Voting behaviour and the media

Question 1

How does Scotland tend to vote and why?

Answer 1

Left, especially since SNP dominance
Oppose London centred politics
Economic and costal issues such as oil and mining

Question 2

How does Wales tend to vote and why?

Answer 2

Labour

Industrial areas

Question 3

How does NI tend to vote and why?

Answer 3

Split between unionists and nationalists

Based off religion and culture

Question 4

How does London tend to vote and why?

Answer 4

Labour
Ethnic diversity
Greater economic disparity
More socially liberal

Question 5

How does rural England tend to vote and why?

Answer 5

Conservative
White
Protection of assets

Question 6

How does the north of England tend to vote?

Answer 6

Labour
Industry and unemployment
Urban decay, poverty, ethnic diversity

Question 7

Does class affect voting?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Arguments for class impacting UK politics

Answer 8

1. TAX and benefits, two major parties are largely divided
2. MANY voters still align with class
3. GEOGRAPHIC voting trends are largely a reflection of wealth and class
4. Class inequality and lack of SOCIAL MOBILITY remain major concerns

Question 9

Arguments against class impacting UK politics

Answer 9

1. Crewe’s CLASS DEALIGNMENT
2. Increased EDUCATION and PROPERTY ownership
3. BREXIT and immigration cut across class
4. Other FACTORS have more significance

Question 10

Does gender affect voting behaviour?

Answer 10

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)

Question 11

How does age affect voting behaviour?

Answer 11

1. Younger voters lean left (gaining opportunity), older voters lean right (retaining assets)
2. Turnout increases with age
3. Ageing population
4. 47 is the optimum age labour supporters switch to con
5. 66% of 18-19 voted Labour 2017, 69% 70+ vote Con.

Question 12

Does ethnicity affect voting behaviour?

Answer 12

1. 1.6 million people of an ethnic minority voted L, 1 mill Con- any significance?
2. Lack of representation in Cons.
3. Ethnic minorities tend to live in more urbanised areas/ industrial centres
4. Labour have a better record on immigrant rights, welfare, housing etc
5. 87% of electorate is white British
6. Ethnic minorities less likely to vote (56%)

Question 13

Reasons for decrease in turnout and evaluate them

Answer 13

1. Decline in social capital
   EVAL- growth in rights culture
2. FPTP alienates voters due to disproportionality
   EVAL- turnout using PR is even lower
3. Candidates have become too similar
   EVAL- not true of polarising Corbyn
4. People are less informed due to declining standards of education
   EVAL- higher uni numbers and availability of media suggests otherwise
5. Disillusionment, scandals, sleaze, negative media
   EVAL- is always present, and media can have positive impact

Question 14

Briefly evaluate the idea of rational choice theory (Popkin 1980- voters decide rationally)

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Name two types of issue voting, and why issue voting is a valid suggestion

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Explain Key’s governing competency/ performance

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Arguments for party leaders affecting election results

Answer 17

1. Inspire trust and confidence from floating voters
2. Strong campaign will motivate core voters and enthuse activists, may encourage turnout
3. A strong leader can maintain party discipline (eg failure of May)

Question 18

Arguments against party leaders affecting election results

Answer 18

1. Other factors and events take precedence
2. Core supporters won’t change based on leader (refute- middle ground if where elections are won
3. Choice of local MP is more important

Question 19

What does the media do in elections?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

How does the media influence results?

Answer 20

1. SET AGENDA
2. Can influence perception of LEADERS eg Miliband’s bacon sandwich
3. Politicians may CHANGE POLICY to get media attention or support
4. SOCIAL MEDIA used by politicians to spread messages

Question 21

How many voters read newspapers?

Answer 21

1/6

Question 22

What readers of which papers vote which way?

Answer 22

Guardian and Mirror vote Lab

Majority of telegraph and Mail vote Con.

Question 23

Discuss women only short lists

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Why was the 2019 election called?

Answer 24

Johnson wanted a personal mandate, majority and got break deadlock

Question 25

Give 4 key Conservative campaign messages in 2019

Answer 25

1. Get Brexit Done
2. Tough on crime
3. One Nation- end of austerity and increase public spending
   4.Appeal to patriotism
   (also lack of trust in Corbyn)