Leston, John – The Bell Bookshop https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk Henley-on-Thames Thu, 11 Sep 2025 08:35:39 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cropped-Bell-Background-Blue-32x32.png Leston, John – The Bell Bookshop https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk 32 32 Battles at the ballot https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/product/battles-at-the-ballot/ Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/?post_type=product&p=48386 The never-told-before history of WWI's home front, when a party truce opened up 29 by-elections to a hotchpotch of failing politicians, idealists, single-issue fanatics, and chancers. Foreword by John Curtice.

]]> As World War One broke out in 1914, the main British political parties agreed a truce for Westminster by-elections: they would allow whoever was the incumbent to win. But the public disagreed and 23 by-elections provided a platform for a motley crew of independents. Among them mainstream politicians, failing politicians, party loyalists, idealists, single-issue fanatics, chancers, and no-hopers.

The casus belli for these independents changed as the war progressed, or didn’t, and as issues rose and fell in public significance. Consequently, the contests provide a fascinating insight for a 20thC readership into the priorities and concerns of the home front during WW1, such as:

  • the poor quality of Britain’s air defences
  • splits within the Labour movement over the war
  • opposition to restrictions on alcohol
  • controversy about the conscription of married men
  • dissatisfaction with support for discharged servicemen
  • calls for ever harsher treatment of ‘aliens’
  • discontent at the perceived failure to pursue the war vigorously

Battles at the Ballots is an authoritative and highly engaging look at a little-known slice of British parliamentary and political history, suitable for both the general trade market and an academic audience. It comes with an 8-page colour plate, a full list of election results, footnotes and endnotes. Detailed coverage of 23 by-elections will appeal to those interested in local history in London, South Wales, Scotland, the North-East, Yorkshire, and elsewhere.

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