A systematic study of British by-elections, examining trends in voting and analyzing the influence of specific factors such as the candidates, party organizations, the media and opinion polls. A reference section lists changes in party support in some 400 by-elections since 1945.

Finally there is an essential reference section listing changes in party support in almost four hundred British by-elections since 1945.

List of tables and diagrams
Preface
Introduction
I: Develop ments in By-elections 1945-87
Causes and functions of By-elections
By-elections 1945-66
By-elections 1966-79
By-elections 1979-1983
By-elections 1983-87
The routine fare: Knowsley North
The political earthquakes: Greenwich
II: Trends in By-election results: By-election volatility and partisan de-alignment
Retrospective theory and government performance
The impact of candidates and party organization
The role of the media and opinion polls
Abstainers, tacticals, floating voters
The comparative context: Australia and Canada
Conclusions: The volatile electorate
References and bibliography
Appendix A: Post-war By-election results
Index