D. Leonard & R. Mortimore 
Elections in Britain 
A Voter’s Guide

How do British elections work? What about local elections and by-elections? How are candidates chosen? What has been the impact of changes introduced by the present government? How can an ordinary voter play his or her part? And why do so few people vote these days? Dick Leonard, a political journalist and former MP, and Roger Mortimore, an opinion pollster, cover all aspects of British elections in this updated edition of the standard work, including comprehensive tables of statistics and results.

Table of Content

Preface Introduction When Elections are Held The Voters Constituencies and the Electoral System Political Parties: National Political Parties: Local Candidates The Campaign in the Constituencies The National Campaign Polling Day By-elections, Local Elections, Euro-elections and Referendums Opinion Polls How People Vote, and Why Some Don’t How Much Does it Cost – and Who Pays for It? An Evolving System Appendices Bibliography Index

About the author

Author Dick Leonard: Dick Leonard is an historian, journalist and author and a former Labour MP. For many years he was Assistant Editor of The Economist, and headed their office in Brussels, where he was later also correspondent of The Observer. He also worked for the BBC, and contributed regularly to leading newspapers across the world. His publications include The Economist Guide to the European Union, Elections in Britain, A Century of Premiers: Salisbury to Blair; Nineteenth Century British Premiers: Pitt to Rosebery and Eighteenth Century British Premiers: Walpole to the Younger Pitt.