The first main component of the BES 2001, the cross-section survey, was conducted in two waves. Wave 1 consisted of a pre-election, pre-campaign 'benchmark' survey, conducted between 3 March 2001 and 14 May 2001. For Wave 2, a second interview was conducted between 8 June - 30 July 2001, with as many respondents from the previous wave as possible. For Wave 2, a longer interview was conducted, and respondents were also given a self-completion questionnaire. In order to adjust for the impact of panel attrition, and to ensure that the post-election survey yielded a representative sample of the electorate compatible with previous BES post-election cross-sections, the post-election survey was conducted with an additional 'top-up' sample of respondents from constituencies that were under-represented in the panel component of Wave 2. The resulting data from all waves are contained in one aggregate cross-section survey data file. The following subjects were covered in the survey: political preferences and values, economic perceptions, social attitudes, dispositions to engage in different forms of political activity, individual and household socio-demographic characteristics.