1997 election

Question 1

Background to the election

Answer 1

• 1994 : Labour scrapped clause IV
• Every opinion poll since 1993 predicted a labour win
• Conservative party was rife with sleaze allegations

Question 2

Turnout and significance ?

Answer 2

• 71%

- Much lower than typical levels at that time but was the first signs of a long term decline

Question 3

Liberal democrats vote share (1992-1997)

Answer 3

1992 - 18 seats and 18% of the vote

1997 - 46 seats and 17% of the vote

Question 4

How many seats did Labour win ?

Answer 4

• 418
• Gained 145 since 1992
• 43.2% of the popular vote

Question 5

What was the vote share of ‘others’ ?

Answer 5

• 30 seats were won
• 6 were gained since 1992
• 9.3% of the popular vote

Question 6

Why was the conservative party weak on the lead up ?

Answer 6

• Had won 4 elections in a row and was tired
• Disunited over Europe
• Presided over an economic recession

Question 7

Why was Labour seen as favourable ?

Answer 7

• No economic record to defend
• Fresher, younger and united around a definable set of policies (The third way)
• Emergence of New Labour and the Leadership of Blair

Question 8

Party leaders

Answer 8

• Major was seen as grey, unexciting and weak whereas Blair was seen as young, attractive and clearly in command
• Lib Dem leader enjoyed a positive image

Question 9

The campaign

Answer 9

• The election campaign lasted 6 weeks (longer than average)
• Major hoped it would expose Lab divisions, instead Lab’s campaign was well run and the Conservative party spent time dealing with sleaze and corruption

Question 10

What were Labour’s policies ?

Answer 10

• Cut class sizes in schools
• Introduce a fast track punishment for young offenders
• Cut NHS waiting lists
• to get 250,000 unemployed under-25s in to work
• to not raise income tax

Question 11

Conservative policies ?

Answer 11

• Focus policies on economic recovery

- Issue of Europe dominated and divided the party