Over the last thirty years British politics has undergone something of a revolution: the collapse of class allegiance to political parties; the relative decline of the British economy; the eighteen year period of Conservative hegemony and related Labour impotence; the encroachment of control exercised by European institutions and the consequent discord among those who fear such influences; and the extraordinary emergence and enthronement in government of the Blairite New Labour Party.In addition, there have been major changes in the system of government including: a reshaped civil service; a modified Parliament; modernising political parties with changing ideologies; massive media coverage; and, under New Labour, an ambitious programme of reform.The sixth edition of this bestselling textbook, explains, analyses and interprets the changing mosaic of political life in Britain over recent decades.