Preface

   This book, as its title implies, is a glossary and not a dictionary. It aims to present not only basic definitions and factual details, but also – where appropriate – outline arguments. This is especially true of the lengthier entries dealing with some issues of current controversy. However, it is not and cannot be, given the confines of space, an encyclopaedic study. The intention here is to help the readership by providing a useful explanation of the key personnel, concepts, institutions, issues and events of postwar UK politics – and in suitable cases to point them in the direction of other interesting lines of enquiry. The mere listing of the contents of such a companion guide illustrates how difficult the task of selecting items for inclusion has been. The aim is to offer information on British government and politics in the post-1945 era, with the emphasis more on the period from 1979 onwards. This is an exacting task and inevitably there will be omissions which disturb some readers. Their omission may reflect an error on my part, for which I apologise in advance. Or their absence may reflect the need to be selective – highly selective – as to what can be included in a work of this length. It is intended that the book can be a handy guide, easily accessible and manageable. Some glossaries are considerably longer and more detailed. They have their value, but their bulk in terms of size and content can detract from their utility as a quick-reference publication. The selectivity to which I refer is most evident in regard to personalities. My initial listing of people in public life with a claim to be included has been drastically reduced, for one can soon find that the number of available candidates runs into hundreds. My reduced list significantly narrowed the range of ‘possibles’, confining it to prime ministers, recent leaders of the Opposition and those at the helm of small parties. On further reflection, I have taken the view that all prime ministers of the past six decades should be represented, for often reference is made elsewhere in the text to issues and occurrences that took place during a particular premiership. Indeed, in the cases of Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, such has been the longevity of their service that many references relate to some aspect of their leadership. They are people who – when future history books are written – are likely to be seen as having presided over an era.

   Otherwise, I have concentrated on people who have figured prominently in important developments of recent decades and who – by their actions – have influenced, sometimes greatly modified, the course of events. On this basis, Neil Kinnock is included not because he was a Labour leader for several years, but rather because in the 1980s his overhaul of the image, organisation and policy of his party laid the basis for New Labour. Similarly, Peter Mandelson does not qualify by virtue of having been a Cabinet minister and later European Commissioner, but because of his notable involvement in the creation and electoral success of New Labour. Doubtless, some readers will be surprised or even irritated to find that Gerry Adams – as a Sinn Féin Member of Parliament and leader prominent in all the developments and negotiations leading up to the Good Friday Agreement and beyond – is in, whereas the current leader of the Liberal Democrats is not. The decision is no reflection on the personality or performance of the latter, but instead it reflects my wish to highlight individuals who have in some way signifi- cantly altered the course of events. Many other people, some of considerable distinction, have also been left out. Hopefully, after delving into the book and looking up particular references, you will at least appreciate the reasons for my choices, even if your own would have been different. A guide such as this can be very useful as readers peruse more specialist tomes and in so doing come across references that mean little or nothing to them. My hope is that, although the list of entries is not exhaustive, you will find more about the issue or person on which you are seeking information. In some cases, the accounts are very brief, but the crossreferences will enable you to pursue your enquiries in more detail. Where a word appears in bold, this indicates that it has its own listing within the glossary.

   From a personal point of view, I have much enjoyed contributing this glossary to the series. It has made me think carefully about the issues, events and personnel which might be regarded as significant when people examine and assess the postwar era. It has forced me to curb my natural inclination to write at length and made me concentrate on the aspects that matter most. However, I have tried to indicate how and why the various people, ideas and episodes have assumed importance and trust that enough material is included to make your use of this volume worthwhile.