A systematic study of British by-elections, examining trends in voting and analyzing the influence of specific factors such as the candidates, party organizations, the media and opinion polls. A reference section lists changes in party support in some 400 by-elections since 1945.

List of tables and diagrams; Preface; Introduction; I: Develop ments in By-elections 1945-87; Causes and functions of By-elections; By-elections 1945-66; By-elections 1966-79; By-elections 1979-1983; By-elections 1983-87; The routine fare: Knowsley North; The political earthquakes: Greenwich; II: Trends in By-election results: By-election volatility and partisan de-alignment; Retrospective theory and government performance; The impact of candidates and party organization; The role of the media and opinion polls; Abstainers, tacticals, floating voters; The comparative context: Australia and Canada; Conclusions: The volatile electorate; References and bibliography; Appendix A: Post-war By-election results; Index

`There is ... an extremely valuable appendix on postwar by-election results ... A reading of Norris's study provides a sense of perspective.' Dennis Kavanagh, Times Higher Education Supplement 'excellent study of the 1987 election ... It is helpful to have Dr Norris's overview of by-elections' Times Literary Supplement `comprehensive study' Electoral Studies `an immensely thorough analysis.' Parliamentary Affairs `a useful analysis of the events of some of the recent major contests and a detailed statistical assessment of the nature of swings.' Political Studies 'this is a good book which should find its way on to the shelves of most people reading this Newsletter' David Denver, Newsletter of the PSA specialist group on EPOP 'The time is appropriate for a thoughtful and comprehensive study of by-elections to fill vacancies in the British House of Commons. Dr Norris attempts with some success to link the changing nature of parliamentary by-elections to theories of party dealignment and realignment currently controversial among British political scientists, and also to the debate about the increased volatility of the British electorate ... generally solid, worthwhile analytical elements.' Robert Waller, Harris Research Centre, Parliamentary History, 1992