34: The Conservative Party in Wales: Dr Sam Blaxland

Wales is often seen as one of the most anti-Conservative parts of Britain, with a strongly working-class Labour tradition. But in the postwar period the Conservative Party has remained the second party of Wales in electoral terms. In this episode Nigel talks to Dr Sam Blaxland, author of a new book charting the history of the Conservative Party in Wales 1945-1997. The story is a more nuanced than is often presumed, with some surprising results in elections during the period. Why have the Conservatives remained the main opposition to Labour in Wales, and with the next election looming, how secure is this position? Produced by the Centre for Opposition Studies Presented by Dr Nigel Fletcher Theme music by Tom Hector