The 1997 General Election Flashcards
(142 cards)
1
Q
What is a change election?
A
A change election exists when a period associated with the dominance of one party ends and a new period begins.
2
Q
List three years that are examples of change elections.
A
- 1945
- 1979
- 1997
3
Q
What was notable about the Labour victory in 1997?
A
It was a landslide victory, not just a minor shift between parties.
4
Q
What was unusual about the context of the 1997 election?
A
It was not at a time of economic catastrophe or social upheaval.
5
Q
What characterized the years following the severe recession in the early 1990s?
A
- Steady growth
- Low unemployment
- Low inflation
6
Q
What event in 1992 might have affected voters’ views of the Conservatives?
A
The Exchange Rate Mechanism crisis.
7
Q
How many seats did the Labour Party win?
A
418
This represents a vote share of 43.2%
8
Q
What was the vote share for the Conservative Party?
A
30.7%
The Conservative Party won 165 seats.
9
Q
What type of victory did the Labour Party achieve?
A
Landslide victory
Labour gained a large majority.
10
Q
What happened to the number of Conservative MPs?
A
Lost more than half
This included several notable Cabinet members.
11
Q
Did other minor parties have a significant impact on the election?
A
No
Other minor parties had little impact.
12
Q
What was the outcome of the 1992 election in relation to opinion polls?
A
The Conservatives won, despite opinion polls predicting a Labour victory.
The Conservatives won with a very small majority.
13
Q
What was the polling trend for Labour leading up to the 1997 election?
A
Labour was far ahead in the polls, with predictions between 43% and 53%.
Polls had moved closer with Labour polling over 60% at one point.
14
Q
What polling percentages did Labour and Conservatives have in 1996?
A
Labour was over 60% and Conservatives were down at 21%.
This marked a significant drop for the Conservatives.
15
Q
What polling performance did Labour have under Tony Blair’s leadership?
A
Labour regularly polled over 50% while Conservatives rarely got out of the 20s.
This indicates strong support for Labour during Blair’s early leadership.
16
Q
How did Labour’s polling under John Smith compare to later years?
A
Labour polled consistently in the 40s and hit 50% occasionally.
This was prior to the significant drop in Conservative support.
17
Q
What was a major factor affecting the Conservative vote from 1992 to 1997?
A
The decline in the Conservative vote from high 30s to rarely leaving the 20s.
This decline was linked to government unpopularity and internal divisions.
18
Q
What factors contributed to the unpopularity of the Conservative government?
A
Internal divisions over Europe and various scandals.
These issues significantly impacted public perception of the government.
19
Q
What did some Labour thinkers attribute the 1992 election defeat to?
A
The role of the media
Some parts of the media also took credit for this defeat.
20
Q
What was the famous headline run by The Sun regarding the election?
A
It was the Sun what won it
This reflects the paper’s claim of influencing election outcomes.
21
Q
Who is the notorious owner of The Sun that Blair decided to court?
A
Rupert Murdoch
Blair’s meeting with Murdoch was significant for Labour’s 1997 election strategy.
22
Q
What was the outcome of The Sun’s support for Labour in the 1997 election?
A
The Sun decided to back Labour
This marked a significant shift in support from the paper.
23
Q
Which of Murdoch’s papers did not back either party in 1997?
A
The Times
The Times was more positive about Labour than the Conservatives.
24
Q
What argument is made about the impact of The Sun’s endorsement?
A
It might be overstated
The Sun has backed the winning party in every UK general election since the 1970s.
25
What year is sometimes presented as an exception to The Sun's influence?
2010
## Footnote
Cameron failed to win a majority despite The Sun switching support back to the Conservatives.
26
What was the biggest increase in Labour voters attributed to in 1997?
Sun readers
## Footnote
This indicates the paper's influence on Labour's success.
27
Which group experienced the biggest collapse in Conservative voters?
Readers of the Times
## Footnote
Times readers still backed Conservatives more than Labour, but the shift was notable.
28
Which newspapers supported Labour in 1997?
Sun, Star, Guardian, Independent, Mirror
## Footnote
The biggest support came from Mirror readers.
29
Which newspapers had large Conservative leads among their readers?
Express, Mail, Telegraph, Financial Times, Times
## Footnote
These papers traditionally supported Conservative views.
30
What conclusion can be drawn about daily newspapers by the 1997 election?
They were beginning to lose significance in effecting voting behaviour
## Footnote
People were increasingly getting political news from television.
31
What role did spin doctors play in the 1997 General Election?
They significantly influenced the media narrative and public perception of political messages.
