Thirteen general elections have been held in Britain in the post-war period, from Clement Attlee's surprise sweep to power in 1945 to Margaret Thatcher's third consecutive victory in 1987. Several of these thirteen landmark events in British political history had unexpected results; all had far-reaching consequences. This book chronicles the demeanour and result of each election, and examines how much the way in which elections have been staged and fought has altered, with press conferences, advertising, opinion polls and media events transforming the electoral process. In considering these issues alongside other aspects - the law, the constituencies, the electoral system itself, voter behaviour - Dr Butler provides a useful guide to the continuities and changes which have characterized British general elections for two generations.