7th Edition

British Electoral Facts 1832-2006

By Colin Rallings, Michael Thrasher Copyright 2007

    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 1832-2006, 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 further rounds of devolution elections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; referendums and elections relating to elected mayors in London and a number of English local authorities; and the impact of the relaxation of the regulations on the issuing and casting of postal votes. To aid readers in finding their way about this increasingly complex electoral maze, this edition also - and for the first time - contains a comprehensive index. The cornerstone of any psephologist's library, British Electoral Facts 1832-2006 will also prove an invaluable reference and source book for politicians, public servants, historians, journalists, teachers and all those fascinated by the ebb and flow of electoral fortunes.

    Contents: Prefaces; Introductory notes; General Elections: General election results 1832-2005; General election summary data 1832-2005; Political parties; Electorate; Electoral administration; Boundary reviews; Members and candidates; Miscellaneous statistics. Parliamentary By-Elections: Parliamentary by-elections; Parliamentary by-election summary data. European Parliament Elections: European Parliament election results 1979-2004; European Parliament election summary data 1979-2004; Electorate and electoral administration, European Parliament elections 1979-2004; European Parliament by-election results. Elections Within the United Kingdom: General election results by region and nation 1955-2005; Elections in major urban areas;Devolution elections. Local Government Elections (GB): Local government election turnout; Councillors and council control; Elected mayors; Local government elections - miscellaneous information. Referendums: Referendums in the United Kingdom 1973-2004. Electoral Irregularities: Parliamentary electoral irregularities 1832-2006. Public Opinion Polls: Public opinion polls at general elections 1945-2005; Public opinion polls - monthly data 1945-2006; Appendix: election records and trivia; Index.

    Biography

    Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher are Professors of Politics and Directors of the Local Government Chronicle Elections Centre at the University of Plymouth, UK.

    'It is a volume that every serious student of British electoral behaviour will refer to time after time.' British Politics Group Newsletter Reviews of the Sixth Edition: ’Fred Craig, with his dedication to the exact and comprehensive recording of electoral data, has found worthy heirs in Rallings and Thrasher. No one writing about British Politics can afford to be without this gem of a reference book.’ David Butler, University of Oxford, UK ’The coverage and understanding of elections will be immeasurably enriched by this book. It is like Wisden is to cricket - a comprehensive fact book, in all its painstaking detail, of the electoral history of Britain.’ Peter Snow, BBC Television, UK ’Every responsible journalist seeking precedents on past results or on election timing or on polling day weather will find their answers here, clearly set out and impeccably accurate.’ Times Literary Supplement ’This is a very useful book...clearly, neatly and accurately assembled and presented.’ Lord Jenkins of Hillhead ’One is compelled to compliment Rallings and Thrasher...all students of British elections are indebted to them.’ British Politics Group Newsletter ’A veritable mine of information and a must for anyone who has an interest in psephology, this is a very valuable resource. Highly recommended therefore.’ Talking Politics