Factors Which Influence Voting Behaviour

Question 1

Media

Answer 1

• Change vote based on media outlet * Sun changed from Labour to Tory (2010). 5.1% changed their vote but 13.5% of Sun voters did.
• Since television channels are not allowed to be politically biased, their influence is limited. However, television can still influence voting behaviour. For example, in 2015, over 2.5 million people watched the first date and a Panelbase survey found that more than a third of voters were influenced by it.

Question 2

Referendum

Answer 2

• Dedicated votes often switch their vote for the election due to referendum. *Green party voters 2017; 2/3 switched due to the implications of BREXIT.
• People’s vote in general elections usually aligns with their referendum vote *In 2019 over 70% of Conservative voters voted to leave the EU.

Question 3

Class

Answer 3

• There has been a class de-alignment *2017 the Tories got their highest percentage of votes from any class (47%) from the C2 class.
• Some minor trends still exist *Lib dems 10% AB vote 5% DE vote.

Question 4

Age

Answer 4

• People are less likely to vote for political change as they get older *2017 69% of over 70s voted Conservative.
• Turnout is lower amongst lower age groups *in 2017 55% of 18-19 turned out.

Question 5

Education

Answer 5

• *2017 49% of people with a degree voted labour and 32% voted Conservative.