Component 1 Flashcards
Turnout for the 2016 Brexit referendum
The turnout for the 2016 Brexit referendum was 72%
Labour Party membership in February 2025
The Labour Party had 309
Turnout for the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum
The turnout for the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum was 84%.
Recall of MPs Act usage since 2015
The Recall of MPs Act has been used 5 times successfully since 2015.
Example of an MP recalled under the Recall of MPs Act
Chris Davies, a Tory MP in 2015, was sacked due to false expense claims, and the recall petition reached over 10%.
Voter turnout in Switzerland
In Switzerland, voter turnout for both referendum-style votes and Parliamentary elections averages under 50%, which may show voter apathy if such votes are used too much.
Turnout for the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement referendum
The turnout for the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement referendum was 81%, and it ended the conflict in Northern Ireland.
Average voter turnout in the UK (1945-1997 vs 2000 onwards)
Voter turnout between 1945 and 1997 averaged 76%, while from 2000 onwards it averaged 64%.
Estimated total cost of the 2016 EU Referendum
The Cabinet Office estimated that the total cost of the 2016 EU Referendum was £150 million.
Most common reason people in the UK don’t vote (2015 poll)
The most common reason people don’t vote is ‘not believing it will make a difference’.
Percentage planning to vote tactically in the 2024 general election
According to the Electoral Commission
2019 Hansard Audit finding on electorate’s belief in political influence
The 2019 Hansard Audit for Political Engagement found that 47% of the electorate do not believe they have an influence in politics.
Voter turnout comparison by age group (2015
2017
2021 Parliamentary research report on political involvement among under 25s
A 2021 Parliamentary research report found that under 25s had the highest political involvement.
Turnout for the Alternative Vote Referendum of 2011
The turnout for the Alternative Vote Referendum of 2011 was 42%
Brexit Voters Deaths
The UK is now pro-remain because 2 million Brexit voters have died.
2017 General Election Ethnic Minority Vote
In the 2017 general election
March 2024 EU Leave Decision Opinion
In March 2024
Gov E-Petition Brexit Signatures
A petition on the gov e-petition website to revoke Brexit got over 6.4 million signs by 2019.
2019 Election Labour Safe Seat
In the 2019 election
2024 Election Conservative Stronghold
Tory strongholds such as northeast Somerset for Rees-Mogg turned Labour after the 2024 election.
Jeremy Corbyn Twitter Followers
Jeremy Corbyn had 2.5 million followers on Twitter.
Nigel Farage Twitter Followers
Nigel Farage had 2.2 million followers on Twitter.
Labour Party Membership Change
The Labour Party suffered a sharp fall of 23
Independent Candidate Due to Antisemitism
MP Jeremy Corbyn was previously forced to stand as an independent candidate by the Labour Party due to antisemitic statements.
Nigel Farage MP Election Attempts
In the 2024 general election
Reform UK Vote Share and MPs
In the 2024 general election
Scottish Independence Referendum Turnout
The Electoral Commission reported a turnout of 75% amongst 16-17 year-olds in the Scottish Independence Referendum.
Isle of Man Voter Turnout Change
Voter turnout among 16 and 17-year-olds in the Isle of Man has decreased from 55% in 2006 to 46% in 2021.
Survation Research on Voter Turnout
Research by Survation found that two-thirds of non-voters in 2010 would have been significantly ‘more likely’ to vote had there been an online voting option.
Estonia 2011 Election Online Voting
Almost 1/4 of all votes cast in Estonia’s 2011 election were made online.
Conservative Government Voter Fraud Aim
The Conservative government in 2017 aimed to defeat voter fraud by introducing voter ID.
Criticism of Voter ID Introduction
Critics pointed to the fact that there was no real evidence of voter fraud and that an estimated 3.5 million people did not have access to ID.
Change.org e-petition signatures
The Change.org e-petition about the compensation for the post office scandal currently has 570
2017 petition influence on Trump visit
A 2017 petition collected around 1.86 million signatures to stop President Trump having a state visit; this worked
Public opinion on prisoner voting (2015)
According to a 2015 YouGov poll
Countries with compulsory voting
Belgium and Australia are European and Commonwealth countries where compulsory voting is currently in force.
Public view on voting as a duty (2023)
Polling shows that over 70% of the British public agree with the fundamental proposition that voting is a duty.
Acts broadening franchise in the UK
The 1832 Great Reform Act
Women’s voting rights in the UK
Women achieved equal voting rights with men in the UK with the 1928 Representation of the People Act (Equal Franchise Act)
Voting age change in the UK
The voting age was lowered to 18 in the UK with the 1969 Representation of the People Act.
