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CONTENTS

PREFACE
A WORD ON THE LATE ELECTION	5
I
THE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM
THE IDEA OF REPRESENTATION	15
WHAT THE PUBLIC THINKS	18
PAST AND PRESENT	25
II
THE GOVERNING GROUP
THE MAKING OF MINISTRIES	37
THE PLACEMEN	44
THE SECRET ALLIANCE	52
III
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AS IT IS
THE CONTROL OF THE TIME-TABLE	65
HOW IT WORKS	73
A CONCRETE EXAMPLE	89
THE TONE OF THE HOUSE	95
IV
THE SECRET FUNDS
THE UNMENTIONABLE TRUTH	101
THE SALE OF POWERS	103
THE SALE OF POLICIES	110
V
THE CONTROL OF ELECTIONS
THE PARTY CAUCUS	119
THE SELECTION OF CANDIDATES	121
AN ELECTION	125
THE SELECTION OF PROGRAMMES	133
VI
THE DEFENCE
THE EXCUSES	143
THE REAL SUPPORT	159
THE GRAVE PERILS	168
VII
CAN IT BE MENDED?	185

NOTES
A NOTE ON CO-OPTION	205
A NOTE ON COLLUSION	212
A NOTE ON THE PRESS	218