Exploring the historical context, the structure and method of operation, Local Elections in Britain clearly addresses the key issues and confusions that surround the local election system including:
* the nature and extent of electoral participation including the crucial issue of low turnout
* the candidates, and the growing proportion of women challenging for council seats
* the performance of political parties, now a central feature of local elections
* the dangers of viewing local elections as national opinion polls
Drawing on the results of more than 100,000 local...

The seventh edition of this unique and authoritative guide to more than 170 years of political history reflects the rapid and continuing change in the electoral landscape of the United Kingdom. Covering the period 1832a 2006, it gives easy access to a myriad of facts and figures on all 44 General Elections, six European Parliament elections and more than 3,700 parliamentary by-elections that have taken place in the United Kingdom since the Great Reform Act. It also contains a considerable array of opinion poll data for both Great Britain and Scotland. Significant new information includes...