Robert Johns

How do voters in Britain decide which party to vote for in elections?Why do smaller parties get more support than they used to?How do the mass media influence political opinions?The authors examine these and other questions in the third edition of this popular text. They trace the evolution of the British electorate over the post-war period, and focus in particular on recent elections – from Labour's victories in the 2000s through to the hung parliament of 2010. As well as examining and explaining theories of party choice – including the view that voters' evaluations of government performance and party leaders are now the key determinants of election outcomes – the authors also devote separate chapters to turnout trends and patterns, electoral systems and the geography of party support. Campaigning, opinion polls and the mass media are also considered. Fully revised, the text incorporates the latest research on elections and voting behaviour, and includes analysis of recent trends and developments – including how 'new media' are affecting election campaigning.

How do voters in Britain decide which party to vote for in elections?Why do smaller parties get more support than they used to?How do the mass media influence political opinions?The authors examine these and other questions in the third edition of this popular text. They trace the evolution of the British electorate over the post-war period, and focus in particular on recent elections – from Labour's victories in the 2000s through to the hung parliament of 2010. As well as examining and explaining theories of party choice – including the view that voters' evaluations of government performance and party leaders are now the key determinants of election outcomes – the authors also devote separate chapters to turnout trends and patterns, electoral systems and the geography of party support. Campaigning, opinion polls and the mass media are also considered. Fully revised, the text incorporates the latest research on elections and voting behaviour, and includes analysis of recent trends and developments – including how 'new media' are affecting election campaigning.

It is essential for social work students to know about social policy, to know why studying social policy is important in the social work degree, and to understand how social policy, when implemented, has a real impact on the everyday life of vulnerable people. This book provides plenty of examples of this impact, tracing the development of welfare provision for older people right through the twentieth century, leading up to an analysis of contemporary developments, which students will need to know about in order to practice effectively.

In 2007 Labour lost an election in Scotland for the first time in half a century and the SNP went on to form the Scottish Government. This book explains why. Based on a unique three-wave survey of the Scottish electorate, it can truly be described as the first full-scale Scottish national election study. As such, it is notable not only for its innovative methodology but also because theories and concepts are taken from the recent electoral studies literature and applied to Scotland. Other questions investigated include the impact of campaigning and of the party leaders (at both Scottish and British level) on the election outcome. In addition, for the first time in the UK context, a special study is made of the causes and consequences of rejected ballots – the large number of which at this election caused a media outcry.This book will be required reading for anyone interested in, involved in, teaching or studying Scottish politics. It will also be an important text for those concerned with UK politics in general and attract particular interest among students of elections, both in the UK and internationally.

In adopting an innovative case-study approach to social work law and practice, this text fills a genuine need for a book which applies legal knowledge to the practice predicaments social workers face in their daily work. Focusing on an area of law not covered in depth in standard texts currently available, it offers clear and accessible coverage of care in the community and protection of the most vulnerable in our society in a stimulating practice-focused way.