The monarchs and autocrats of north Africa and the Middle East will wish they’d read Nigel Fletcher‘s timely study of the concept of the ‘official opposition’. Had they done so they might not be facing the collapse of their political houses of cards for the want of an ‘official opposition’ to funnel the demand for change.

Fletcher reveals how remarkably cheap an official opposition has been and how the milestones in its growth have comprised struggles over offices, allowances, a car but not, definitely not, a house for the leader of the opposition. A fascinating chronicle of how these minor symbols of literal trappings of office carry the burden and symbolism of a working democracy. Ensuring there is always, at roughly six weeks’ electoral notice, ‘an alternative government’.

Impressionism or pointillism is the general pattern of opposition observed by Tim Bale. Winston Churchill was for impressionism – not too much detail, Ted Heath for pointillism with ‘Selsdon Man’. Labour’s Bennite 1983 manifesto, the ‘longest suicide note in history’, was also pointillist. And how Nick Clegg must reflect on the pointillism of Liberal Democrats specifically promising to abolish tuition fees. The latter approach does not fare well historically, so Ed Miliband’s policy clean sheet has history on its side.

The impressionism of Margaret Thatcher was, however, supported by detailed pointillism from the Centre for Policy Studies around Keith Joseph. More on the outriders in the thinktanks, the funding of parties, seats, candidates and nations and on the party conferences, which in their planning, preparation, cost and execution are cathartic points for opposition to change the weather, would make a good sequel.

An excellent study of the central importance, but the often humiliating practicalities, of opposition. Compulsory reading for Miliband’s office.

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