Sex, Lies and the Ballot Box: 50 Things You Need to Know About British Elections

Description

Have you ever wondered...- what emotions really influence where your cross goes on the ballot paper? - whether people are claiming to vote when they haven't? - which party's supporters are the kinkiest in bed? In the run-up to the most hotly contested and unpredictable election in a generation, this exhilarating read injects some life back into the world of British electoral politics. Sex, Lies and the Ballot Box sheds light on some of our more unusual voting trends, ranging from why people lie about voting to how being attractive can get you elected. Each of the fifty accessible and concise chapters, written by leading political experts, seeks to examine the broader issues surrounding voting and elections in Britain. It is not just about sexual secrets and skewed surveys: it illustrates the importance of women and ethnic minorities; explains why parties knock on your door (and why they don't); and shows how partisanship colours your views of everything, even pets. This fascinating volume covers everything you need to know (and the things you never thought you needed to know) about the bedroom habits, political untruths and voting nuances behind the upcoming election.Foreword by Daniel Finkelstein

Philip Cowley is Professor of Parliamentary Government at the University of Nottingham. His recent books include The British General Election of 2010. Robert Ford is Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of Manchester. His latest book is Revolt on the Right: Explaining Support for the Radical Right in Britain.

This book is such an utterly brilliant idea it is ridiculous that no one has thought of it before. I cannot recommend it highly enough. John Rentoul Smart, funny and illuminating in ways you could never dream of. Emily Maitlis [A] wonderful book of political well-I-nevers. The Independent For years I've toyed with writing a Freakonomics-style book that translates what political academics know - Philip Cowley and Robert Ford have beaten me to it - Worse, they and the many authors of Sex, Lies and the Ballot Box have done a good job of it. The book's 51 chapters are very wide-ranging, and full of great nuggets of information. Peter Cuthbertson, Conservative Home Sex, Lies and The Ballot Box is a revelation, a paperback with an eye-catching title and essays by 51 political scientists. Each essay is no more than 1,000 words, tells a story relevant to today's political uncertainties and is in plain English. In an age of evidence-free political punditry, this book is a superb antidote and is eminently quotable. The Times Sex, Lies & the Ballot Box is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. The Independent on Sunday Sex, Lies & The Ballot Box is a terrific book. Academic writing about politics is often virtually incomprehensible . but Philip Cowley and Robert Ford, the editors, have persuaded dozens of leading academics to present their findings clearly and concisely, in short essays. Anyone interested in voting and elections would find it enlightening. Guardian Blog It does it with such aplomb that no political home's Christmas tree should be without a copy neatly wrapped and waiting beneath it. Progress This knits academic research with accessible and thought-provoking questions. If you love elections you'll be hooked. Mail on Sunday Independent Politics Books of the Year 2014, a series of fun essays. The Independent A terrific book - Anyone interested in voting and elections would find it enlightening. If I could make it compulsory reading for people who follow my blog, I would - Guardian "Freakonomics for political junkies. The perfect book for anyone with even a passing interest in politics" Express. "If you want to know why people lie about voting, when racism stopped being normal, and whether attractive candidates get more votes then this is most definitely the book for you." Lib Dem Voice