Just Stop Oil disbandment
Just Stop Oil disbanded in April 2025 following a government crackdown on protests
BMA campaign outcome post-pandemic
The BMA successfully campaigned for a 2% rise in doctors’ wages post-pandemic. Junior doctors also approved a 22 percent pay rise by Labour in 2024.
Just Stop Oil’s key tactic
Just Stop Oil’s key methodology was civil disobedience regardless of public image
Momentum’s aim within the Labour Party
Momentum is a Labour-supporting pressure group that has influenced the Labour party by putting in candidates for election as Labour MPs and councillors.
MPs associated with Momentum
MPs like Zara Sultana
Charity challenging the Rwanda Bill
The charity Care4Calais attempted to bring a legal challenge against the passed Rwanda Bill.
National Trust’s status as a pressure group
The National Trust is the largest pressure group in the country with significant funding and membership; however
Poo Patrol
The ‘Poo Patrol
FareShare
Used Marcus Rashford for their social media campaign to provide free meals to struggling children during the 2020 lockdown.
£120 million ‘Covid summer food fund’
Announced by the government as a result of the campaign led by FareShare during the 2020 lockdown.
£170 million ‘Covid winter grant scheme’
Announced by the government as a result of the campaign led by FareShare during the 2020 lockdown.
Centre for Policy Studies
A think tank that played a significant role in the Conservative Party’s shift towards a more free-market-oriented approach in the 1970s due to Margaret Thatcher’s patronage.
Adam Smith Institute
A think tank that contributed to the Conservative Party’s shift towards a more free-market-oriented approach in the 1970s due to Margaret Thatcher’s patronage.
Institute of Economic Affairs
A neoliberal think tank that had 24 parliamentary supporters in 2022
Resolution Foundation
A think tank that warned against Brexit
Fabian Society
A think tank that warned against Brexit
Conservative Party
The political party associated with the Adam Smith Institute and the Centre for Social Justice.
Lex Greensill
Owner of Greensill Capital and senior advisor to David Cameron with access to key government departments.
David Cameron
Former Prime Minister who became a lobbyist at Greensill Capital after leaving politics.
Best for Britain
A lobbying firm that tried to get another referendum on Brexit through persuading MPs
National Farmers Union
Utilized its insider status with the Department of Environment
Hunting Dogs Act 2004
The law that resulted from the successful campaign by the RSPCA and other groups to ban hunting.
Microbeads
Substances that Greenpeace successfully campaigned for the government to propose the strongest ban on in the world.
Robert Colville
Co-authored the 2019 Conservative Manifesto and is the head of the Centre for Policy Studies.
Rachel Wolf
Co-authored the 2019 Conservative Manifesto.
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Had over 150 citations in official government documents from 2015 to 2021.
Countervailing
In the context of pressure groups
Countervailing
A product of hyperpluralism
PG cage uk
A pressure group that advocates against post 9/11 terror laws that disproportionately affect Muslims.
Muslims’ electoral representation
Muslims only represent 4% of the electorate
Scott Benton
An MP suspended for breaking lobbying rules after allegedly lobbying for the gambling industry and giving access to confidential government documents.
UK lobbying industry size
The third largest in the world with 4
Palestine Solidarity Campaign
A pressure group that campaigned for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
Institute for Government
Issued ‘How metro mayors can help level up England’ (June 2022).
Adam Smith Institute
Released a paper on reforming the Cabinet Office to be more efficient (June 2022).
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Published the 2022 UK Poverty Report.
Chatham House
Published The Justice Laboratory: International Law in Africa in 2022.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (policy citation)
Focuses on employment
The Institute for Fiscal Studies
Focuses on taxation
The National Bureau of Economics Research
A non-profit American group.
The Players Panel
An initiative launched by Entain
Purpose of The Players Panel campaign
To encourage people to write to their MPs opposing increased restrictions on gambling proposed by the government.
Criticisms of The Players Panel campaign
Criticisms included that the emails sent by members did not point out that it was a lobbying exercise by a company
Nour’s government military intervention legislation
Aiming to introduce legislation that means military intervention can only take place with legal and Parliamentary authority.
Nour’s government stance on Brexit and NATO
Reluctance to support anything ‘anti-Brexit’/reversing Brexit and offers vocal support for NATO
Labour’s 2024 manifesto promise for energy
To set up Great British Energy
Labour’s stance on non-dom status
To abolish non-dom status.
