2017

• Overview Of The General Election Result and Impact

  • After becoming Conservative Party leader in 2016, Theresa May said she wouldn’t call a snap election, but did in the spring of 2017 with the aim of improving the Conservatives’ small majority, as they were ahead in the polls.
  • This ultimately failed, resulting in the Conservative Party losing its majority and having to enter into a confidence and supply agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to stay in power.
• Leadership:

  • May was perceived as being a weak leader, whilst Corbyn was able to take advantage of this through being very popular among certain sections of the population, especially the young.
  • Her ‘strong and stable’ leadership message also gained little traction.
  • May was derided for refusing to take part in the leaders debates, which made her look weak.
• • The Conservatives won 42.4% of the vote and 318 seats (a loss of 13 seats), Labour won 40% of the vote and 262 seats (a gain of 30).
  • The SNP won 3% of the vote and 35 seats (a loss of 21).
  • The Lib Dems won 7.4% of the vote and 12 seats.
• Policy and Rational Choice Voting:

  • Corbyn and Labour gained significant support because of their policies to end austerity, improve welfare and scrap University tuition fees.
  • After 7 years of Conservative government, Corbyn was able to offer a real change and increased funding that would help lots of people.
  • Recent terrorist attacks also affected the Conservatives and highlighted cuts to police numbers made since coming to power in 2010.
• The Campaign:

  • The campaign started with the Conservatives significantly ahead in opinion polls, but Labour were able to gain significant ground despite how a lot of the press presented Corbyn negatively.
  • A key point in the campaign was when Theresa May announced plans to change social care so that those receiving care at home would also have to contribute to the cost of their care.
  • it was dubbed as the ‘dementia tax’ and received a massive backlash, leading to the Conservative Party dropping it within 24 hours.
• Social Factors:

  • Corbyn and Labour received very strong support from younger voters, though many still failed to turnout, whilst the Conservatives were more popular with older voters.
  • Education was also a significant predictor of voting behaviour, with those with more qualification more likely to support Labour and those with none/fewer more likely to support the Conservatives.
  • Class became a less useful predictor of voting behaviour, with the Conservatives gaining among the working class and Labour gaining among the middle class.
• Key Points:

  • Leadership was an important factor in May losing her majority.
  • Rational choice and policy was important in Corbyn offering an alternative vision.
  • The campaign was important, with Labour making major gains through it.
  • Age and education became key social factors, whilst class continued to become less important, despite Corbyn’s shift to the left.