Voting Behaviour

• What factors influence voting patterns?

  Party policies, manifestos, class-based voting, and demographics
• How did the political landscape change after 1979?

  There was a move away from solid two-party voting patterns
• What was the voter turnout for 18 to 19-year-olds in the 2017 election?

  56%
• How does education level affect voting behavior in recent elections?

  Conservatives perform better among those with less formal qualifications
• What are the key factors influencing voting behavior in the UK?

  • Regional preferences
  • Class-based voting
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Ethnicity
  • Education level
  • Party policies and manifestos
  • Media influence
• What are the implications of class de-alignment and partisan de-alignment in voting behavior?


  • Class is no longer a dominant factor
  • Emergence of floating or swing voters
  • Shift in traditional party loyalty
  • New tribal divisions (e.g., leave and remain)
• What trends were observed in voter turnout across different demographics in recent elections?

  • Younger voters have lower turnout
  • Older voters have higher turnout
  • Ethnic minority groups generally have lower turnout
  • White voters tend to have higher turnout
• What was the voter turnout for white voters in 2015?

  68%
• What was the voter turnout for BME voters in 2015?

  56%
• What might the voting patterns among different educational qualifications be connected to?

  Issues such as Brexit and the rise in university attendance.
• How did Brexit influence voting behavior in the 2019 election?

  Many voters chose Conservatives because they aligned with Brexit views.
• What are valence issues in voting?

  Issues where parties agree on goals but differ on how to achieve them.
• What was a significant issue for voters regarding Jeremy Corbyn in recent elections?

  Many voters did not trust him to deliver on his manifesto promises.
• What economic situation did Labour face in 1979?

  They had to borrow money from the IMF due to dire economic straits.
• What was the winter of discontent in 1979?

  It involved widespread strikes and economic disruption.
• How did the Conservatives use the winter of discontent in their campaign?

  They used it to suggest Labour was incapable of effective governance.
• How did the media influence the 1979 election campaigns?

  Parties timed their press conferences to align with news broadcasts.
• How many seats did the Conservatives win in the 1979 election?

  339 seats.
• What percentage of the vote did the Conservatives receive in the 1979 election?

  44%.
• What demographic shift occurred in Conservative voting patterns after 1979?

  Conservatives began to gain votes in traditionally Labour areas.
• How did the Sun newspaper's allegiance change in the 1990s?

  It switched support to the Labour Party.
• What ideology did the Labour Party offer under Tony Blair?

  New ideology with a third way approach.
• What were the five key pledges made by Labour under Blair?

  Crime, NHS, unemployment, VAT on heating, and education.
• How does voter turnout differ between ethnic groups?

  White voters generally have a higher turnout than BME voters.
• How have party ideologies and platforms changed over time?

  Parties adapt their ideologies to respond to changing voter concerns and issues.
• What role do local MPs play in voter decision-making?

  Local MPs can influence voters' choices based on their connection to the community.
• How do economic conditions affect voting behavior?

  Poor economic conditions can lead voters to favor parties promising change.
• Why is party unity important in elections?

  A unified party can present a stronger front to voters and increase turnout.
• How does voter loyalty impact minor parties?

  Voter loyalty to major parties can hinder the success of minor parties.
• What series of scandals damaged the Conservative Party?

  Sex scandals and financial scandals
• What ideology did the Labour Party offer under Blair?

  The Third Way
• What were the five key pledges made by the Labour Party under Blair?

  • Crime
  • NHS
  • Unemployment (especially among youth)
  • VAT on heating
  • Not raising income taxes
• How did the Conservative Party's economic issues affect their trustworthiness?

  They struggled to convince the public they could manage the economy
• How did the Labour Party's campaign compare to the Conservative Party's campaign?

  Labour ran a polished and professional campaign
• How was Major perceived compared to Blair during the campaign?

  Major was seen as weak and boring
• What was the result of the 1997 election for the Labour Party?

  Labour won 43.2% of the vote
• How many seats did Labour gain in the 1997 election?

  Labour gained 147 seats
• What percentage of the vote did the Conservatives receive in the 1997 election?

  30.7%
• How many seats did the Conservatives win in the 1997 election?

  168 seats
• What regional trend did the Conservatives experience in the 1997 election?

  They lost all their seats in Scotland and Wales