Blair’s approach to welfare
Shifted from passive benefits to active welfare
New Deal Programmes (1998)
Mandated job training
Working Tax Credit
Subsidized low wages.
Jobseekers Allowance
Rules were tightened under Blair’s welfare reforms.
1998 National Minimum Wage Act
Complemented welfare reforms by establishing a minimum wage.
Keir Starmer’s proposals
Includes banning zero-hour contracts
Section 21 no-fault evictions
Starmer aims to end this practice as part of his housing policies.
Health benefits cuts
Starmer is working on £5 billion cuts to health benefits (PIP overhaul).
Labour’s foreign affairs commitments
Includes an improved relationship with European partners and a commitment to NATO.
Labour’s stance on Ukraine
Starmer has publicly proclaimed his support for Ukraine.
Labour’s law and order proposals
Plans to create a new border security command
Minimum Wage Act
One of the key pieces of economic legislation introduced by Labour in 1998.
Competition Act
Another key piece of economic legislation introduced by Labour in 1998.
Liberal Democrats’ economic objectives
Aim for a fair
NHS proposals by Liberal Democrats
Aim to cut NHS waiting times and recruit and train more doctors and nurses.
Liberal Democrats’ foreign policy on EU
Looking to rejoin the EU single market.
Trident nuclear missile system
Liberal Democrats aim to abandon the renewal of this system.
Communications Data Bill (Snooper’s Charter)
Liberal Democrats opposed it
Criticism of Liberal Democrats’ Brexit pledge
Seen as disregarding democratic principles and ignoring the 2016 referendum result.
Cameron’s economic policy
Priority was to reduce the budget deficit through a programme of public spending cuts dubbed ‘austerity’.
Kemi Badenoch
Pro-free market economics
Conservative approach to welfare
Implemented a cap on benefits
Conservative’s 2019 manifesto proposals
Promised to increase the number of police officers
Conservative Party’s stance on foreign aid
Oversaw a reduction in the foreign aid budget to 0.5% GDP and introduced the Rwanda asylum scheme to ‘stop small boats’.
SNP’s stance on the NHS
Aims to always keep Scotland’s NHS safe in public hands and improve mental health
SNP’s position on VAT for police and fire services
Called for the end to VAT charges on police and fire services
SNP’s view on the tax burden
Believe that the tax burden should be proportionate to the ability to pay and want to rejoin the EU.
Current leaders of the Green Party
Led by Carla Denyer (Bristol Central) and Adrien Ramsay (Waveney Valley).
Key welfare policies of the Green Party
Include replacing PIP with ‘vouchers’
Green Party’s proposals for law and order
Proposes the legalisation of cannabis
Green Party’s economic policies
Proposes a wealth tax on the top 1%
Reform UK’s beliefs regarding the welfare system
Believe that reducing illegal migration will reduce pressure on the welfare system and proposes a two-strike rule for job offers.
Reform UK’s two-strike rule for jobseekers
Jobseekers must find employment within 4 months or accept a job after two offers
points-based system for skilled migrants
A system proposed by Reform UK to manage immigration based on skills.
lower tax
A key economic policy of Reform UK advocating for reduced taxation.
40% income tax threshold
Reform UK proposes lifting this threshold to £70
first tax bracket
Reform UK aims to raise this to £20
leaving the European Convention on Human Rights
A foreign affairs proposal by Reform UK.
immigration tax on businesses
A proposal to tax businesses employing foreign workers.
ban transgender ideology in schools
A policy Reform UK wants to implement regarding education.
scrap the BBC license fee
Reform UK proposes eliminating the fee required for BBC services.
abolishing FPTP
Reform UK’s proposal to eliminate the First Past the Post voting system.
introducing Proportional Representation
A proposed reform for the voting system by Reform UK.
reforming the House of Lords
Reform UK suggests introducing a representative
Labour Party support in May 2024
According to polling trends
top three parties in March 2025
According to YouGov
1983 party divisions
Labour left-right division led to the creation of the SDP
1997 party divisions
Major’s Tories divided over Europe led to a Labour landslide.
2017 party divisions
May’s government was divided over Brexit.
Boris Johnson’s Huawei plan abandonment
Opposition from Conservative MPs due to concerns about Chinese government interference.
Labour MPs exiting in 2023-24
Naz Shah
key divisions within the Conservative Party in 2023-24
Included tensions over the Rwanda scheme and economic policy shifts after Liz Truss’s resignation.
