The People and the Party System: The Referendum and Electoral Reform in British PoliticsThis book offers a comprehensive critique of the historical debate on the referendum and electoral reform in British politics from the nineteenth century to 1981. The book falls into two parts. First, the role of the referendum in political debate since the beginning of the century is discussed and a detailed analysis of the referendums of the 1970s is presented. Vernon Bogdanor then clarifies both the benefits and the difficulties involved in the wider use of the referendum. In the second part of the book, he examines proposals for electoral reform since 1830 and considers the attitudes of the parties towards it today. The different forms of proportional representation are discussed and the consequences of adopting them in Britain assessed. The People and the Party System is written in clear, non-technical language and is intended for the general reader. It makes an important contribution to a vital debate and will be of interest to all those concerned with British politics. |
Contents
Preface page | 1 |
The referendum and the constitution | 67 |
Proportional representation 18311979 | 95 |
The case for electoral reform | 175 |
Alternative electoral systems | 207 |
Conclusion | 259 |
| 274 | |
Other editions - View all
The People and the Party System: The Referendum and Electoral Reform in ... Vernon Bogdanor No preview available - 1981 |
The People and the Party System: The Referendum and Electoral Reform in ... Vernon Bogdanor No preview available - 1981 |
Common terms and phrases
40 per cent accept additional member system advocates alternative vote argued Balfour believed Bill Britain British politics Bundestag candidates CDU/CSU claimed co-operation Conference Conservative Party constitutional cumulative vote debate defeat democracy democratic devolution Dicey dominated effect election electoral reform electoral system ensure European Assembly favour Fianna Fáil Fine Gael Gael Gladstone H. C. Debs Hare's Heath Home Rule House of Commons ibid initiative Irish issue Labour Government Labour Party leaders legislation legislature Lib-Lab Pact Liberal Party Lloyd George mandate ment minority Moreover National Northern Ireland opinion organisation overall majority Parliament parliamentary party system plurality system political parties politicians poll popular programme proportional representation proposed radical referen referendum representative result Scotland Scotland Act Scotland and Wales Scottish seats secure single transferable vote single-member social Strachey Tariff Reform tion turnout Unionist Free Traders voters West German West German system