Book review: footsoldiers: political party membership in the 21st century by Tim Bale, Paul Webb and Monica Poletti

Although tens of millions of adults turn out to vote at UK general elections having decided which party’s policies and leaders they prefer, very few of them join those parties, let alone actively participate in and promote them. Who are those few, why do they join and what do they do? Ron Johnston reviews the latest book reporting on party member surveys, Footsoldiers: Political Party Membership in the 21st Century by Tim Bale, Paul Webb and Monica Poletti.