British General Elections Since 1964: Diversity, Dealignment, and Disillusion

This book reviews the history of British general elections since 1964, charting the changes in voters and parties at every step. By analysing all 16 elections since 1964 in their historical context, it allows readers to understand both the scale and the nature of developments in British politics over these eventful years.

Politics & Social Sciences

Denver, David

Garnett, Mark

Politics & Government

Oxford University Press

This book reviews the history of British general elections since 1964, charting the changes in voters and parties at every step. In parallel, it shows how electoral analysts have responded to these developments.This fully revised and updated edition examines the general elections of 2015, 2017, and 2019 in the context of the momentous referendums on Scottish independence (2014) and EU membership (2016), showing the impact of these votes on an electorate which has become increasingly volatile. If the earlypost-war period was marked by strong partisan loyalties, based largely on social class, in 2019 Britain seemed to have entered an age of 'identity politics' in which factors such as age and educational qualifications gave a better indication of voter allegiance. By analysing all 16 elections since1964 in their historical context, this book allows readers to understand both the scale and the nature of developments in British politics over these eventful years.

Despite a recent decline in voter turnout, British general elections are still the centrepiece of Britain's liberal democracy and their results make a real difference to every British citizen. They command strong media interest long before their dates are announced and even uneventful campaigns dominate the headlines. The 2010 general election saw the first direct televised debates between the main party leaders, adding further interest to a battle which was always likely to be close. The result was a 'hung parliament' and the first British coalition government since 1945. However, as this book shows these were only the latest manifestations of a transformation in British elections which began in the early 1960s. While some election rituals remain intact - the counting of votes by hand, the solemn declaration of individual constituency results and, most importantly, the peaceful handover of power if the incumbent party loses, almost everything of significance has changed. Voters have very different attitudes; fewer of them have party loyalties which are more than skin deep, and they tend to base their choices on 'short-term' factors such as the perceived competence of the parties and the image of the leader. The parties themselves are barely recognisable from the institutions of 1964 - not least because their membership figures have dwindled dramatically. Election campaigns are now heavily centralised, and focus obsessively on a handful of target seats.This book reviews the history of British general elections since 1964, charting the changes in voters and parties at every step. In parallel, it shows how electoral analysts have responded to these developments. The first book of its kind, it will be invaluable to readers with a general interest in British politics, as well as to undergraduate and postgraduate students of the subject.

Legal Theory & Systems

Despite a recent decline in voter turnout, British general elections are still the centrepiece of Britain's liberal democracy and their results make a real difference to every British citizen. They command strong media interest long before their dates are announced and even uneventful campaigns dominate the headlines. The 2010 general election saw the first direct televised debates between the main party leaders, adding further interest to a battle which was always likely to be close. The result was a 'hung parliament' and the first British coalition government since 1945. However, as this book shows these were only the latest manifestations of a transformation in British elections which began in the early 1960s. While some election rituals remain intact - the counting of votes by hand, the solemn declaration of individual constituency results and, most importantly, the peaceful handover of power if the incumbent party loses, almost everything of significance has changed. Voters have very different attitudes; fewer of them have party loyalties which are more than skin deep, and they tend to base their choices on 'short-term' factors such as the perceived competence of the parties and the image of the leader. The parties themselves are barely recognisable from the institutions of 1964 - not least because their membership figures have dwindled dramatically. Election campaigns are now heavily centralised, and focus obsessively on a handful of target seats. This book reviews the history of British general elections since 1964, charting the changes in voters and parties at every step. In parallel, it shows how electoral analysts have responded to these developments. The first book of its kind, it will be invaluable to readers with a general interest in British politics, as well as to undergraduate and postgraduate students of the subject.

History

Europe

This comprehensive survey of the events, people and themes that make the British who they are explores the interwoven culture, society, politics and economics of the recent past. Two hundred concise essays cover topics as diverse as pornography and the poll tax, the Blitz and New Labour. The entries offer a consistent line of argument with a refreshing disrespect for old orthodoxies; at the same time, readers are given the essential facts on which to base their own opinions.

The A-Z Guide to Modern British History

Business & Money

Weight, Richard

Economics

RANDOM HOUSE UK

In 1975, a Labor government with a wafer-thin majority was struggling in vain against rampant inflation. Trade union officials seemed more powerful than the politicians who had been elected through the democratic process, while Londoners considered themselves to be on the front line of a terrorist campaign which originated in Northern Ireland. Behind all this lay a fear of a devastating nuclear war that could break out at any time whether or not a majority of British people agreed with the cause of conflict. More than 30 years later, it is easy to see why commentators thought that Britain was becoming ungovernable” in the mid-1970s. Yet evidence suggests that the British people were happier in those days than they have been in the early years of the 21st century, as well as much more inclined to cast votes in general elections. During the 1980s Britain was certainly affected by the Thatcherite,” consumerist ethos. But on closer inspection, it turns out that Britons are just as angry” today as they were in 1975, if not more so. In this groundbreaking book, Mark Garnett charts the changes in British politics, society, and culture since 1975. This volume breaks with the traditional approach to history by addressing the reaction to change through themes like lust, greed, fear, and charity, while at the same time retaining a sense of chronological progression.

