Party organizational resources

What kinds of resources do parties have at their disposal? How are these resources distributed across the organization, and how are they deployed? Are modern British parties better or less well resourced than they used to be? This chapter attempts to answer these questions by focusing, in turn, on the three main resource assets that British parties have at their disposal: members, money, and staff. Those who argue that parties are generally in decline are inclined to suggest that this is demonstrated by, among other things, the weakening of party organizations. The evidence of this chapter, however, does not support their contention. Rather, it shows that, though frequently under pressure, parties are able to adapt to changing circumstances and exploit both the old and new resources available to them.