Voting behaviour (VB&M 4.1a) Flashcards
What elections are required to be known for VB&M?
1992, 1997, and 2019/2024 elections
What are the classes when determining voting behaviour, and who fits in these?
A = Higher management, bankers, lawyers, doctors, etc
B = Middle management, teachers, creatives/media people, etc
C1 = White collar workers
C2 = Blue collar workers (skilled manual workers)
D = Semi-skilled and unskilled manual workers
E = Unemployed, students, pensioners, casual workers
What classes usually vote Conservative and Labour?
ABC1 usually votes Conservative.; C2DE usually votes Labour.
What is class dealignment?
When voters no longer consistently vote for the party traditionally associated with their social class.
When did class dealignment occur and why?
Class dealignment occurred under Thatcher as her reforms meant de-industrialisation and structural changes to the economy, changing the ‘industrial base’ and shifting from an industrial to a service economy.
What is rational choice theory?
This idea suggests that voters will make a rational, or logical judgement based on what is in their own best interests. However, this theory assumes voters are fully informed about these issues.
What is issue voting?
This idea suggests that voters place one issue above all others and cast their vote based on this, judging a party or candidate by their position on this issue and vote solely based on this.
What are valence (economic) issues?
A valence issue is one where voters share a desired outcome; usually, this is the desire for the country to be economically prosperous. Voters cast their vote on who they believe is best placed to deliver this, known as governing competency; the ability to manage a country well.
What is the most common valence issue?
The most common valence issue is the economy; inflation, unemployment, interest rates, house prices and taxation.
What is governing competency?
The perceived ability of the government to manage the affairs of the country well.
In terms of gender, what parties are voted for?
Men tend to be more Conservative than women; women generally lean more towards Labour, as issues such as the NHS, social care, childcare and gender equality tend to have greater salience among female voters.
In terms of age, what parties are voted for?
- Those under 35 usually vote for Labour, peaking among 18-to-24 year olds, with a higher priority on education, housing affordability and climate change.
- Those between 35 and 54 are more evenly split, but with a Conservative lead, with concerns over mortgages, taxation and economic stability.
- Those above 55 are substantially more likely to vote Conservative, as issues over pensions and law-and-order are particularly salient.
In terms of ethnicity, what parties are voted for?
- the core Conservative vote is in rural and suburban areas, but Labour retains strongholds in urban/industrial White working-class communities.
- BAME vote overwhelmingly for Labour, due to issues of social justice, anti-discrimination and immigration policy.
In terms of class, what parties are voted for?
- ABC1 (middle and upper class) are more likely Conservative
- C2DE traditionally vote Labour, though in recent elections (i.e. 2019), the Conservatives have broken through the “Red Wall”
In terms of regions, what parties are voted for?
- South-East England and rural areas have a strong Conservative dominance
- London, urban centres, the North and Wales usually vote for Labour
What is partisan dealignment?
Long-term decline in the strength and loyalty of individuals towards a particular political party
Voters no longer identifying as strongly with one party as they did in the past, leading to more volatility and unpredictability in elections
What are six key factors which can determine votes in a general election?
Policies
Key issues
Performance in office
Leadership
Image
Tactical voting
What is the importance of policies?
Policies (party manifestos; making a decision based on which set of policies suits them best - rational choice theory)
What is the importance of key issues?
Key issues (party campaigns increasingly focus on a clear message about one issue which could away the election - issue voting)
What is the importance of a government’s performance in office?
Performance in office (voters tend to simplify the election; if the economy does well, the government is rewarded; if not, the opposition is given a chance to govern - economic and valence issues)
What is the importance of party leadership?
Role of the leader; voters often take the view they are selecting a PM rather than a party/MP; leaders must convince voters they can be trusted, are capable, and must be likeable/engaging
What is the importance of image?
Voters will make their choice based on their perception of the party’s image, linked to issue voting)
What is the importance of tactical voting?
Due to the nature of FPTP; often done to prevent the candidate of the least favoured party from winning the seat.
What is spatial leadership?
A style of leadership where the PM relies on his or her own inner circle of advisers, rather than their cabinet
