Electoral Change Since 1945ISBN: 978-0-631-16715-0
Hardcover
256 pages
January 1997, Wiley-Blackwell
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This book explores the nature of electoral change in Britain during
the last half century. The period from 1945-70 was the classic era
of two-party dominance at every level of British politics: at
Westminster, county hall, and in the electorate. Since the early
seventies Conservative and Labour hegemony has remained virtually
unaltered in Parliament, but their grip has been loosened in local
government, and the popular foundations of the two-party system
have been eroded among voters.
Why has Britain evolved from a dominant to a declining two-party system during the last fifty years? This study considers alternative explanations for these developments, focusing on changes in voters, parties, and political communications.
The book provides students with a fresh and accessible perspective on theories of electoral change, placing developments in Britain within their broader comparative context, and challenging many conventional assumptions about trends in voting behaviour.