Katharine Dommett

The theory and practice of party modernisation: The conservative party under David Cameron, 2005-2015

As the contributions to this special issue each demonstrate, modernisation is a slippery word. Although commonly used in political rhetoric, it is often unclear exactly what is meant by the term, or how successful modernisation can be discerned. This article reflects on the theory and practice of Conservative modernisation to cast some light on these issues. Exploring the party’s modernisation from 2005 to 2015 it is argued that modernisation can occur at different levels. Using the notion of micro, meso and macro level modernisation, it is argued that Conservative modernisation was pursued at the micro and meso levels but was derailed by events that altered party strategy. As such this article judges that David Cameron did not successfully modernise his party and, utilising this case, examines the challenges of delivering modernising change more broadly.

Opening the Black Box of Administrative Reform: A Strategic-Relational Analysis of Agency Responses to Termination Threats

ABSTRACT How do public agencies respond when reform proposals threaten downsizing, reduction in functions, or termination? Agency survival during administrative reform is conventionally explained by structural characteristics, informed by the hardwiring thesis derived from the politics of the U.S. federal government. Parliamentary systems provide greater opportunity for agency reform, but there is little evidence of how agencies respond to such proposals or how proposals are altered prior to decision. We consider agencies as active participants in the reform processes, using strategic-relational theory to analyse their strategizing. The article employs detailed empirical evidence on 12 agencies subject to reform by the UK government between 2010 and 2013. We identify three archetypical defence strategies—technical expert, network node, and marginal adaptor—and argue that coding agency strategies alongside structural analysis can help better explain reform outcomes.

Bonfires and Barbecues: Coalition Governance and the Politics of Quango Reform

The use of arms-length bodies to deliver certain services, to regulate certain sectors or to assume responsibility for particularly salient political issues is neither new in historical terms or a feature unique to the UK in comparative terms. What is particularly distinctive, however, is the Coalition Governments attempts since 2010 to reduce the number of ‘quangos’ while also strengthening the capacity of the core executive and sponsor departments to control and co-ordinate this dense and fragmented sphere of delegated governance. Drawing upon the findings of the first research project to analyse the current Public Bodies Reform Agenda, this article provides an account of the ‘filling-in’ of the ‘hollowing out’. It argues that when viewed through a historical lens, the Coalition Government has adopted a distinctive approach to ‘the quango problem’.

Gap Analysis: Participatory Democracy, Public Expectations and Community Assemblies in Sheffield

Abstract This article offers an argument of almost primitive simplicity: politics tends to promise too much and deliver too little. In order to substantiate this argument this article presents the results of the first attempt to analyse an experiment with participatory democracy through the lens of ‘gap analysis’. This approach focuses attention on the creation, management and fulfilment of public expectations vis-à-vis products, services or experiences. In a historical period in which the fiscal and social resources of democratic politics are severely limited the argument and empirical research set out in this article offer valuable insights for scholars and practitioners of politics and public policy. Central amongst these is the suggestion that responding to unprecedented levels of anti-political sentiment is likely to demand that politicians pay more attention to the management of public expectations (i.e. demand) and less on how to maximise political outputs in terms of public services (i.e. supply).

Did they ‘Read before burning’? The Coalition and quangos

Attitudes to quangos are paradoxical. On the one hand they are perceived to be undemocratic, unaccountable organisations, while on the other they are seen to improve effectiveness, limit political interference and increase public confidence in government. This paradox is reflected in the behaviour of political parties, which generally adopt a harsh line towards quangos in opposition, but come to rely on these bodies in office. Ahead of the 2010 general election it was, however, noticeable that the Conservative party rejected this dynamic by promising to pursue ‘a more sophisticated approach’. This article explores the Coalition governments subsequent ‘public bodies reform programme’, assessing its progress against recommendations contained within the Institute for Governments Read before Burning report of July 2010. It concludes that while the Coalition has addressed long-standing concerns about the day-to-day governance of public bodies, it has failed to resolve a set of broader and strategic (metagovernance) issues.

A Recipe for Impact? Exploring Knowledge Requirements in the UK Parliament and Beyond.

In the context of ongoing debates around academic engagements with policymakers, this article discusses how academics can successfully engage with the often overlooked institution of Parliament. We argue that the UK Parliament is not a homogeneous organisation but has differing knowledge requirements for different parliamentary sites. While there are common barriers that need to be overcome by researchers, there is no universal recipe that will ensure successful research impact. We argue that there are different forms of engagement likely to lead to influence, and that co-production is the most important way by which academics can engage with Parliament.

Ideological Quietism? Ideology and Party Politics in Britain

Ideology and political parties are frequently depicted as disparate entities, with scholars citing a range of exogenous and endogenous changes to demonstrate the decreasing relevance of ideology to party politics. This article moves away from such accounts by looking at the role of actors, and specifically party leaders, in contributing to perceptions of ideological decline. Through an examination of the rhetoric of Labour and Conservative Party leaders in Britain between 1946 and 1997, this article contends that politicians have engaged in, what is termed here, ‘ideological quietism’. In this sense, parties have not abandoned ideology but have made rhetorical shifts indicative of ideological decline.

Rhetoric and Party Politics — Looking Beyond the Leader

In recent history parties are perceived to have become less ideological. In the place of grand visions parties are increasingly seen to be preoccupied with electoral victory, focusing not on ideas but on aligning their messages with the views of swing voters. And yet ideology remains a pivotal component of politics, with parties continuing to debate, contest and advance ideational visions for society. While seemingly incommensurate these two trends are reconcilable — although parties continue to be ideological, their public image often emphasises competence and pragmatism, suppressing the ideological indicators by which party identity can be discerned. In seeking to monitor party ideology it therefore becomes necessary to direct attention to party rhetoric and the ‘partisan agendas and desires’ it contains (Fish, 1989, p. 474).

Post-Democratic Party Politics

In recent years many scholars have diagnosed a crisis of party politics. This article considers recent changes in the UK and Europe that appear to challenge this idea. Exploring Colin Crouch’s notion of ‘post-democratic’ party politics and considering his diagnosis of shifts in parties’ agenda setting, organisation and communication, the article considers evidence of post-democratic politics and the possibility for future renewal.

Quango reform: The next steps?

The coalition government elected in 2010 in the UK pursued a programme of quango reform focused on reducing the number and expenditure of arm’s-length bodies, increasing transparency, improving accountability and maximizing efficiency and effectiveness. This paper revisits Flinders and Skelcher’s 2012 PMM paper ‘Shrinking the quango state: five challenges in reforming quangos’ to assess progress to date and consider future challenges. Drawing insights from the UK programme of quango reform, as well as similar developments in Ireland, the authors identify five new challenges for governments: regulating, managing, reconciling, co-ordinating and reflecting.