influence of social class on voting behaviour

Question 1

traditional and recent changes

Answer 1

-in 1966: AB – 72% voted Conservative; 26% voted Labour

DE – 16% voted Conservative; 65% voted Labour
-shows the traditionally it was extremely clear cut that the wealthiest voted for conservative and the poorest voted for labour

• 1970 onwards – partisan dealignment – due to presence of other parties (Lib Dems) and greater influence of short term factors became less apparent
• in 2010: AB – 39% voted Cons; 26% voted Labour;

DE – 31% voted Conservative; 40% voted Labour
-shows how there gap has lessened massively

Question 2

turnout and referendums

Answer 2

-2014 – independence referendum; majority ‘Yes’ vote in only 4 areas – all with high concentration of deprivation, e.g. Dundee (57% Yes)
Affluent areas most likely to vote No –e.g. East Renfrewshire (63% No)
-shows those in financially struggling climates more likely to want change

Question 3

Scottish voting patterns

Answer 3

• Popularity of SNP has dominated Scottish voting in recent elections, winning seats across all social classes
• shows social class less apparent in Scotland with such a dominant party like SNP

Question 4

2017

Answer 4

-class seen as less important than education level

• Labour got its greatest support from most well-educated (over 35% of those with a degree voted Labour); Conservatives got highest level of support from those who were least well-educated (over 30% of this group voted Cons)
• shows contrary to tradition, the best educated are the ones opting for labour instead of conservative