Voting Behaviour And Media Flashcards
What social factors influence voting behaviour in the UK?
- Class: Historically linked to party support, e.g., Labour for working class.
- Age: Older voters tend to favour Conservatives, younger voters Labour.
- Ethnicity: Minority groups often lean towards Labour.
How has class dealignment affected UK elections?
Traditional class-based voting patterns have weakened, with more voters influenced by short-term factors like leadership and policies.
What is partisan dealignment?
A decline in voters’ long-term loyalty to political parties, leading to increased electoral volatility.
What role does the media play in influencing voting behaviour?
- Agenda-setting: Media focus can frame key election issues.
- Partisan bias: Some newspapers endorse parties, e.g., The Sun’s pro-Conservative stance.
How did the media influence the 1997 and 2017 UK elections?
- 1997: Labour benefited from positive media coverage under Tony Blair.
- 2017: Social media played a key role in mobilising younger voters for Labour.
What long-term factors influence voting behaviour?
Class, age, gender, ethnicity, and region.
How does age affect voting behaviour in the UK?
Older voters tend to support Conservatives, while younger voters lean toward Labour or smaller progressive parties.
What is class dealignment?
The decline in the traditional association between social class and voting patterns, leading to more volatile elections.
How did the 1997 UK general election reflect class dealignment?
Labour gained significant middle-class support under Tony Blair, moving beyond their traditional working-class base.
What is the “North-South divide” in voting behaviour?
Northern regions and Scotland traditionally support Labour, while southern England is more Conservative.
What is partisan dealignment, and why has it occurred?
A decline in strong party loyalties due to factors like media influence, increased education, and changing social identities.
How does the media influence voting behaviour?
Through agenda-setting, framing issues, and endorsements (e.g., The Sun’s switch to Labour in 1997).
How did the expenses scandal (2009) affect public trust in politicians?
It highlighted misuse of public funds by MPs, damaging trust in the political system and reinforcing voter cynicism.
What are two examples of short-term factors that influence voting behaviour?
- Leadership style and image (e.g., Tony Blair’s charisma in 1997).
- Key election issues (e.g., Brexit in 2019).
What role did social media play in the 2017 UK election?
It helped Labour engage young voters through targeted campaigns and viral content.
How has age changed as a factor in voting behaviour?
In the 2017 general election, 18–24-year-olds overwhelmingly supported Labour (66%), while 61% of over-65s voted Conservative. In the 2019 general election, Labour maintained a majority among younger voters, but the Conservative vote among over-65s increased to 64%. Turnout by age: Older voters are more likely to vote. In 2017, 58% of 18–24s voted, compared to 71% of over-65s, reinforcing age disparities in electoral outcomes.
What evidence shows that class has declined as a predictor of voting behaviour?
In the 2017 general election, Labour gained a significant share of middle-class voters (38% of AB voters), while the Conservatives increased their working-class support (48% of C2DE voters). In the 2019 general election, the Conservatives won 48% of working-class (C2DE) voters, reflecting Labour’s collapse in its traditional base, particularly in ‘Red Wall’ constituencies. Class dealignment trend: Since the 1990s, economic globalization and issues like Brexit have reduced the importance of class in shaping voter loyalty.
How does regional voting behaviour vary in the UK?
In the 2019 general election, Labour held urban areas like London (49% of the vote) but lost significant support in northern England (‘Red Wall’ seats). In Scotland, SNP dominance is clear, winning 45% of the vote and 48 seats in 2019, leaving Labour and the Conservatives marginalized. In the South of England, the Conservatives dominate rural areas, winning 54% of votes in 2019, particularly in the South East.
How does the media shape voting behaviour?
The Sun’s impact: Its endorsement of Labour in 1997 helped secure Tony Blair’s landslide, with headlines like ‘It’s The Sun Wot Won It.’ In 2017, Labour’s effective use of social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook mobilized younger voters, spreading viral campaign content. The 2010 TV debates saw Nick Clegg’s popularity surge (‘I agree with Nick’), helping the Liberal Democrats win 23% of the vote.
How does gender influence voting behaviour?
In the 2017 election, women split their votes almost evenly between Labour (42%) and Conservatives (40%), while men leaned more towards the Conservatives (45% vs. 35% Labour). Women traditionally support Labour on issues like healthcare and education, while men are more drawn to Conservative policies on the economy and defense. In the 2019 election, gender gaps narrowed slightly, with both men and women showing strong Conservative support (46% for men, 44% for women).
How does party leadership affect voting behaviour?
Tony Blair’s charisma and ‘Third Way’ policies helped Labour win a 179-seat majority in 1997, appealing to middle-class and working-class voters alike. Theresa May’s perceived lack of charisma and poor campaign (‘Strong and Stable’ slogan backfired) led to the loss of the Conservative majority in 2017. Boris Johnson’s ‘Get Brexit Done’ message resonated with Leave voters, contributing to an 80-seat majority in 2019.
How have specific issues influenced voting behaviour?
In 2019, the Conservatives capitalized on Leave voters, winning 74% of their support, while Labour struggled with a divided stance on Brexit. After the financial crisis in 2010, voters turned to the Conservatives, believing their economic policies were stronger than Labour’s. In 2005, Tony Blair’s Labour government retained power, but trust in the party fell due to the controversial decision to invade Iraq.
What evidence shows trends in voter turnout?
Turnout in 1997 was 71.4%, but dropped sharply to 59.4% in 2001, reflecting growing voter apathy. In the 2017 general election, turnout recovered to 68.8%, boosted by high youth engagement. In 2019, turnout fell slightly to 67.3%, with disengagement among younger voters despite the high stakes of Brexit.
What evidence shows trends in party membership?
Labour’s membership surged under Jeremy Corbyn, reaching over 500,000 in 2016, reflecting support from younger, left-leaning voters. The Conservatives have experienced a steady decline in membership, falling to around 150,000 by 2016. Smaller parties like the SNP and Green Party have seen growth, with the SNP’s membership rising from 25,000 in 2013 to 120,000 by 2016.
How has class realignment occurred in UK voting?
In 2017, 44% of middle-class (ABC1) voters supported the Conservatives, while Labour gained 38%, showing reduced class polarization. In 2019, the Conservatives dominated working-class (C2DE) voters, winning 48%, a dramatic shift from Labour’s historical base. Long-term trends show rising influence of education and values (e.g., social liberalism) over traditional class divisions.
What are key statistics for voter turnout in significant events?
Turnout at the Scottish Independence Referendum (2014) was 84.6%, demonstrating high engagement when the issue is significant. The 2016 EU Referendum had a turnout of 72.2%, showing greater engagement on decisive national issues than in general elections. In contrast, the 2012 Police Commissioner Elections had a turnout of only 15%, highlighting voter disinterest in low-profile roles.
