ABSTRACT
Most commentators accept that political parties are an inevitable feature of liberal democracy. The introduction of OMOV gave them individual votes in leadership ballots for the first time. Sometimes the existing MP has been rewarded with a peerage for standing down shortly before an election, allowing the National Executive Committee to argue that it is too late to go through the usual selection formalities, and ensuring the eventual choice of the candidate favoured by the national leadership. The party leadership seems more impressed with the findings of non-party focus groups; indeed, it can be accused of paying more heed to the opinions of opponents than those of long-standing members who offer ideas which are at odds with the views of party leaders. It argues at least in part a reflection of liberal individualism; given their beliefs, it is unlikely that grass-roots members would remain within a party which was in the iron grip of the leadership.
