Voting Behaviour and the media

Question 1

What were the keys reasons behind Labour’s electoral defeat in 1979?

Answer 1

• The country was recovering from the winter of discontent, where there was mass strikes.
• This caused mass disruption, with teachers, gravediggers and many other
  public sector workers went on strike.
• Labour were losing control of the country and some wondered if Britain had become “ungovernable”.
• The winter of discontent was a symptom of a much wider problem contributing to labour’s defeat. PM couldn’t control trade unions, who had been striking to stop a 5% limit in pay rises and the “social construct” had broken down.
• Economic weaknesses: Labour failed to manage the economy. PM had to accept an IMF loan (“britain’s shame”).
• Inflation and unemployment ripped apart the economy.

Question 2

Is the UK becoming more Partisan?

Answer 2

• Partisan is where voters choose to support a party because they strongly identify with that party.
• In recent years, voters have stopped identifying with one party and have become floating voters who could vote for a number of parties.
• Disillusion and apathy explain the loss of party appeal to voters. Voters are disengaged with politics.
• As the 2017 GE saw high voting share though.

Question 3

Why has class become less important in determining voting behaviour?

Answer 3

• Class dealignment has taken place.
• This is because the UK’s middle class has grown, there has been a decline in trade union power, the privatisation of indsutries and greater education opportunities.
• New political dividing line, remain or leave (the EU) question transcended class.

Question 4

What year did the Conservatives and Lib Dems form a coalition?

Answer 4

2010