## Footnote
Spin doctors have been utilized by politicians for years, but their approach in 1997 was notably strategic and organized.
32
Who was a key figure on the Labour side acting as a spin doctor?
Alistair Campbell.
## Footnote
Campbell was instrumental in shaping the Labour Party's media strategy.
33
What was the main strategy used by New Labour in their media approach?
They sought out a message and kept spokespeople 'on message'.
## Footnote
This strategy aimed to manipulate the press and ensure consistent communication of the day's key messages.
34
What did Alistair Campbell and Peter Mandelson do to engage with the media?
They courted journalists and editors, providing ready-packaged stories.
## Footnote
This approach was designed to promote the Labour Party's message effectively.
35
What type of data drove the media strategy of the Labour Party?
Focus group and poll data.
## Footnote
This data helped tailor the Labour Party's messaging to public concerns.
36
How did the relationship between Campbell and political correspondents evolve in government?
It became combative and aggressive.
## Footnote
The dynamics changed post-election, reflecting the pressures of governance.
37
What was the public's reaction to spin tactics in subsequent elections?
The general public became more alert to spin and media manipulation.
## Footnote
Journalists also became more focused on exposing such tactics.
38
What characterized the 1997 General Election in terms of economic conditions?
The economy was doing fine.
## Footnote
This context contributed to the unexpected electoral swing.
39
What was unusual about the electoral swing in the 1997 General Election?
There was an enormous swing from the government to the opposition despite a stable economy.
## Footnote
This was atypical, as opposition parties usually promise radical change during economic stability.
40
How did the Labour Party manage the media compared to the Conservatives in 1997?
They managed media and political news stories more effectively.
## Footnote
This effectiveness resulted in significant electoral rewards for Labour.
41
What demographic characteristics does the exit poll data provide information about?
Voting behaviour by gender, age, ethnicity, and region
42
What was the Labour vote percentage among men in the 1997 election?
45%
43
What was the Conservative vote percentage among women in the 1997 election?
32%
44
What was the increase in the Labour vote among women during the 1997 election?
10 points
45
What was the increase in the Labour vote among men during the 1997 election?
8 points
46
Which gender had a larger increase in Labour votes during the 1997 election?
Women
47
What trend was observed in women's voting behaviour prior to the 1997 election?
Women voted Conservative more than men
48
Name one theory for why women swung to Labour in the 1997 election.
Increase of women working, particularly in the public sector
49
What was one controversial reason suggested for the swing of women voters to Labour in 1997?
Tony Blair was more attractive than John Major
50
How did Margaret Thatcher's premiership impact Conservative support among women over time?
Her impact lessened as more time passed
51
What was the increase in the Labour vote for 25-34 year olds?
12 points
## Footnote
Indicates significant support among younger voters.
52
By how many points did the Labour vote increase for 35-44 year olds?
12 points
## Footnote
Reflects a similar trend as the 25-34 age group.
53
What was the increase in the Labour vote for 55-64 year olds?
4 points
## Footnote
Shows less enthusiasm for Labour among older voters.
54
Which age bracket saw the biggest collapse of the Conservative vote?
45-54 age bracket (down 16 points)
## Footnote
This indicates a significant shift away from Conservative support.
55
In which age brackets did Labour lead by a relatively narrow margin?
55-64 and 65+ voters
## Footnote
Indicates a less decisive preference for Labour among older voters.
56
What was the Labour vote percentage among 18-44 year olds?
Nearly 50%
## Footnote
This demographic shows strong support for the Labour party.
57
What was the overall Labour vote percentage according to the exit poll?
44%
## Footnote
This figure includes all age groups.
58
Who saw the largest increase in Labour support?
Young women on low incomes
## Footnote
This demographic shift highlights changing political dynamics.
59
Who experienced the largest collapse in Conservative support?
Middle-aged, middle-class men and women
## Footnote
Indicates a significant change in voter allegiance.
60
True or False: Labour was ahead in every age bracket.
True
## Footnote
An unusual result indicating broad support.
61
What is the significance of the Labour lead for those under 45?
Over 20 points
## Footnote
Indicates a strong preference for Labour among younger voters.
62
Which political party led in all ethnicity categories according to the published exit poll?
Labour
63
What percentage of black voters voted for Labour in the exit poll?
82%
64
What percentage of black voters voted for the Conservatives in the exit poll?
12%
65
Is Labour's high support among minority-ethnic voters a recent trend?
No, it is a long-term trend
66
Name one reason for Labour's support among minority-ethnic groups.
Socio-economic background
67
What historic attitudes have influenced voting behavior among minority-ethnic groups?
