GE Case Studies

Question 1

Who won the 1983 General Election

Answer 1

The Conservative party under Margaret Thatcher

~they did not win a majority

Question 2

What happened that was significant for Labour in the 1983 GE

Answer 2

They lost 55 seats (conservatives gained 47)

Question 3

In the 1983 GE what did thatchers parliamentary majority rise too
-why was this significant

Answer 3

144 seats

-meant it was easier to pass legislation in parliament

Question 4

What could be a reason for labours significant defeat ( give the term )

Answer 4

Worst election since 1918

Due to significant class-de alignment/ embourgeoisement/ swing voters

Question 5

‘Region can effect voter behaviour significantly’

- give an example from the 1983 GE

Answer 5

In southern England, labour won just 2/110 seats

Question 6

How was Thatcher viewed by the British public

Answer 6

She was seen as powerful, ‘iron lady’, ‘clear,decisive and powerful’, tough and ambitious

She had all the qualities of a good leader: good IMAGE and a good PERSONALITY

Question 7

Why did thatcher call the 1983 GE

Answer 7

To capitalise on her increase in popularity after falklands war, also the favourable polling, growing economy, far left labour.

Question 8

Who was the leader of the Labour Party in 1983

Answer 8

Michael Foot

Question 9

What was Michael foots media reputation like

Answer 9

Very unpopular- easily mocked, e.g. his manifesto was nicknamed the ‘longest suicide note in history’

Armistice Sunday- he was mocked for looking scruffy

Question 10

Who led the SDP and Liberal alliance

Answer 10

David Steele (LD)
Ray Jenkins (SDP)

Question 11

Why did the SDP and LD form an alliance

Answer 11

To capitalise on the era of disillusionment between the two main parties

Question 12

Explain the term ‘spatial leadership’

Answer 12

Voters would make their decision based purely on who would make the best prime minister: who had the best image/personality etc

Question 13

‘ A Manifesto can be very important in encouraging voters who to vote for’
To what extent do you agree

Answer 13

Agree

• longest suicide note in history (Labours 1983 manifesto)
• extremely controversial (e.g. leaving Europe, remove trident, get rid of House of Lords)
• consequently in that election labour lost 55 seats

Conservatives= ‘right to buy’ > gain 47 seats

Question 14

‘In the 1983 GE, social class influenced voting heavily’
-give an example

Answer 14

AB VOTERS:

• conservative= 55%
• labour=16%

DE VOTERS:

• conservative=33%
• labour=41%

Question 15

What was the result of the 1997 GE

Answer 15

Landslide majority victory for Tony Blair and the Labour Party
(418 seats = labour)

Question 16

In the 1997 GE how many seats did the conservatives and labour win

Answer 16

Conservatives=165

Labour= 418

Question 17

How many seats did conservatives lose in 1997

-what does this show

Answer 17

-178

MAJOR partisan de-alignment

Question 18

What was the turnout in 1997

What does this show

Answer 18

71%

-enthusiasm for the campaign

Question 19

Who was the leader of the conservatives in 1997

What was he nicknamed as

Answer 19

John major

The Grey man

Question 20

Who was Lib Dem leader in 1997

Answer 20

Paddy Ashdown

Question 21

During the 1997 the Conservative party was criticised for what
Name an MP

Answer 21

Sleaze & scandal

Neil Hamilton

Question 22

In terms of media, what happened that was significant in the 1997 election

Answer 22

The sun changed sides from conservative to labour

> they then went on to criticise Conservatives heavily in regards to the scandals

Question 23

‘Age can influence voting behaviour significantly’

- to what extent do you agree

Answer 23

Agree,
- 1997 election:
18-24 YEAR OLDS:
>conservative=27%
>labour=49%

Question 24

In 1997, what percentage of ‘The Mirror’ readers voted labour

Answer 24

72%

Question 25

In 1997, what percentage of blacks voted labour

Answer 25

82%

Question 26

Who won the 2017 GE

Answer 26

Theresa May and the Conservative party

Question 27

Why was the election called

Answer 27

She claimed it was the only way to guarantee certainty and security for the year ahead

Also to strengthen her mandate

Question 28

Give an example from the 2017 election as to how FPTP distorts the vote

Answer 28

Difference of 2,000,000 votes meant a 2 seat difference

Question 29

‘social class is no longer a key determinant for explaining voting behaviour’
To what extent do you agree

Answer 29

Agree
AB VOTERS:
-conservative=47%
-labour=37%