The Case for Theoretical and Methodological Pluralism in British Political Studies: New Labour's Political Memoirs and the British Political Tradition

Abstract

This review article explores the memoirs of six major figures from the New Labour era, while also reflecting on the contribution made by this genre of memoirs and political autobiographies to the study of British politics. In so doing, it takes issue with the claim made by Rhodes that there is a tendency among political scientists in general, and UK political scientists in particular, to neglect political biographies or ‘life histories’ on the grounds that memoirs have little to offer the empirical study of politics. Contra Rhodes, the view presented here is that biography has made a tangible, yet often understated contribution to the field of political studies in Britain. We concentrate on what political biography can offer accounts that explore the complex relationship between ideas and institutions in British politics.