It's difficult to say and I'd be the first to argue it is perhaps overstated as well. But based on three periods from 1800-1980, I wouldn't discount that parties are able to capitalize on events and dominate a half-century or more. Jeffersonian Dems were 180 degrees different than FDR Dems -- but it didn't stop the New Dealers from their dynasty.
Is this the result of first-past-the-post? Possibly. But one could also argue Parliamentary elections have given Conservatives about twice the time as ruling party compared to Labour in the 20th century.
It's difficult to say and I'd be the first to argue it is perhaps overstated as well. But based on three periods from 1800-1980, I wouldn't discount that parties are able to capitalize on events and dominate a half-century or more. Jeffersonian Dems were 180 degrees different than FDR Dems -- but it didn't stop the New Dealers from their dynasty.
Is this the result of first-past-the-post? Possibly. But one could also argue Parliamentary elections have given Conservatives about twice the time as ruling party compared to Labour in the 20th century.
Oh, I certainly think parties have long dominant periods.