This book investigates the demographic composition and political ideology of the British Conservative Party's grassroots membership to determine their actual influence on the party system. The authors, Jeremy J. Richardson, Patrick Seyd, and Paul F. Whiteley, utilize original survey data to analyze the social and political profiles of party activists. By examining these members, the text challenges prevailing stereotypes of the Conservative base as politically irrelevant extremists and instead positions them as essential contributors to the stability of democratic institutions.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational study for understanding the internal dynamics of the British Conservative Party during the late twentieth century. Scholars frequently cite the text for its rigorous use of survey data to demystify the political identity of party members.