From Anger to Apathy: The British Experience Since 1975

Exploring British Politics

Exploring British Politics is a concise, comprehensive, and accessible guide to the subject. Fully updated and revised, the new edition covers developments since 2016 in the role of the executive, Parliament, the civil service, political parties, general elections, party ideology and membership, as well as examining turmoil and leadership battles within the Labour and Conservative parties, the politics of growing inequality, demographic trends and their political consequences, and the future of the UK itself. Stimulating critical analysis and lively debate, it provides new perspectives on two key themes – the health of British democracy and the transition from traditional models of government to more flexible forms of ‘governance’. 
Key features include: a comprehensive analysis of the 2019 general election, Brexit developments since the 2016 Referendum to today’s ongoing negotiations, and the shadow cast by the COVID-19 global pandemic and its implications; topical coverage of the fall of the Corbyn and May leaderships, the new Starmer and Johnson era, the rise and fall of the ‘Change UK’ party, the economic crisis, the role of special advisers, new social movements such as Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter, and much more; extensive guides to further reading at the end of each chapter; and rich illustrations visually representing examples and data. 
Whilst the book provides an essential historical background, contemporary issues are to the fore throughout and readers are encouraged to assess critically received wisdoms and develop their own thoughts and ideas. Whether studying the subject for the first time or revisiting it, Exploring British Politics is the ideal undergraduate text.

Dorey, Peter

Lynch, Philip

Routledge

Product Description 
Exploring British Politics is a concise, comprehensive, and accessible guide to the subject. Fully updated and revised, the new edition covers developments since 2016 in the role of the executive, Parliament, the civil service, political parties, general elections, party ideology and membership, as well as examining turmoil and leadership battles within the Labour and Conservative parties, the politics of growing inequality, demographic trends and their political consequences, and the future of the UK itself. Stimulating critical analysis and lively debate, it provides new perspectives on two key themes – the health of British democracy and the transition from traditional models of government to more flexible forms of ‘governance’. 
Key features include:\na comprehensive analysis of the 2019 general election, Brexit developments since the 2016 Referendum to today’s ongoing negotiations, and the shadow cast by the COVID-19 global pandemic and its implications; 
topical coverage of the fall of the Corbyn and May leaderships, the new Starmer and Johnson era, the rise and fall of the ‘Change UK’ party, the economic crisis, the role of special advisers, new social movements such as Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter, and much more; 
extensive guides to further reading at the end of each chapter; and 
rich illustrations visually representing examples and data.\nWhilst the book provides an essential historical background, contemporary issues are to the fore throughout and readers are encouraged to assess critically received wisdoms and develop their own thoughts and ideas. Whether studying the subject for the first time or revisiting it, Exploring British Politics is the ideal undergraduate text. 
 Review 
"One of the best British Politics texts on the market: comprehensive but approachable, up-to-date but historically aware, it strikes just the right balance between fine-grained analysis and sheer readability." \nTim Bale, Queen Mary University London, UK.\n"Exploring British Politics provides an authoritative and up-to-date introduction to the key institutions and processes of British politics. At a time of considerable flux and fragmentation in the UK political system, this book gives students the opportunity to explore key debates – from the role of Parliament to Britain's relationship with the European Union – that look set to shape our politics long into the future."\nPatrick Diamond, Queen Mary University London, UK. 
"This is the premier textbook of British politics available on the market today. It’s gauged appropriately for university-level students, well written, and insightful. My US-based students find the book to be interesting reading and I would not wish to teach without this most excellent of texts, which lays the foundation for my lectures brilliantly."\nHeather Mbaye, University of West Georgia, USA. \n"Exploring British Politics is pitched perfectly to both students completely new to the British political system and those who are steeped in its complexities."\nCraig Ortsey, Purdue University Fort Wayne, USA. 
"Once again, Garnett, Dorey and Lynch offer a clear and accessible introduction to some complex political issues, neatly capturing the changing landscape of British politics. This superb book remains a go-to book for all political science students."\nLouise Thompson, University of Manchester, UK.\n"This updated edition of Exploring British Politics provides a clear and thought-provoking assessment of recent developments in British politics and is an invaluable resource for both students and teachers. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of a wide range of issues and debates in Britain today."\nSamantha Wolstencroft, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. 
 About the Author 
Mark Garnett is senior lecturer, Department of Politics and International Relations, Lancaster University, UK. 
Peter Dorey is professor of British politics, School of Law and P

This is an important and innovative new text on British politics since 1970. It is designed to show in concrete terms the importance of political ideas in politics and policy-making and to demonstrate the extent to which pragmatic considerations preclude the imposition of rigid idealogical programmes. The book charts the decline of "consensus", the Conservative Party's embracing of "Thatcherism" and the drawn out struggle between socialism and social democracy in left of centre politics and the growing emergence of single issue politics such as environmentalism, feminism. The book concludes with an analysis of the Thatcherite legacy and the emergence of the "New Labour" of Tony Blair.

Principles and Politics in Contemporary Britain

Longman Pub. Group

A brief and funky guide to British Politics.

Pearson

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Books by Garnett, Mark

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Garnett, Mark. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

British General Elections Since 1964: Diversity, Dealignment, and Disillusion

British General Elections Since 1964: Diversity, Dealignment, and Disillusion

British General Elections Since 1964: Diversity, Dealignment, and Disillusion

British General Elections Since 1964: Diversity, Dealignment, and Disillusion

The A-Z Guide to Modern British History

From Anger to Apathy: The British Experience Since 1975

Exploring British Politics

Exploring British Politics

Principles and Politics in Contemporary Britain

Exploring British Politics