A parliamentary by-election happens when a seat in the Houseof Commons becomes vacant between general elections, whether because thesitting MP dies, resigns, goes bankrupt, is convicted of a crime or is subjectto a recall petition. By-elections can often appear to break the mould ofBritish politics, signify the seemingly terminal decline of a particularpolitical party or indicate the end of a premiership. Some take on iconicstatus or attract celebrity candidates and are remembered several decades afterthey take place. Others quickly disappear into the depths of our memories. Asthese pages will testify, however, there's rarely a dull contest. In this latest anthology, Iain Dale picks the mostconsequential by-elections of the modern era and presents a series of thoroughlyresearched and absorbing essays by some of our finest political writers,including Sir Vernon Bogdanor, Sir John Curtice, Simon Heffer, Julia Langdon,Lord Lexden, Andrew Marr, Tim Shipman and many others. This remarkable book uncovers unique stories of politicaltragedy, triumph, success and failure, set against the backdrop of some of the mostdramatic moments in British parliamentary history.