Contains letter books of Desk Officers (later Subject Specialists) catalogued under their names, with a summary given where possible of the policy areas that they covered.
Dates
- c.1930s-1990
Extent
709 shelfmarks
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access
General access conditions apply to this material.
Conditions Governing Access
General access conditions apply to this material
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries, Conservative Party Archive [followed by shelfmark, e.g. CRD/L/1/1/1].
Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.
Full range of shelfmarks:
CRD/L/1-5
Collection ID (for staff)
CPA CRDL
Overview
Conservative Research Department: Letter books of Desk Officers/Subject Specialists, c.1930s-1987
Biographical / Historical
The Conservative Research Department (CRD) was established in November 1929 and rapidly assumed a position of considerable importance in the Party's policy-making process. It advises Party leaders on the formulation of policy, undertakes detailed, long-term research on a wide range of issues, provides authoritative briefs to MPs in preparation for Parliamentary debates, plays a major role in the writing of Party publications and the vetting of Party publicity, and analyses public opinion trends in order to advise the leadership on electoral strategy. CRD personnel were also responsible for servicing Party committees and policy groups by minute-taking. Consequently the records of the CRD include papers from these various groups and committees.
The CRD played a crucial role in the regeneration of the Party after the defeat of 1945, and again during the period in opposition after 1964, although it was to some extent overshadowed by the think-tank the Centre for Policy Studies in the period of opposition between 1975-1979. By 1980, the CRD had been divided into four sections, which have remained roughly the same since: the Economic Section, Home Affairs Section, Politicial (and Consitutional) Section, and International Section. Although CRD Desk Officers (later known as Subject Specialists) could be expected to change desks during their period of service in order to widen their experience, they would bear primary responsibility for a limited area of policy, which normally corresponded to a Government Department, and would work closely with the relevant Conservative Minister, Shadow Minister or Front Bench spokesman.
Although its importance fluctuates according to the particular concerns of the Party Leader, the CRD has always been, and remains, one of the central departments in Party organisation. Since 1979 the Conservative Research Department has been contained, organisationally and physically, within the Conservative Central Office. Before that, however, it was a separate body, housed separately and, for much of its life, organisationally independent also, with its own chairman and director. For this reason its papers have been catalogued separately from those of Central Office.
The CRD played a crucial role in the regeneration of the Party after the defeat of 1945, and again during the period in opposition after 1964, although it was to some extent overshadowed by the think-tank the Centre for Policy Studies in the period of opposition between 1975-1979. By 1980, the CRD had been divided into four sections, which have remained roughly the same since: the Economic Section, Home Affairs Section, Politicial (and Consitutional) Section, and International Section. Although CRD Desk Officers (later known as Subject Specialists) could be expected to change desks during their period of service in order to widen their experience, they would bear primary responsibility for a limited area of policy, which normally corresponded to a Government Department, and would work closely with the relevant Conservative Minister, Shadow Minister or Front Bench spokesman.
Although its importance fluctuates according to the particular concerns of the Party Leader, the CRD has always been, and remains, one of the central departments in Party organisation. Since 1979 the Conservative Research Department has been contained, organisationally and physically, within the Conservative Central Office. Before that, however, it was a separate body, housed separately and, for much of its life, organisationally independent also, with its own chairman and director. For this reason its papers have been catalogued separately from those of Central Office.
Custodial History
The Conservative Party Archive (CPA) was established as a source for academic study at the Bodleian Library in 1978 by an agreement made between the University of Oxford and the Conservative Party, and brought together surviving historic papers of the Party previously held in various locations including Newcastle University Library and the former Conservative Central Office in Smith Square, London. Since 1996, ownership and financial responsibility for the CPA has been vested in the Conservative Party Archive Trust. The CPA preserves the records of all three areas of Party organisation: parliamentary, voluntary and professional. It is recognised by the Conservative Party as the official repository for its historic records and those of affiliated organisations, and receives new material on a regular basis.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Conservative Party.
- Title
- Conservative Party Archive: Conservative Research Department
- Status
- In_process
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Jeremy McIlwaine and Liz McCarthy
- Date
- 2011
- Language of description
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk