Footsoldiers: Political Party Membership in the 21st Century

<p>This accessible rigorously researched and highly revealing book lifts the lid on political party membership. It represents the first in-depth study of six of the UK's biggest parties – Labour the Conservatives the Scottish National Party the Liberal Democrats UK Independence Party and the Greens – carried out simultaneously thereby providing invaluable new insights into members' social characteristics attitudes activities and campaigning reasons for joining and leaving and views on how their parties should be run and who should represent them. In short at a time of great pressure on and change across parties this book helps us discover not only what members want out of their parties but what parties want out of their members.</p><p>This text is essential reading for those interested in political parties party membership elections and campaigning representation and political participation be they scholars and students of British and comparative politics or politicians journalists and party members – in short anyone who cares about the future of representative democracy.</p>