Conservatives’ vote share loss to Reform UK
The Conservatives reportedly lost 23% of their vote share to Reform UK in the 2024 general election.
Neil Kinnock’s media coverage
He experienced negative media coverage due to the left-wing manifesto.
Good media presence
Tony Blair had a good media presence
Get Brexit Done
Boris Johnson’s clear party messaging was ‘Get Brexit Done
D-Day incident
The D-Day incident with PM Sunak leaving the D-Day commemorations early to attend a Channel 4 interview caused massive controversy.
Taxation policy similarity
Both Labour and the Conservatives do not want to have further tax raises
Universal Credit and NHS waiting lists
Both Labour and the Conservatives align to keep Universal Credit (but seek to reform it) and have pledged to cut NHS waiting lists.
Labour’s tuition fees stance
Labour has no plan to abolish tuition fees as the country cannot afford it (2023).
Israel-Palestine conflict stance
Both Labour and the Conservatives have adamantly backed Israel (bipartisan).
Starmer’s statement on water
In October 2023
Labour MPs response to Gaza conflict
In November 2023
Labour regional mayors on Gaza conflict
Regional Mayors Sadiq Khan (London) and Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester) called for an immediate ceasefire.
Support for Ukraine
Both parties support Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Free movement deal stance
Both Sunak and Starmer have turned down a free movement deal around the EU for 18-30 year olds.
Political parties definition
Political parties are organized groups that seek to influence public policy and gain political power by participating in elections.
Role of political parties
Political parties serve as key instruments in democratic systems
Key functions of political parties
Key functions of political parties include: Representation
Single-party system example
North Korea is an example of a single-party system. While such systems can ensure political stability
Two-party system example
The UK (Conservatives vs. Labour) and the USA (Democrats vs. Republicans) are examples of two-party systems.
Tendency in two-party systems
They tend to limit voter choice and lead to policy convergence.
Wasted vote phenomenon
The ‘wasted vote’ phenomenon occurs when votes for smaller parties do not translate into seats.
First-Past-The-Post (FPTP)
A type of electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins
Multi-party system
A political system where multiple parties have the capacity to gain control of government offices
Proportional Representation (PR)
An electoral system that aims to represent all parties in proportion to their overall share of the vote.
Left-wing ideologies
Ideologies that focus on social equality
Right-wing ideologies
Ideologies that support free-market capitalism
Partisan dealignment
The trend where traditional party loyalty is in decline
David Sanders (British Election Study)
A study that provides evidence of the decline in the proportion of voters identifying with a party.
Impact of electoral systems on political parties
FPTP in the UK favors larger parties
Social media influence
Social media allows parties to engage directly with voters but also makes them vulnerable to manipulation by online movements or misinformation campaigns.
Voter engagement evolution
New forms of engagement
Future of political parties
The future may depend on their ability to adapt to changing political landscapes
1975 UK EU referendum
67% voted to remain in the EU
2011 AV referendum
32% voted Yes and 67% voted No
2016 Brexit referendum
48% voted Remain and 52% voted Leave
Electoral Commission role
Responsible for checking the wording of referendum questions to ensure objectivity and monitors rival campaigning groups.
Weakness of the Electoral Commission
It is a reactive body that investigates violations after they have had their impact.
FPTP government type
Typically produces a single-party government
Disadvantage of FPTP
It doesn’t always produce a single-party government
AMS electoral system
Often associated with a mixed government and multi-party system.
AMS
AMS is associated with two-party coalition governments or one-party minority governments and promotes a multi-party system.
Key feature of STV
A key feature of STV is that it ensures no wasted votes.
Disadvantage of STV in Northern Ireland
A noted disadvantage in Northern Ireland has been a lack of stable government
Function of SV electoral system
The SV electoral system (single candidate as mayor) tends to reinforce a two-party system
Gender factor in 1997 general election
In 1997
Gender factor in 2024 general election
In 2024
Region most likely to vote Labour
The North is most likely to vote Labour
Red Wall
The ‘Red Wall’ referred to traditional Labour strongholds in Northern England.
Red Wall in 2019 General Election
In the 2019 General Election
Red Wall in 2024 General Election
In the 2024 General Election
Coastal seats and Reform UK
Seats that went to Reform UK in 2024 were often coastal due to their anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Class dealignment
Class dealignment is the phenomenon where people no longer strongly identify with a particular social class.
Class voting patterns in 1997
In 1997
Class voting patterns in 2019
In 2019
The Sun newspaper and Jeremy Corbyn
The Sun increased negative media coverage of Corbyn
Daily Mail readers voting Conservative in 2017
74% of Daily Mail readers reportedly voted Conservative in 2017.
