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General election case studies - Coggle Diagram
General election case studies
The 1997 General Election
Main features of the outcome:
it was a landslide victory for Blair & New Labour.
the Lib Dems won 46 seats at Westminster.
electoral system exaggerated Labours victory (43% of the vote converting into 63% of the seats.
Main changes since the last election:
the Conservatives lost a total of 178 seats, Labour gained 145.
the Lib Dems gained 28 seats.
the Labour vote has risen by 8.8% since 1987, while the Conservative vote had fallen by 11.2%.
Main issues:
1990s were in economic ressesion.
the NHS was considered to be in decline.
education funding and standards were falling.
crime was at high levels.
Main influences on the outcome:
Blair was seen as being charismatic and dynamic while John Major was boring and dull.
Blair, with his 'Third Way' policies, was able to apeal to a growing middle class (not too socialist...).
the electorate was weary of many years of Conservative rule and wanted change.
the media showed strong support for Labour.
How was the government affected by the outcome:
the election marked a beginning of 13 years of Labour rule, 3 general elections.
significant social programs helped by large majority.
the beginnings of the 3 party system.
The 2010 General Election
Main features of the outcome:
first hung parliament since 1974.
the Conservatives won 36.1% of the popular vote. Along with the Lib Dems with 23%, the coalition held 59.1% of the popular support.
the Lib Dem won 23% of the seats.
Main changes since the last election:
this was a leadership election.
the electorate was more volital.
opinoin polls were innacurate because of increased votility.
turnout was at 60% in 2005 and 65% in 2010.
Main issues:
this was a one-issue election - the state of the economy in the face of the financial crisis.
the Labour Party was blamed for not dealing with it.
the growth in government debt - Labour tax and spend.
whether the UK should spend its way out of a crisis or have austerity.
Main influences of the outcome:
Brown was weak and lacked charisma, Cameron was seen as decisive.
spectre of a coalition between Labour and SNP, this was unpopular.
the opinion polls raised the idea of a hing parliament.
press campaigning against Brown.
How was the government effected by this outcome:
Labour didn't have coalition with the SNP or the Lib Dem.
there followed 5 years of fragile and problematic coalition government.
the UK seemed to be moving further to a three-party system.
The 2017 General Election
Main features of the outcome:
early forecasts of Conservative landslide were dispelled within the last few week of the campaign.
it produced a hung parliament, with the Conservatives as the largest party.
Conservatives got an increased share of the vote bur fewer seats, Labours share rose by 10% and they gained seats.
no Lib Dem revival. UKIP lost most of its vote share. The Greens lost and the SNP lost seats in Scotland.
Corbyn reputtaion was enhanced and Mays reputation damaged.
confidence and supply agreement with the DUP, £1 billion donation to get support.
Main changes since last election:
UKIP stopped to be a force in UK politics.
the SNP lost dominance in Scotland.
12 seat majority after 2015, increased share of the vote by 5.5%.
Labour increased its share of the vote by 9.6%.
Main issues:
choice between left wing Labour and moderate Conservatives.
Conservatives campaigned on strong leadership, the ability to conclude Brexit successfully and 'strong and stable' government.
Labour campaigned on radical policies like the nationalisation of rail, mail and utilities, taxation of the wealthy, increased expenditure on healthcare and education and the abolition of tuition fees.
Main influences on the outcome:
Corbyn successful campagn raised his profile and gained support, May did not.
the young voted in higher numbers than before which gave a boost to Labour.
UKIP voters lended their vote to one of two parties resulting in 2 party dominance.
The 1979 General Election
Political context:
'winter of discontent', attacked the previous Labour government (trade union strikes over 5% pay limit increase)
lost a vote of no confidence.
Campaigns:
publicity specialists (Tim Bell and Gordon Reece) Thatcher take advantage of photo opportunities (Margaret Thatcher at a market).
Policy:
focus on reducing inflation.
reduction of trade union powers.
privatisation of nationalised industry.