Voting Trends: Partisan dealignment

Question 1

Was the UK dominated by a two party system?

Answer 1

• Between 1970-2001 = yes.
• Gradual decline - lowest in 2010 = less than 2/3 votes were cast for Labour and Conservatives.

Question 2

Stats voting for Conservative and Labour Parties

Answer 2

• 1970 = 89%
• 1983 = 70%
• 2005 = 73%
• 2015 = 65%
• 2017 = 82%

Question 3

Reasons for the decline of two party systems

Answer 3

+ Parties became centralised - saw little difference in ideologies.
+ Emergence of several, alternative and smaller parties - supported by former core voters (Lib Dems, UKIP, Green Party and the SNP).
+ Class dealignment = less likely to support the party expected of them - especially for DE and AB for Tories/Labour. Unlikely to express their preferences with proud statements,

Question 4

Analysis on the 2017 General election

Answer 4

• Dramatic increase in two- party dominance - unsure if it is temporary or permanent.
  + UKIP support collapsed after 2016 Brexit referendum.
  + Clear ideological difference between main parties - e.g hard Brexit for Conservatives and a return to EU from Lib Dems.
  + Vote for the SNP fell - went to the main parties.