Labour’s use of social media in 2024
Labour appointed a dedicated employee to work with influencers on TikTok and Instagram to promote a positive image of Keir Starmer
Paid-for adverts on Facebook in 2019
The Conservatives had significantly more live paid-for adverts on Facebook than Labour in the 2019 general election.
Campaign event influencing election outcome in 1992
In 1992
Campaign event influencing election outcome in 2017
In 2017
1950s and 1960s
Strong class allegiance meant that campaigns made very little difference in swaying voters.
1955 and 1959
Expected Tory victories during these years.
1997
Labour had a runaway lead in the polls
‘Get Brexit Done’
The Conservative Party’s key slogan in the 2019 general election believed to have helped them win.
Jeremy Corbyn’s Brexit plan
Perceived to have no clear plan for Brexit
Labour’s ‘New Labour’ image
‘New Labour’ had a modernized image and a manifesto that reflected centrist attitudes.
Build the economy
A promise made by Labour in their 1997 manifesto.
Abolished Clause 4
A significant change made by Labour as part of their ‘New Labour’ approach.
13 by-elections
The number of by-elections that had taken place since Rishi Sunak became PM up to the information provided.
Selby and Ainty by-election (July 2023)
An example where Labour gained a seat from the Conservatives with a significant swing.
Rochdale by-election (February 2024)
George Galloway of the Workers Party of Britain gained the Rochdale seat.
Trust in the BBC
Declined from 81% in 2003 to 47% in 2020.
Trust in ITV
Declined from 82% in 2003 to 41% in 2020.
‘Brexit election’
The term used by the media to describe the 2019 general election
Allistair Campbell
Former political editor of the Daily Mirror who became a director of communications for Blair.
Andy Coulson
Former editor of News of the World who became a director of communications for Cameron.
Seamus Milne
Ex-Guardian journalist who became a director of communications for Corbyn.
Dominic Cummings investigation
A Daily Mirror and Guardian investigation into whether he broke lockdown rules became a lead story across social and broadcast media.
Media scrutiny on Suella Braverman
Media pressure mounted on Rishi Sunak after criticism of police regarding pro-Palestine protests
George Galloway’s media use
He used the media to promote his pro-Palestine views
OFCOM
Regulates the media in the UK
GB News finding (March 2023)
OFCOM found GB News guilty of breaking impartiality rules in an interview with Jeremy Hunt.
Mr Bates vs The Post Office
An ITV drama that re-exposed the Post Office scandal to the public
Government response to Post Office scandal
The government announced an upfront payment of £75k to postmasters following the drama’s impact.
Television influence
A 2015 election survey found that television (62%) was the strongest influence in helping people form an opinion.
Social media influence in 2017
A YouGov survey after the 2017 election found that 26% of adults reported that social media had influenced their vote.
Labour’s social media strategy in 2017
In 2017
Keir Starmer’s debate stance
Starmer stated he was happy to debate Sunak
Media preferences by political views
The University of Oxford Reuters Institute found that people with right-wing views are more likely to favour offline news
Media echo chamber
The media can be an ‘echo chamber’ where people choose media outlets that align with their existing views.
Conservative Party policies in 1979
The Conservatives’ key policies in 1979 were about economic reforms and curbing the power of trade unions
1979 election campaign technique
The Conservative’s used the ‘Labour isn’t working’ poster and slogan
Wider context of 1979 election
The wider political context included the ‘Winter of Discontent’ with many trade union strikes and issues with unemployment
Class-based voting in 1979
Conservatives won in the AB and C1 categories and gained in C2 and DE
Conservative Party policies in 1997
The Conservatives tried to focus on economic recovery.
Labour’s pledges in 1997
Labour focused on five specific pledges: cutting class sizes
Labour’s campaign technique in 1997
Labour had been courting journalists for years
Political context damaging Conservatives in 1997
Issues included the Exchange Rate Mechanism failure
Key focuses for 2024 election
Immigration was a big focus. Labour focused on economic stability with some distinct policies like renationalisation
Campaign techniques in 2024 election
Labour focused on ‘Fourteen years of conservative government’. The Conservatives eventually focused on telling voters not to give Labour a supermajority.
Regional voting patterns in 2024
Red Wall voters who voted Conservative in 2019 returned to Labour. Scottish voters who had been disappointed with the SNP returned to Labour
Turnout for 2024 election
The turnout for the 2024 general election was 60%.
