Case Study 3: 2017 GE Flashcards
What was the turnout?
68.8%
How many seats did CP win?
317
What % of votes did they win?
42.4%
What were demographic issues?
Suggested a return to 2 party politics
Class dealignment was highly significant and voters were largely split on Brexit
Young came out in force
What were valence and other issues?
TM called an early election to provide a mandate to deal with Brexit
Contrasted competence of CP with ‘coalition of chaos’ led by JC
Campaign undermined her and backfired
‘Dementia Tax’ triggered a U-turn within 24hrs of manifesto launch
Commitment to grammar schools and removal of triple lock on pensions alienated core voters.
Salience of issues(Brexit) led to surprising results
L achieved a 9.6% swing-biggest since 1945
Who were the party leaders?
May was attacked for not attending leadership debates, leader of GP said “the first rule of leadership is to turn up”
Corbyn was seen as an engaging campaigner and leader
What was the campaign like?
political journalist Andrew Rawnsley “Cs ran the worst campaign in living memory” based on the assumption that JC was regarded as unelectable by the electorate
May gave lacklustre, emotionless speeches and lived up to media criticisms of her as the ‘MAYBOT’
Corbyn took L campaign directly to the people and proved to be a highly effective campaigner
How were the manifestos received?
Many policy mishaps with CP. ‘Dementia tax’ triggered an embarrassing U-turn within 24hrs of manifesto launch, while commitment to grammar schools and the removal of the triple lock on pensions alienated core voters
LP manifesto was more enthusiastically received-abolish tuition fees etc. After 7 yrs of austerity, JCs anti-austerity message was well received. Campaign slogan ‘For the Many, Not the Few’ which resonated with the electorate. By the end of the campaign JC was drawn = with TM in OPs
What was the significance of turnout?
68.8%-JC created a bandwagon effect, leading to an increased turnout of younger age groups: 54% turnout among 18-24 compared to 43% in 2015
Highest number of young people voted since 1992
What were political issues?
Election was dominated by Brexit
CP were committed to austerity whereas LP announced a number of policies to improve welfare provision
LDs fought for 2nd referendum
UKIP focused on a hard Brexit deal
What were other factors affecting the result?
2 terrorist attacks - Ariana Grande :( -questions were raised about cuts to police service and failure of Home Office to deal with suspects before the attack
What was the outcome?
Suggested a return to 2 party politics
Minority party votes fell
May lost 13 seats resulting in a hung parliament-support from DUP
Declining role of press, JC vilified yet increased L vote share
DE voters felt CP would impose tough immigration laws
Pro-Europe voted L for softer Brexit
Class dealignment was prominent
GE was lost by gov?
TM Maybot, lacklustre campaign
Manifesto
Terrorist attacks
GE was not lost by gov?
Young voters for LP-high turnout
Corbyn=effective campaigner
Anti-austerity was popular
