GE 1997 Flashcards
(28 cards)
What was the voter turnout in the 1997 UK General Election?
31,286,284 (71.4%)
What was the overall swing from Conservatives to Labour in 1997?
10.2% swing from Conservative to Labour
How many seats did Labour win in 1997, and what was their vote share?
418 seats, 43% of the vote
How many seats did the Conservatives win in 1997, and what was their vote share?
165 seats, 31% of the vote
How many seats and what vote share did the Liberal Democrats get in 1997?
46 seats, 17% of the vote
Which smaller parties gained seats in the 1997 election?
SNP (6 seats), Plaid Cymru (4 seats)
What was the Labour vote percentage in Greater London?
50%
What was the Conservative vote percentage in the South East?
41%
How did Labour perform in the North of England in terms of vote share?
61%
Name the main Labour leadership figures in 1997.
Tony Blair (leader), John Prescott (deputy), Gordon Brown (chancellor)
What significant party policy change did Labour make in 1995?
Abandoned Clause IV, moving away from socialism and common ownership
What was Labour’s stance on income tax in their 1997 manifesto?
No rise in income tax
Name two key Labour manifesto pledges related to education and health.
Cut class sizes for ages 5-7, cut NHS waiting lists
How did Labour plan to fund their manifesto pledges?
By cutting assisted places and introducing a windfall levy on utilities
What slogan did Labour use in the 1997 campaign?
“Britain deserves better” and “New Labour: New Britain”
Which major newspaper switched support to Labour before the 1997 election?
The Sun
Who was Labour’s key spin doctor during the 1997 campaign?
Alastair Campbell
What major scandals damaged the Conservative Party before the election?
Cash-for-questions scandal and various resignations of Tory MPs
Was there a televised debate between party leaders in the 1997 election?
No, no televised debate agreement was reached
How did the Conservatives try to mock Tony Blair during the campaign?
Using a “chicken suit” stunt
What was the result of the Tatton by-election?
Independent Martin Bell won, defeating Tory Neil Hamilton
What was the Conservative Party’s position on the European Social Chapter in 1997?
They opposed it and allowed a free vote on joining the single currency
What constitutional reform did Labour promise in 1997?
Devolution to Scotland and Wales, Freedom of Information, and Lords reform
