General Election Case Studies

Question 1

In what context was the 1983 General Election called? - Election Case Studies

Answer 1

The 1983 Election was called by Thatcher following the UK’s victory in the Falklands, providing a much needed boost to her party’s popularity after she had been the least popular PM in the modern era. Unemployment had reached 3 million as a result of neoliberalism.

Question 2

What was the state of the Labour Party in the 1983 General Election? - Election Case Studies

Answer 2

The Labour Party had become extremely disunited, with the ‘Gang of Four’ leaving to form the Alliance with the Liberal Party, having become disaffected from Labour by Michael Foot’s socialist agenda. Their manifesto was also dubbed ‘the longest suicide note in history.’

Question 3

What were the characters of the leaders of both the Conservative and Labour Parties in the 1983 Election? - Election Case Studies

Answer 3

Thatcher was viewed as strong, competent and incredibly authoritarian based on her image throughout the Falklands conflict, while Foot was viewed as being awkward and unfit for governing in comparison (despite his backbench reputation as a strong speaker who had deep-rooted values).

Question 4

What were the results of the 1983 General Election for CON, LAB, SDP/LIB? (Seats and Vote Share) - Election Case Studies

Answer 4

CON - 397 Seats on 42.4%
LAB - 209 Seats on 27.6%
SDP/LIB - 21 Seats on 25.4%

Question 5

What were key policies of Thatcher’s Conservative Party in 1983? - Election Case Studies

Answer 5

Thatcher wanted Britain to be a dominant global power ‘extolling the virtues of British culture’, to reform the Trade Union movement and weaken the power of employees, to further privatise public services and reduce taxes and to remain a member of the European Community.

Question 6

What were key policies of Foot’s Labour Party in 1983? - Election Case Studies

Answer 6

Foot advocated for withdrawal from the European Community, abolition of the Lords, cancellation of Trident and other nuclear deterrents, increased public investment in transport/health/housing, strengthen trade unions and reverse privatisation, introduce citizenship schemes for ethnic minorities.

Question 7

What were key policies of Steel and Jenkins’ Alliance Party? - Election Case Studies

Answer 7

The Alliance believed in proportional representation, devolution for Scotland and Wales, multilateral disarmament, reversing cuts in public investment and also to raise employment levels.

Question 8

What was Labour’s share of the vote in 1983? Why was this? - Election Case Studies

Answer 8

Labour only took 27.6% of the vote in 1983, with this largely down to the split vote on the Left after many voters defected to the Alliance Party.

Question 9

Why was the creation of the Alliance significant for both Labour and the Conservatives? - Election Case Studies

Answer 9

The creation of the Alliance was significant for Labour as significantly reduced their vote share, meaning that they lost seats and could not compete in marginal constituencies with the Conservatives. This allowed the Conservatives to dominate individual constituencies as a result of having sufficient pluralities, strengthening Thatcher’s position in Government.

Question 10

How was the FPTP electoral system significant in diminishing the Alliance? - Election Case Studies

Answer 10

FPTP meant that, although the Alliance was able to take 1/4 of the vote share, they only managed to take 23 seats (fewer than 4% of the total available). This was because they could not dominate individual constituencies enough to secure a plurality, and as such they only succeeded in splitting the left-wing vote.

Question 11

In what context was the 1997 General Election called? - Election Case Studies

Answer 11

The 1997 General Election was called in light of allegations of sleaze and corruption within the Major government, as well as major economic troubles after the pound fell out of the European ERM to much national embarrassment.

Question 12

What was the state of the Labour Party prior to the 1997 General Election? - Election Case Studies

Answer 12

The Labour Party had become largely unified around a centrist ideology under Tony Blair, who had replaced John Smith as leader after his death. Blair was also a confident and charismatic leader, instilling confidence in the electorate that he would be a powerful leader.

Question 13

What was the state of the Conservative Party prior to the 1997 General Election? - Election Case Studies

Answer 13

Major was leading a party which had become increasingly divided over ideology and European stance, while he himself was doubted as to whether he was significantly competent to govern, with the perception being that he was dour and boring.

