General Election Case Studies Flashcards
(39 cards)
In what context was the 1983 General Election called? - Election Case Studies
The 1983 Election was called by Thatcher following the UK’s victory in the Falklands, providing a much needed boost to her party’s popularity after she had been the least popular PM in the modern era. Unemployment had reached 3 million as a result of neoliberalism.
What was the state of the Labour Party in the 1983 General Election? - Election Case Studies
The Labour Party had become extremely disunited, with the ‘Gang of Four’ leaving to form the Alliance with the Liberal Party, having become disaffected from Labour by Michael Foot’s socialist agenda. Their manifesto was also dubbed ‘the longest suicide note in history.’
What were the characters of the leaders of both the Conservative and Labour Parties in the 1983 Election? - Election Case Studies
Thatcher was viewed as strong, competent and incredibly authoritarian based on her image throughout the Falklands conflict, while Foot was viewed as being awkward and unfit for governing in comparison (despite his backbench reputation as a strong speaker who had deep-rooted values).
What were the results of the 1983 General Election for CON, LAB, SDP/LIB? (Seats and Vote Share) - Election Case Studies
CON - 397 Seats on 42.4%
LAB - 209 Seats on 27.6%
SDP/LIB - 21 Seats on 25.4%
What were key policies of Thatcher’s Conservative Party in 1983? - Election Case Studies
Thatcher wanted Britain to be a dominant global power ‘extolling the virtues of British culture’, to reform the Trade Union movement and weaken the power of employees, to further privatise public services and reduce taxes and to remain a member of the European Community.
What were key policies of Foot’s Labour Party in 1983? - Election Case Studies
Foot advocated for withdrawal from the European Community, abolition of the Lords, cancellation of Trident and other nuclear deterrents, increased public investment in transport/health/housing, strengthen trade unions and reverse privatisation, introduce citizenship schemes for ethnic minorities.
What were key policies of Steel and Jenkins’ Alliance Party? - Election Case Studies
The Alliance believed in proportional representation, devolution for Scotland and Wales, multilateral disarmament, reversing cuts in public investment and also to raise employment levels.
What was Labour’s share of the vote in 1983? Why was this? - Election Case Studies
Labour only took 27.6% of the vote in 1983, with this largely down to the split vote on the Left after many voters defected to the Alliance Party.
Why was the creation of the Alliance significant for both Labour and the Conservatives? - Election Case Studies
The creation of the Alliance was significant for Labour as significantly reduced their vote share, meaning that they lost seats and could not compete in marginal constituencies with the Conservatives. This allowed the Conservatives to dominate individual constituencies as a result of having sufficient pluralities, strengthening Thatcher’s position in Government.
How was the FPTP electoral system significant in diminishing the Alliance? - Election Case Studies
FPTP meant that, although the Alliance was able to take 1/4 of the vote share, they only managed to take 23 seats (fewer than 4% of the total available). This was because they could not dominate individual constituencies enough to secure a plurality, and as such they only succeeded in splitting the left-wing vote.
In what context was the 1997 General Election called? - Election Case Studies
The 1997 General Election was called in light of allegations of sleaze and corruption within the Major government, as well as major economic troubles after the pound fell out of the European ERM to much national embarrassment.
What was the state of the Labour Party prior to the 1997 General Election? - Election Case Studies
The Labour Party had become largely unified around a centrist ideology under Tony Blair, who had replaced John Smith as leader after his death. Blair was also a confident and charismatic leader, instilling confidence in the electorate that he would be a powerful leader.
What was the state of the Conservative Party prior to the 1997 General Election? - Election Case Studies
Major was leading a party which had become increasingly divided over ideology and European stance, while he himself was doubted as to whether he was significantly competent to govern, with the perception being that he was dour and boring.
What were the results of the 1997 General Election for CON, LAB, LIB? (Seats and Vote Share) - Election Case Studies
LAB - 418 Seats on 43.2%
CON - 165 Seats on 30.7%
LIB - 46 Seats on 16.8%
What were key policies of Major’s Conservative Party in 1997? - Election Case Studies
Major wanted to lead an economic recovery, with larger NHS investment, workers owning company shares, as well as greater independence for people and guarantees on school standards.
What were key policies of Tony Blair’s Labour in 1997? - Election Case Studies
Blair wished to cut school class sizes, fast-track young offender punishments, cut NHS waiting lists, tolerate privatisation and private investment, keep taxes low, get unemployed under 25s into work.
Describe the campaign of John Major in 1997 - Election Case Studies
Major campaigned for 6 weeks rather than the usual 4, intending to put pressure on Blair. However, this only accentuated the instability of his own situation when he had prolonged periods where he needed to deal with allegations of sleaze and corruption.
Describe the campaign of Tony Blair in 1997 - Election Case Studies
Blair campaigned on the differences between himself and Major in 1997, arguing that Major was incompetent as a governor and that Blair was far better placed to undertake this task. Also used sound bites to make policies memorable. Also drew SUPPORT FROM THE SUN to boost their campaign.
In what context was the 2017 General Election called? - Election Case Studies
The 2017 General Election was called following Theresa May’s struggles to pass her Brexit withdrawal agreement through, as well as no defined mandate for what to bargain for with Brussels. May sought this mandate through an election, hoping that it would secure her a Commons majority to allow her to properly negotiate.
What was the state of May’s Conservative Party in 2017? - Election Case Studies
May had no strong and decisive majority in Parliament with which she could call it a mandate to negotiate with Brussels, with the fear being that any agreement would not pass through Parliament. It was a party split on both sides of Leave and Remain, with May seeking a compromise.
What was the state of Corbyn’s Labour Party in 2017? - Election Case Studies
Jeremy Corbyn also led a bitterly divided party, although not particularly over Brexit. This was actually over his leadership, with many centrally minded MPs angry that a staunch socialist had been elected leader. Corbyn looked to appeal to youth and spread a distinctly socialist agenda.
What were the results of the 2017 Election for CON, LAB, LIB (Seats and Vote Share)? - Election Case Studies
CON - 317 Seats with 42.4%
LAB - 262 Seats with 40%
LIB - 12 Seats with 7.4%
What were key policies of May’s Conservative Party in 2017? - Election Case Studies
May wished to cut migration to less than 100,000, cut corporation tax to 17%, increase support of Grammar Schools, introduce T Levels, exit the EU and Customs Union, raise tax thresholds, increase NHS spending in real terms.
What were key policies of Corbyn’s Labour Party in 2017? - Election Case Studies
Corbyn wanted to nationalise key industries, scrap university tuition fees, end zero hours contracts, have a 50% rate of tax on earners over £123,000, reverse Royal Mail privatisation, strengthen collective bargaining, introduce a £10 minimum wage.
