Voting behaviour and the media Flashcards
How does Scotland tend to vote and why?
Left, especially since SNP dominance
Oppose London centred politics
Economic and costal issues such as oil and mining
How does Wales tend to vote and why?
Labour
Industrial areas
How does NI tend to vote and why?
Split between unionists and nationalists
Based off religion and culture
How does London tend to vote and why?
Labour
Ethnic diversity
Greater economic disparity
More socially liberal
How does rural England tend to vote and why?
Conservative
White
Protection of assets
How does the north of England tend to vote?
Labour
Industry and unemployment
Urban decay, poverty, ethnic diversity
Does class affect voting?
Class dealignment means its significance is decreasing New Labour shows more focus on middle ground and appealing to all classes Third parties have a bigger impact and cut across class divisions
Arguments for class impacting UK politics
- TAX and benefits, two major parties are largely divided
- MANY voters still align with class
- GEOGRAPHIC voting trends are largely a reflection of wealth and class
- Class inequality and lack of SOCIAL MOBILITY remain major concerns
Arguments against class impacting UK politics
- Crewe’s CLASS DEALIGNMENT
- Increased EDUCATION and PROPERTY ownership
- BREXIT and immigration cut across class
- Other FACTORS have more significance
Does gender affect voting behaviour?
Parties’ attempts to appeal to women suggest yes
Maybe gender voting is more issue specific, eg Nuclear weapons (prioritised by men), education and healthcare (prioritised by women)
How does age affect voting behaviour?
- Younger voters lean left (gaining opportunity), older voters lean right (retaining assets)
- Turnout increases with age
- Ageing population
- 47 is the optimum age labour supporters switch to con
- 66% of 18-19 voted Labour 2017, 69% 70+ vote Con.
Does ethnicity affect voting behaviour?
- 1.6 million people of an ethnic minority voted L, 1 mill Con- any significance?
- Lack of representation in Cons.
- Ethnic minorities tend to live in more urbanised areas/ industrial centres
- Labour have a better record on immigrant rights, welfare, housing etc
- 87% of electorate is white British
- Ethnic minorities less likely to vote (56%)
Reasons for decrease in turnout and evaluate them
- Decline in social capital
EVAL- growth in rights culture - FPTP alienates voters due to disproportionality
EVAL- turnout using PR is even lower - Candidates have become too similar
EVAL- not true of polarising Corbyn - People are less informed due to declining standards of education
EVAL- higher uni numbers and availability of media suggests otherwise - Disillusionment, scandals, sleaze, negative media
EVAL- is always present, and media can have positive impact
Briefly evaluate the idea of rational choice theory (Popkin 1980- voters decide rationally)
Valid- manifestos and increased media means ideas and policies are accessible and easy to understand
Invalid- Many voters are loyal to their party or what their parents voted. Some lack political awareness to make a cost/ beneficial analysis
Name two types of issue voting, and why issue voting is a valid suggestion
Instrumental- own interests
Expressive- good for whole of society
Eval- 2019 and 17 election was largely centred around Brexit, people want to see what they believe is positive change
Media focus on issues
Explain Key’s governing competency/ performance
A focus on economic and valence issues voters believe will help the country flourish
Sill vote for the party they believe will be more likely to deliver, and punished in elections if they fail, eg Black Wednesday
Arguments for party leaders affecting election results
- Inspire trust and confidence from floating voters
- Strong campaign will motivate core voters and enthuse activists, may encourage turnout
- A strong leader can maintain party discipline (eg failure of May)
Arguments against party leaders affecting election results
- Other factors and events take precedence
- Core supporters won’t change based on leader (refute- middle ground if where elections are won
- Choice of local MP is more important
What does the media do in elections?
Educate and inform Provide commentary Check and scrutinise Forum for debate More recently... Increasingly partisan Public distrust and cynicism towards politics by focusing on scandals and corruption Focus on personality may create celebrity politicians Focus on crises causes sensationalism Online media can spread misinformation
How does the media influence results?
- SET AGENDA
- Can influence perception of LEADERS eg Miliband’s bacon sandwich
- Politicians may CHANGE POLICY to get media attention or support
- SOCIAL MEDIA used by politicians to spread messages
How many voters read newspapers?
1/6
What readers of which papers vote which way?
Guardian and Mirror vote Lab
Majority of telegraph and Mail vote Con.
Discuss women only short lists
FOR- Increases representation and encourages more women into politics
Closer to a microcosm
Challenges tradition
AGAINST- Having unqualified females is even more damaging to gender equality
Not fair or impressive
Undermines success and suitability of candidates
Why was the 2019 election called?
Johnson wanted a personal mandate, majority and got break deadlock
Give 4 key Conservative campaign messages in 2019
- Get Brexit Done
- Tough on crime
- One Nation- end of austerity and increase public spending
4.Appeal to patriotism
(also lack of trust in Corbyn)