Question 14

What were the results of the 1997 General Election for CON, LAB, LIB? (Seats and Vote Share) - Election Case Studies

Answer 14

LAB - 418 Seats on 43.2%
CON - 165 Seats on 30.7%
LIB - 46 Seats on 16.8%

Question 15

What were key policies of Major’s Conservative Party in 1997? - Election Case Studies

Answer 15

Major wanted to lead an economic recovery, with larger NHS investment, workers owning company shares, as well as greater independence for people and guarantees on school standards.

Question 16

What were key policies of Tony Blair’s Labour in 1997? - Election Case Studies

Answer 16

Blair wished to cut school class sizes, fast-track young offender punishments, cut NHS waiting lists, tolerate privatisation and private investment, keep taxes low, get unemployed under 25s into work.

Question 17

Describe the campaign of John Major in 1997 - Election Case Studies

Answer 17

Major campaigned for 6 weeks rather than the usual 4, intending to put pressure on Blair. However, this only accentuated the instability of his own situation when he had prolonged periods where he needed to deal with allegations of sleaze and corruption.

Question 18

Describe the campaign of Tony Blair in 1997 - Election Case Studies

Answer 18

Blair campaigned on the differences between himself and Major in 1997, arguing that Major was incompetent as a governor and that Blair was far better placed to undertake this task. Also used sound bites to make policies memorable. Also drew SUPPORT FROM THE SUN to boost their campaign.

Question 19

In what context was the 2017 General Election called? - Election Case Studies

Answer 19

The 2017 General Election was called following Theresa May’s struggles to pass her Brexit withdrawal agreement through, as well as no defined mandate for what to bargain for with Brussels. May sought this mandate through an election, hoping that it would secure her a Commons majority to allow her to properly negotiate.

Question 20

What was the state of May’s Conservative Party in 2017? - Election Case Studies

Answer 20

May had no strong and decisive majority in Parliament with which she could call it a mandate to negotiate with Brussels, with the fear being that any agreement would not pass through Parliament. It was a party split on both sides of Leave and Remain, with May seeking a compromise.

Question 21

What was the state of Corbyn’s Labour Party in 2017? - Election Case Studies

Answer 21

Jeremy Corbyn also led a bitterly divided party, although not particularly over Brexit. This was actually over his leadership, with many centrally minded MPs angry that a staunch socialist had been elected leader. Corbyn looked to appeal to youth and spread a distinctly socialist agenda.

Question 22

What were the results of the 2017 Election for CON, LAB, LIB (Seats and Vote Share)? - Election Case Studies

Answer 22

CON - 317 Seats with 42.4%
LAB - 262 Seats with 40%
LIB - 12 Seats with 7.4%

Question 23

What were key policies of May’s Conservative Party in 2017? - Election Case Studies

Answer 23

May wished to cut migration to less than 100,000, cut corporation tax to 17%, increase support of Grammar Schools, introduce T Levels, exit the EU and Customs Union, raise tax thresholds, increase NHS spending in real terms.

Question 24

What were key policies of Corbyn’s Labour Party in 2017? - Election Case Studies

Answer 24

Corbyn wanted to nationalise key industries, scrap university tuition fees, end zero hours contracts, have a 50% rate of tax on earners over £123,000, reverse Royal Mail privatisation, strengthen collective bargaining, introduce a £10 minimum wage.

Question 25

What were key policies of Tim Farron’s Liberal Democrats in 2017? - Election Case Studies

Answer 25

Farron wanted to hold a 2nd EU referendum, have a 1% rise in income tax to finance public spending, scrap planned expansion of Grammar Schools, reinstate university maintenance grants, remain in the Single Market and Customs Union.

Question 26

What was the outcome of the 2017 General Election for May’s Conservative Party? - Election Case Studies

Answer 26

May squandered her Commons authority, leaving her with no outright mandate to negotiate with the EU, leading to her engaging in a confidence and supply agreement with the DUP. Her own party was bitterly divided and could not agree on a withdrawal agreement.

Question 27

What was the outcome of the 2017 General Election for Corbyn’s Labour Party? - Election Case Studies

Answer 27

Labour massively over-delivered, creating a strong and obstructive opposition to challenge the Executive. Supposedly enthused a younger generation as a result of Corbyn’s leadership and ideas. Also created treaty party unity, with this down to the positivity of their electoral performance.