Parties’ attitudes to race, immigration, and race equality legislation
68
What percentage of Asian voters preferred Labour over Conservative?
Labour (66%) to Conservative (22%)
69
Fill in the blank: The data on Asian voters might reveal further differences when broken down by _______.
[Indian, Pakistani, etc. or by religion]
70
Which political party traditionally had strong support in Scotland and Wales?
Labour
## Footnote
Labour also had strong support in the north of England.
71
In which regions did Labour perform strongest in the 1997 election?
North, Wales, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, London, West Midlands, East Midlands, Scotland
## Footnote
These areas showed a continuation of Labour's traditional strength.
72
Where did the Conservatives perform most strongly in the 1997 election?
South East, East Anglia, South West
## Footnote
Exceptions included Labour strength in London and Conservative strength in rural northern areas.
73
What was the biggest Conservative vote drop in the 1997 election?
14 points in London
## Footnote
This was the largest collapse for the Conservatives across all regions.
74
What was the second largest drop in Conservative votes in the 1997 election?
13 points in the South East
## Footnote
Despite leading, the Conservatives still faced significant vote reductions.
75
Did Labour gain votes in every UK region during the 1997 election?
Yes
## Footnote
Labour gained votes while the Conservative vote fell across all regions.
76
What influenced the election results besides Labour and Conservative votes?
Strength of third parties
## Footnote
Particularly the Liberal Democrats in the South West and the SNP in Scotland.
77
Which third party received more votes than Labour in the South West?
Liberal Democrats
## Footnote
This indicates significant third-party influence in the region.
78
Which third party received more votes than the Conservatives in Scotland?
SNP
## Footnote
The SNP's performance reflects the regional dynamics of Scottish politics.
79
Why was there concern that Labour no longer had a core vote large enough for election victories?
Due to embourgeoisement and the decline in traditional manufacturing industries and trade union membership.
## Footnote
Embourgeoisement refers to the process of people becoming more middle class.
80
What demographic traditionally supported the Labour Party?
The traditional working class.
## Footnote
Labour's core support historically came from this group.
81
What impact did embourgeoisement have on Labour's electoral support?
It reduced the size of the traditional working class, affecting Labour's ability to win elections.
## Footnote
This shift made it harder for Labour to rely on its traditional voter base.
82
Which social class did some of Labour's support come from, aside from the working class?
Middle-class individuals, particularly those in education and the public sector.
## Footnote
This group was not large enough to secure victories without strong working-class support.
83
What political shift occurred among Labour's traditional voters in the late 1970s and 1980s?
A section of Labour’s traditional vote moved to the Conservatives, attracted by Thatcherism.
## Footnote
This shift was significant and contributed to Labour's electoral challenges.
84
What was one of the key issues that attracted working-class voters to the Conservative Party?
The ability to purchase their own council house.
## Footnote
Labour opposed this policy, which contributed to the shift in voter support.
85
Who was Mondeo Man?
A concept by Tony Blair representing a voter who switched from Conservative to Labour for the 1997 election
## Footnote
Mondeo Man was characterized as being in his 30s, married, a homeowner, living in the South East, and driving a Ford Mondeo.
86
What were the key characteristics of Mondeo Man?
In his 30s, married, homeowner, lives in the South East, drives a Ford Mondeo, aspirational
## Footnote
Mondeo Man was interested in policies that would reward social advancement rather than redistributing wealth.
87
What was the significance of the term 'Essex Man'?
Represented the support base for Margaret Thatcher and John Major, characterized as working-class aspirants
## Footnote
Essex Man profited from Thatcherite politics and aspired to make more money.
88
What do psephologists refer to as C1s?
Aspirational lower middle class identified as swing voters
## Footnote
They often lived in marginal seats and were targeted by New Labour.
89
How can we get an accurate picture of voting behavior in elections?
Through social demographics of constituencies and exit polls
## Footnote
Exit polls involve representative samples asked about their votes after leaving polling stations.
90
What percentage of ABs voted Conservative in the 1997 election?
41%
## Footnote
Compared to 31% who voted Labour.
91
What percentage of DEs voted Labour in the 1997 election?
59%
## Footnote
This was compared to 21% who voted Conservative.
92
What was the trend in voting among ABs from 1992 to 1997?
Conservatives' vote decreased by 15 percentage points; Labour's increased by 12
## Footnote
Similar trends were observed among C1s, with both parties ending at 37% each.
93
What overall trend was observed in the swing from Conservative to Labour in the 1997 election?
