British By-Elections 1769–2025 The 88 By-Election Campaigns That Shaped Our Politics
By Iain Dale
A parliamentary by-election happens when a seat in the House of Commons becomes vacant between general elections, whether because the sitting MP dies, resigns, goes bankrupt, is convicted of a crime or is subject to a recall petition. By-elections can often appear to break the mould of British politics, signify the seemingly terminal decline of a particular political party or indicate the end of a premiership. Some take on iconic status or attract celebrity candidates and are remembered several decades after they take place. Others quickly disappear into the depths of our memories. As these pages will testify, however, there’s rarely a dull contest.
In this latest anthology, Iain Dale picks the most consequential by-elections of the modern era and presents a series of thoroughly researched and absorbing essays by some of our finest political writers, including Sir Vernon Bogdanor, Sir John Curtice, Simon Heffer, Julia Langdon, Lord Lexden, Andrew Marr, Tim Shipman and many others.
This remarkable book uncovers unique stories of political tragedy, triumph, success and failure, set against the backdrop of some of the most dramatic moments in British parliamentary history.
Reviews
“As the latest anthology edited by Iain Dale makes clear, by-elections are frequently enlightening and colourful affairs … This book will open the door to a world where the efforts of individual men and women to win public acceptance for their views are laid bare – the warp and weft of a democratic system in action.”
The House
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- Hardback, 752 pages
- ISBN: 9781785909788
- 18 September 2025
- £30.00
- eBook
- ISBN: 9781837360123
- 18 September 2025
- £25.00