Essay Plans

Question 1

Explain and analyse 3 ways in which the media can have an influence on the outcome of elections

Answer 1

1. Newspapers
   - direct influence theory (media shapes voters opinions of leaders and parties)
   > 1997 Tony Blair convinced Rupert Murdoch (the sun owner) to back Labour and subsequently won possibly due to older reader being attracted
   - could be argued newspapers reflect existing views
   > papers were critical of Jeremy Corbyn in 2017 (don’t chuck britain in the cor-bin) and yet he still almost won
2. agenda setting theory (media influences what the nation thinks about headlines and TV)
   - emphasises good/bad personality traits
   > Thatcher came across well Foot did not
   - TV may have less impact than others
   > May did no TV and still won
3. Social Media
   - attracts younger audiences
   > 2017 Labour spent £ to encourage young people to vote and subsequently won 60% of 18-24s votes
   - reinforcement theory
   > echo chamber - social media users are unlikely to follow accounts that challenge their views

Question 2

Explain and analyse 3 ways in which the official opposition can challenge the government in the house of commons

Answer 2

relies on the:
size of majority
circumstances
ability to challenge government

1. PMQs
   opposition leader can scrutinise in front of chamber, up to 6 questions allowed
   > allowed Corbyn to pressure govt to reverse tax credit cuts in 2015
2. Select committees
   investigate departments or specific issues with the ability to hold hearings and suggest improvements and requires responses to their findings
   > yvette cooper chaired the home affairs select committee
3. Opposition days
   17 days in each parliamentary session allows them to highlight their priorities, critique government policies, and propose alternative solutions
   > free schools meals (unsuccessful)
   > gurkhas 2009 (successful)

Question 3

Explain and analyse 3 ways in which parties select their leaders

Answer 3

1. Labour
   candidates are nominated by labour MPs then campaign, engaging with members and supporters as well as trade unions. vote then occurs using one member one vote system.
   > rule changes under Ed Milliband allowed anyone to join the Labour party for £3 and vote leading to Corbyn being elected in 2015
2. Conservative
   party had to formal mechanism pre 1965
   when a vacancy arises Conservative MPs hold a series of ballots to narrow down the field of candidates. once a candidate secures a majority of support from MPs they become leader elect. party members then vote to confirm the leader elect.
   > Used in 2019 to elect BJ
3. Lib dems
   relied on postal ballot since 1975
   use AV
   candidates must be MPs with the support of at least 10% of Lib Dem MPs, at least 20 local parties and 200 members

• For Labour and Conservative when there is one candidate only, members are not consulted
  > Theresa May 2016 and Gordon Brown 2007