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CONTENTS

PREFACE 
A WORD ON THE LATE ELECTION5
I 
THE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM 
THE IDEA OF REPRESENTATION15
WHAT THE PUBLIC THINKS18
PAST AND PRESENT25
II 
THE GOVERNING GROUP 
THE MAKING OF MINISTRIES37
THE PLACEMEN44
THE SECRET ALLIANCE52
III 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AS IT IS 
THE CONTROL OF THE TIME-TABLE65
HOW IT WORKS73
A CONCRETE EXAMPLE89
THE TONE OF THE HOUSE95
IV 
THE SECRET FUNDS 
THE UNMENTIONABLE TRUTH101
THE SALE OF POWERS103
THE SALE OF POLICIES110
V 
THE CONTROL OF ELECTIONS 
THE PARTY CAUCUS119
THE SELECTION OF CANDIDATES121
AN ELECTION125
THE SELECTION OF PROGRAMMES133
VI 
THE DEFENCE 
THE EXCUSES143
THE REAL SUPPORT159
THE GRAVE PERILS168
VII 
CAN IT BE MENDED?185
  
NOTES 
A NOTE ON CO-OPTION205
A NOTE ON COLLUSION212
A NOTE ON THE PRESS218