Short term factors

• What does Rational Choice Theory suggest about how people vote?

  People vote rationally based on which party or candidate will benefit them best.
• What process do voters carry out according to Rational Choice Theory?

  Voters carry out a cost-benefit analysis of their options.
• How do successful parties adapt their manifestos?

  Successful parties adapt their manifesto pledges to match public opinion.
• What is the concept of valence in political voting?

  Valence is the idea that people trust parties and leaders to care about issues important to voters.
• What factors contribute to a voter's trust in a politician or party?

  Trust in leadership, capability, and the importance of certain issues contribute to valence.
• How has valence affected the Conservative Party's polling since 2022?

  Many right-wing voters don’t trust the Conservatives to deliver on immigration, leading to polling deficits.
• What is issue salience in the context of elections?

  Issue salience refers to the importance of certain issues during specific elections.
• What was the most prominent issue in the 2019 general election?

  Brexit was the most prominent issue in the 2019 general election.
• How did the Conservative Party's stance on Brexit affect their vote share in 2019?

  The Conservative Party's clear stance on Brexit helped them gain 43% of the vote.
• What impact does a party leader's charisma have on voting behavior?

  A charismatic leader can inspire people to vote for their party.
• How did Ed Miliband's leadership affect Labour's voting results?

  Ed Miliband's lack of charisma drove people away from voting for Labour.
• What was Boris Johnson perceived as during the 2019 General Election?

  Boris Johnson was seen as a new leader with a fresh approach to politics.
• What does governing competency encompass in political evaluation?

  Governing competency includes factors like economic management, control of events, policy, party unity, and personal competency.
• How did the 2008 financial crisis affect perceptions of Labour's economic management?

  Many distrusted Labour's economic management after the 2008 financial crisis.
• What event caused Theresa May to lose votes in the 2017 election?

  Poor management of the Grenfell Tower disaster caused Theresa May to lose votes.
• How did Margaret Thatcher's policy promises affect her electoral success?

  Thatcher's firm promise to stick to policy paid off in the ballot box.
• What was a key factor in the increase of Labour votes under Tony Blair's leadership?

  Blair's Labour was seen as hugely united, which increased Labour votes.
• How did personal competency affect Rishi Sunak's Conservatives in the 2024 election?

  Many distrusted Rishi Sunak's Conservatives after a number of scandals.