Using information from the UK elections, and scholarship, this title shows how voters and parties are affected by, and seek to influence, both national and local forces. It places the analysis of electoral behaviour into its geographical context. Illustrated with figures and tables, it also reports on research findings.

Why do people living in different areas vote in different ways? Why does this change over time? How do people talk about politics with friends and neighbours, and with what effect? Does the geography of well-being influence the geography of party support? Do parties try to talk to all voters at election time, or are they interested only in the views of a small number of voters living in a small number of seats? Is electoral participation in decline, and how does the geography of the vote affect this? How can a party win a majority of seats in Parliament without a majority of votes in the country? Putting Voters in their Place explores these questions by placing the analysis of electoral behaviour into its geographical context. Using information from the latest elections, including the 2005 General Election, the book shows how both voters and parties are affected by, and seek to influence, both national and local forces. Trends are set in the context of the latest research and scholarship on electoral behaviour. The book also reports on new research findings.

Introduction
1. Models of voting
2. Bringing geography in
3. The geography of voting: regions, places, and neighbourhoods
4. Talking together and voting together
5. The local economy and the local voter
6. Party campaigns and their impact
7. The growing problem of turnout
8. Votes into seats
Bibliography
Index