Factors affecting the outcome of the 2015 GE

Question 1

the media

Answer 1

-Kept reinforcing the idea that labour was untrustworthy with the economy due to their past e.g. winter of discontent etc
-The economic crash in 2009 that took place whilst labour was in power was still lingering in peoples minds: labour blamed by the public
-Ed Miliband being labelled as ‘Red Ed’.
-Ed was portrayed as weak + lacked control often the media would depict him being controlled by Nicola sturgen.
-Ed wasn’t portrayed as prime ministerial.
-When asked an MP responded “trust Miliband, i’d rather trust Jimmy Saville with my children.
-Portrayed as being unable to cope with someone as strong as Nicola Sturgen

Question 2

Fear

Answer 2

-fear of losing what one has is stronger motivation
-‘Fear of the left’ made the conservatives the natural party of govt
-Voters turned to Cons when they were fearful in 1979 of trade unions: 2015 people feared Labour wasn’t gonna be economically competent.

Question 3

Impact of LibDems

Answer 3

-LibDems vote collapsed losing 49/57 seats
-2010 coalition deal forced them to give up their commitment of abolishing student fees + instead led to the tripling of fees= destroyed their credibility, helped Cons win.
-SNP’s leader Nicola Sturgen killed the LibDems chance.

Question 4

Economy

Answer 4

-Austerity cuts were seen as the govt doing the right thing as they were taking responsibility to secure economic stability
-Was seen as a remarkable achievement in the period of economic austerity.

Question 5

Impact of UKIP + SNP

Answer 5

-Previously Labour seats were taken away by SNP in Scotland, whilst the ones in the north were under threat by UKIP.

Question 6

Leaders

Answer 6

-Ed Miliband wanted to distance himself from the New Labour era
-Was never able to convince the public
-Miliband lacked the prime ministerial persona
-Was unable to connect to the public
-Viewed as weak + weird

Question 7

AO1

Answer 7

-Cons gained a 0.9% increased vote share= majority of 12
-Won a majority of seats in England only
-Labour majority in Wales
-SNP majority in Scotland Union parties + N.I shows Britain emerged as a multi-national state.

Question 8

Results

Answer 8

-Surprise Cameron victory
-Cons won a majority of 12 with a vote share of 0.9%