labour Party. When Tony Blair announced on the steps of 10 Downing Street that "we fought as New Labour and we will govern as New Labour", it was a vindication of Gould's efforts behind the scenes. His account of the wilderness years under Foot and Kinnock are as convincingly depressing as is the vibrant exhilaration of launching the new project under Blair. 1997 was a victory for Gould's brand of, and approach to, politics. But he knows that the battle is far from over. In a call to arms for the next century--"the progressive century"--Gould claims: "It is time to heal the rift between the Liberal and Labour traditions in British politics". Expect a new rash of focus groups to agree with him. --Nick Wroe

Review

'I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the guts of this government' -- ANDREW MARR in the OBSERVER

'The most important guide to New Labour that has yet appeared' -- BRUCE ANDERSON in the SPECTATOR

Edition details

• Publisher: Abacus
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0349111774
• ISBN 13: 9780349111773
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 449