A large swing, stronger among the better off
## Footnote
Conservatives were down 12 points and Labour up 9, with a less dramatic swing among lower income groups.
94
Did exit polls understate or overstate the Labour landslide in 1997?
Slightly understated the Labour landslide
## Footnote
The exit poll predicted a smaller Labour victory than what actually occurred.
95
Who became Prime Minister in 1990?
John Major
## Footnote
John Major succeeded Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister.
96
What was the outcome of the 1992 General Election for John Major?
He led his party to victory, keeping a small majority
## Footnote
Many opinion polls had predicted a Labour win.
97
What years did John Major serve as Prime Minister?
1992 to 1997
## Footnote
His term was notable and far from uneventful.
98
How was John Major often portrayed in media?
As grey and uncharismatic
## Footnote
He was mocked in cartoons and shows like Spitting Image.
99
What challenge did John Major issue to his MPs in 1995?
Put up or shut up
## Footnote
This challenge was significant in the context of party leadership.
100
Who challenged John Major for the Conservative leadership?
John Redwood
## Footnote
The challenge came after Major's 'put up or shut up' remark.
101
What was the voting process for the Conservative leadership during John Major's time?
Only MPs got to vote
## Footnote
This was a key aspect of the leadership challenge.
102
What was the result of the leadership challenge against John Major?
He won comfortably
## Footnote
Despite the challenge, he reinforced his position in the party.
103
What was a notable remark made by Tony Blair about John Major?
I lead my party; he follows his
## Footnote
This remark emphasized the perception of Major as a weak leader.
104
What issue caused John Major to lose his parliamentary majority?
Withdrawing the whip from serial rebels
## Footnote
This was related to votes on the Maastricht Treaty.
105
What did John Major famously call some of his cabinet ministers?
Bastards
## Footnote
This remark highlighted tensions within his cabinet.
106
What was John Major's political situation characterized by?
Struggles to control backbenchers and some cabinet members
## Footnote
His small majority contributed to these struggles.
107
What issue primarily divided the Conservative Party leading up to the 1997 election?
The party's relationship with the European Union
## Footnote
This division included differing views between committed Europhiles and Eurosceptics within the party.
108
Who were two prominent Europhiles in the Conservative Party during this time?
Ken Clark and Michael Heseltine
## Footnote
They represented the faction of the party that supported closer ties with the European Union.
109
Who were two prominent Eurosceptics in the Conservative Party during this time?
Michael Portillo and Michael Howard
## Footnote
They represented the faction of the party that opposed closer ties with the European Union.
110
What phrase did John Major use to call on the British people to return to traditional values?
"Get back to basics"
## Footnote
This speech aimed to reinforce traditional family values.
111
What types of scandals damaged the Conservative Party's reputation?
Sex scandals and financial scandals
## Footnote
These scandals included the 'Cash for Questions' affair and various personal misconducts among party members.
112
What was the 'Cash for Questions' affair?
An allegation that two Conservative backbenchers accepted payments to ask questions in the House of Commons
## Footnote
This scandal involved public scrutiny and legal battles that prolonged negative media coverage for the party.
113
What was the outcome of the 'Cash for Questions' affair for Neil Hamilton?
He sought to clear his name in court despite the ongoing scandal
## Footnote
The case continued to attract media attention leading up to the 1997 election.
114
Who was the 'anti-sleaze' candidate that fought Neil Hamilton in the 1997 election?
Martin Bell
## Footnote
Bell's candidacy was a direct response to the perception of corruption within the Conservative Party.
115
What perception contributed to the Conservative Party's defeat in the 1997 election?
The perception that the party was weak, divided, sleazy, and corrupt
## Footnote
This negative image was a significant factor influencing voter sentiment.
116
What did Theresa May label the Conservative Party in 2002?
"The nasty party"
## Footnote
This label reflected the party's reliance on a narrow demographic and criticisms of its attitudes towards minorities.
117
What was John Major's description of the Conservative Party manifesto of 1997?
Bold and far-reaching
## Footnote
This description reflects Major's view of the manifesto's ambitions.
118
What key themes were present in the Conservative Party manifesto of 1997?
Giving citizens choice and control, further reducing the role of the state
## Footnote
These themes continued from previous years' policies.
119
What was the most eye-catching policy in the Conservative Party manifesto of 1997?
A tax allowance proposal for traditional nuclear families
## Footnote
This policy allowed a non-working partner to pass their tax-free allowance to their working spouse.
120
True or False: The Conservative Party manifesto of 1997 included many eye-catching policies.
False
## Footnote
The manifesto was characterized by a lack of notable policies.
