CASE ELECTION STUDY - 1997 Flashcards
1
Q
Political context
A
- The tories had been in power since 1979 and pm John Major’s govt was tainted by sleaze (financial and sex scandals)
- Labour had moved to the centr politically since tony Blair became leader in 1994
2
Q
Result
A
- Labour landslide
- 179 seat majority
- Best postwar result of any party
- Best ever for Labour
3
Q
Patterns of voting behaviour
A
- Labour had made big gains among m/c and skilled w/c
- All ages are more likely to vote labour, apart from the over 65s
- Women and men equally support Labour
- 70% of BAME voters supported labour, compared to 43% of white voters
4
Q
Influence of the media
A
- New Labour had a proactive approach to the media that was new to uk politics
- Tony Blair flew to Australia to meet Rupert Murdoch, owner of the Sun newspaper
- Sun switched allegiances
- ‘spin doctors’ managed labour’s interactions with the media
5
Q
Impact of party policies
A
- Labour had centrist economic policies
- Third way was designed to appeal to a broad range of voters
- Conservaties were divided over EU and very critical of devolution plans
6
Q
Influece of manifestos
A
Labour made 5 pledges:
* cut classroom sizes
* introduce fast track punishment for persistent young offenders
* cut NHS waiting list
* get under 25s into work
* not raise income tax
7
Q
Impacts of campaigns and leadership
A
- Negative campaigning from the conservatives with ‘New labour, New danger’
- The labour solgan: ‘ Because Britain deserves better’
- Campaigns focused on party leaders
- At 43, Blair was younger than any pm since 1812 and lacked experience. However, his charisma and enthusiasm appealed to voters
8
Q
Impacts of elections on policy and policy making
A
Blair’s huge majoirty allowed him to implement a wide range of policies including devolution, the removal of hereditary peers, passing of the HRA 1998, introduction of a minimum wage and increased public spending
