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This book presents a study of changes in party allegiance by British politicians over the last century. It involves a comprehensive survey of defections from major parties by Members of Parliament since 1886. The strength of party loyalties and the relative stability of the British party system is analyzed as a prelude to an examination of the various factors which have, over time, led individual politicians and groups to change their party. A general survey is followed by detailed case studies, involving both party switches by individual politicians, such as Churchill, Mosley and Powell and more general upheavals to the party system in 1886, 1931 and 1981. The conclusions emphasise the past and continuing obstacles to party re-alignment in Britain.