121
Fill in the blank: The Conservative Party manifesto of 1997 contributed to a sense that the party did not represent the _______ of the UK.
diverse families
## Footnote
This reflects the changing societal norms and family structures at the time.
122
What societal trend did the tax allowance proposal in the Conservative Party manifesto of 1997 fail to acknowledge?
Most women worked
## Footnote
The proposal was based on a traditional view of family roles that did not align with contemporary society.
123
What was Tony Blair's political image in 1997?
Young, charismatic, energetic, and even 'cool'
## Footnote
His popularity was in stark contrast to John Major's image at the time.
124
Who were some other prominent figures in the Labour Party during Blair's rise?
John Prescott, Gordon Brown
## Footnote
These figures were referred to as 'big beasts' on the Labour front bench.
125
What significant change did the Labour Party undergo after 1983?
The party changed its image and moved towards the center of the political spectrum
## Footnote
This shift was particularly evident after Tony Blair became leader in 1994.
126
What was the significance of the abandonment of Clause IV in 1995?
It marked a shift away from socialist policies of common ownership
## Footnote
This change was part of the Labour Party's transformation into 'New Labour'.
127
How did the Labour Party position itself after the election of Tony Blair?
It distanced itself from its left-wing history and trade union movement
## Footnote
This positioning aimed to appeal to a broader range of voters.
128
What image did Tony Blair project to appeal to voters?
A 'cool', 'Britpop' image
## Footnote
This appeal was targeted especially at middle-class and young voters.
129
What event did Tony Blair host to promote 'Cool Britannia'?
He invited members of Oasis and Blur to Number 10
## Footnote
This was part of his strategy to align himself with popular culture.
130
Who was marginalized within the Labour Party during the shift towards New Labour?
Figures from the left, such as Jeremy Corbyn
## Footnote
This marginalization was part of the broader strategy to appeal to centrist voters.
131
What was one of the key reasons for Labour losing the 1992 general election according to Tony Blair?
The allegation of 'Labour’s tax bombshell' regarding increasing the basic rate of tax
## Footnote
This allegation led to Labour pledging not to raise income tax rates.
132
What were the five pledges on Labour's pledge card?
* Cut class sizes to 30 or under for 5, 6 and 7 year olds
* Fast-track punishment for persistent young offenders
* Cut NHS waiting lists by treating an extra 100,000 patients
* Get 250,000 under-25 year-olds off benefit and into work
* No rise in income tax rates
## Footnote
These pledges aimed to appeal to a broad electorate, including those who had not historically voted Labour.
133
How did Labour plan to cut class sizes for young children?
By using money from the assisted places scheme
## Footnote
This initiative aimed to provide financial support for low-income families to access private education.
134
What was the goal of fast-tracking punishment for persistent young offenders?
To halve the time from arrest to sentencing
## Footnote
This policy aimed to address concerns about youth crime effectively.
135
What was the target for cutting NHS waiting lists?
To treat an extra 100,000 patients
## Footnote
This was to be achieved by releasing £100 million saved from NHS red tape.
136
How did Labour plan to help under-25 year-olds according to their manifesto?
By getting 250,000 under-25 year-olds off benefit and into work using money from a windfall levy on the privatised utilities
## Footnote
This policy aimed to tackle youth unemployment.
137
What did Labour pledge regarding income tax rates?
No rise in income tax rates and a cut in VAT on heating to 5%
## Footnote
This was part of their strategy to appeal to voters concerned about taxation.
138
What image did Labour aim to shift with their manifesto policies?
From being seen as soft on crime and pro-welfare to being tough on crime and fiscally responsible
## Footnote
This shift was crucial for appealing to a wider voter base.
139
What were some proposed constitutional reforms mentioned in Labour's manifesto?
* Lords reform
* Freedom of information act
* Referendums on devolution to Scotland and Wales
* Changing the voting system
## Footnote
These proposals aimed to project a sense of radicalism while maintaining a centrist economic stance.
140
What were some key slogans used in Labour's campaign?
* 'Britain deserves better'
* 'New Labour: New Britain'
* 'Labour’s Coming Home'
## Footnote
These slogans helped to create a strong campaign identity.
141
What role did John Prescott play in Labour's campaign?
He shored up the 'core vote' and ensured traditional Labour voters were not disillusioned
## Footnote
Prescott's involvement was crucial in maintaining support among long-time Labour supporters.
142
What image did Labour try to project towards business during their campaign?
A 'pro-Business' image
## Footnote
This was a strategic move to counter perceptions of Labour as anti-business from the 1980s.
