To describe systematically, and for the first time, the election process of the General Synod of the Church of England, and the major social, religious, political and economic characteristics of those who stood as candidates. Variables Parish characteristics, election activities, ecclesiastical office-holding, the role of 'parties', attitudes towards the General Synod, perception of voting influences, patterns of perceptions of voting influences, patterns of public policy contacting, attitudes towards ecclesiastical political involvement, individual political participation and electoral behaviour, attitudes towards social, economic, political and religious issues, personal background characteristics.