Political Change in Britain, 1963

This study is part of a larger investigation that surveyed
both cross-section and panel samples between 1963 and 1970, in an
effort to analyze political change in Great Britain. Interviewing was
conducted in four waves: the first wave in 1963, an election-free
year, and the next three waves subsequent to the general elections in
1964, 1966, and 1970. The present study contains the data resulting
from the 1963 national cross-section sample. POLITICAL CHANGE IN
BRITAIN, 1964 (ICPSR 7233) presents data obtained from the 1964
electorate sample, POLITICAL CHANGE IN BRITAIN, 1966 (ICPSR 7234)
includes the interviews administered to the 1966 electorate sample,
and POLITICAL CHANGE IN BRITAIN, 1963-1970 (ICPSR 7250) comprises the
master file that brings together the 1963, 1964, and 1966 samples as
well as 11 additional panels. The interviews focused on the
phenomenon of political change. General political attitudes and
behaviors were ascertained, as well as possible sources for their
change. Variables assessed respondents' sources of political
information, perceptions of political parties and leaders, and views
on governmental responsiveness, economic well-being, and other salient
issues. Other questions probed partisan self-identification and the
extent of political participation. The respondents' knowledge of
members of parliament from their constituencies, and perceptions of
social class and trade-union influence were also
investigated. Semantic differential scales were employed to assess
respondents' perceptions of the three main parties. Extensive
demographic data were collected, including age, sex, marital status,
number of children, religion, education, occupation, and income.