This book investigates the structural transformation of British electoral behavior and the diminishing influence of social class on party alignment between 1964 and 1983. Mark N. Franklin, a scholar of comparative politics, utilizes longitudinal survey data collected following seven consecutive general elections to map the shifting landscape of the British electorate. He argues that the traditional alignment between class identity and partisan loyalty has eroded, leading to increased volatility and the rise of third-party alternatives. The text provides a systematic framework for understanding how these demographic and behavioral shifts fundamentally altered the nature of British democracy during the late twentieth century.

Political scientists frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the transition of the British party system in the post-war era. Experts highlight the clarity of the statistical presentation, noting that it remains a standard reference for students of electoral behavior and political sociology.