The Bow Group's Role in British Politics

Abstract

Svisions political allegiance have always been more numerous. To underSstand British party system, one must understand balance of forces within parties as well as relations between them.1 unprecedented increase Conservative strength at 1959 general election emphasizes need to understand present divisions within Conservative party, subject neglected by academics.2 purpose of this article is to analyze structure and functions of Bow Group, Conservative research organization, order to assess its role British political process., Bow Group is notable because of its efforts to think out anew implications of Conservative principles society undergoing major changes, and because of its efficient organization for political work. Its achievements have elicited various conflicting evaluations. A few days after last general election (October 11, 1959) non-party London Observer could refer to that secret and unacknowledged alliance between leadership and younger progressives such as Bow Group. Bow Group describes itself as body which does not stand for any particular kind of Conservatism, but non-party Economist can refer to it as a shorthand phrase for Tory left, group with great differentiating principle separating it from Liberals or Gaitskellite wing of Labour party.4 A leading Conservative publicist, T. E. Utley, has attacked Group as hardly to be distinguished from radical liberalism and sometimes even from Socialism; he also called it misguided enemy of the sane right. 5 In 1957 Bow Group's advertising copywriters termed it Young, compact and influential . .. Pamphlets exert considerable influence on Tory thought and action; yet it can also claim to be in no sense pressure group. 6 Mr. R. A. Butler, chairman of Conservative party, has called it, with characteristic wit and ambiguity, The beehive . . . from which we obtain honey as well as an occasional sting. 7