Question 28

Which social factors were significant in the 1983 general election? - Election Case Studies

Answer 28

‘Traditional’ class, region and age attitudes prevailed in 1983, with CON dominating ABC1 and LAB dominating C2DE. Thatcher appealed to women more as the first female PM. Conservatives had increased vote share due to the enlarged middle class.

Question 29

What social factors were significant in the 1997 General Election? - Election Case Studies

Answer 29

Class was a major contributing factor in 1997, with the enlarged middle class (from neoliberalism) being a target by Labour’s centrist policies. The party also became popular in metropolitan, city areas, while their popularity with ethnic minorities continued. Many older voters also voted for New Labour.

Question 30

What social factors were significant in the 2017 General Election? - Election Case Studies

Answer 30

Age was a major factor in determining voting in 2017, with the younger (more liberal) vote turning out for Labour while the elderly (who largely supported Brexit) voted Conservative. Education was significant also, with degree educated voters much more likely to vote Labour than they were Conservative.

Question 31

What individual voting behaviour was largely adopted by the electorate in 1983? Why? - Election Case Studies

Answer 31

1983 saw rational choice voting dominate, with Thatcher perceived to be a leader with charisma and leadership who had policies to handle a specific set of issues. Furthermore, Thatcher’s manifesto was seen as much more legitimate than Foot’s, which was dubbed ‘the longest suicide note in history.’

Question 32

What individual voting behaviour was largely adopted by the electorate in 1997? Why? - Election Case Studies

Answer 32

1997 saw valence dominate, with this due to Blair’s impression upon the electorate as a leader compared to Major and arguably the narrowing of the gap between the party policies of New Labour and CON. Major’s government also proved to being error prone and rife with corrupt elements.

Question 33

What individual voting behaviour was largely adopted by the electorate in 2017? Why? - Election Case Studies

Answer 33

Issue voting dominated in 2017, with the main point of contention being Brexit due to the lack of agreed direction of negotiation by the electorate. Much of the decision making by voters was based on this specific issue. Valence had some significance in that Corbyn had character and charisma in amassing young, liberal support.

Question 34

How significant was FPTP in the 1983 General Election? Why? - Election Case Studies

Answer 34

FPTP was decisive in producing 1983’s result given that the Alliance took 25.4% of the vote, with this only translating to 23 Commons seats. Given Labour’s vote losses, it is clear that there was a split left-wing vote, with this allowing the Conservatives to dominate individual constituencies across the country.

Question 35

How significant was FPTP in the 1997 General Election? Why? - Election Case Studies

Answer 35

FPTP was still very important in 1997, with an 8.8% LAB swing translating into a 25% increase in Commons seats. On contrast, a -11.2% CON swing saw them lose 25% of their Commons seats.

Question 36

How significant was FPTP in the 2017 General Election? Why? - Election Case Studies

Answer 36

FPTP was only important to a very minor extent in 2017, with both major parties achieving a combined 82% of the popular vote. These 2 parties in turn took most Commons seats on offer, with this resulting in neither party taking a majority.

Question 37

How was the role of the media significant in the 1983 General Election? Why? - Election Case Studies

Answer 37

Prior to the election, Thatcher undertook 16 interviews in an attempt to boost her image and publicity. She was also the subject of the documentary ‘The Woman at No. 10’, with this all working to publicise her while Foot was a figure in comparative obscurity.

Question 38

How was the role of the media important in the 2017 General Election? Why? - Election Case Studies

Answer 38

In the 2017 Election, the media was crucial in reporting and following the wider campaign, as well as reporting policies and televising debates (although May did not attend the BBC one). However, had no real increased significance here.

Question 39

Why was the campaign important in the 2017 Election? - Election Case Studies

Answer 39

The campaign in 2017 was far shorter and more spontaneous than in other elections due to the ‘snap’ nature of the election. This meant that individual parties had rushed policies and manifestos, which partially proved to be CON’s downfall with the proposed ‘Dementia Tax’. Also meant that there was potential for rapid shifts in public support.