Voting Behaviour and the Media Flashcards
(49 cards)
1979: To what extent did did age influence the voting behaviour of the electorate?
Conservative share of 18-24 year old vote went from 24% in 1974 to 42% in 1979; almost doubled.
Each age group voted conservative.
1979: To what extent did did gender influence the voting behaviour of the electorate?
Increases share: 1974 39%, 1979 47%
1979: To what extent was there partisan dealignment in voting behaviour in the 1979 election?
C2: 1974 26% voted conservative, 1979 41% voted conservative; on par with labour;
DE: 1974 22% vote conservative, 1979 34% vote conservative; Labour still leads but significant gain in tory voters.
Demonstrates shift in traditional labour votes towards tory.
Why is there a class shift in favour of the conservatives?
-Winter of discontent
-IMF Bailout
-1973 Oil crises
-Failures of labour
-failure of lib-lab pact.
What was the 1973 oil crisis?
Price of oil trebled -> collapse of industry and recession -> huge inflation exacerbated by Trade Union strength which caused wage- inflationary spiral-> 3 day working week fails to help-> demonstrates strength of TU
What was the IMF bailout?
Callaghan borrows £3.9bn from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) -> in return IMF allowed to audit Callaghan’s annual budgets -> worsens Labour/ Trade Union Relations.
What was the Winter of discontent?
Callaghan maintained 5% cap on public wage increases -> prompts wave of strikes in public service workers (Eg hospital staff, waste collectors) -> public services come to a halt and bad winter weather causes a drop in productivity and trade.
What was the Lib-Lab pact?
Following a series of by-election losses in 1976-79, Callaghan loses control of HoC-> 1977 makes a 16- month pact with the liberals to ensure gov survival.
Why did the Lib- Lab pact fail?
1978 Liberals withdraw support, in order to support general election to solve the hung parliament-> Callaghan survives 2 votes of no confidence but loses 1979 vote of no confidence put forward by Margaret Thatcher.
Why is the media significant in politics?
Strongly favour one party; able to convince readership to vote in a particular way.
Significant in scrutiny: able to hold politicians to account.
Why isn’t the media significant in politics?
Overstated in swaying opinion: reinforces rather than changes.
Overstated in holding government to account: biased media means this function is less effective.
What did the Telegraph publish in favour of the Tories in 2019 and 2024?
2019- published the conservative manifesto.
2024- published a tactical voting guide to prevent Starmer getting a Landslide.
Impact of TV debates: Theresa May
Theresa May refusal to debate Corbyn in 2017 made her look weak.
Shows politicians view outcomes of interviews and debates as decisive in dictating their popularity and support.
Impact of TV debates: Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson refusing interview by Andrew Neil since it’d make him look bad and consequently hinder his campaign.
Evidence of media holding politicians to account: Scandal under Johnson?
Partygate: receiving leaks and releasing story gradually maximised damage done.
Evidence of media holding politicians to account: Liz Truss’ radio interviews
Radio interviews with Liz Truss exposed her failings in economic policy and contributed to her popularity.
Evidence that reading right wing news doesn’t sway votes: What percentage of Daily Mail readers intended to vote labour in 2024?
Best for Britain Poll 2024: 52% of Daily Mail
Evidence that reading right wing news doesn’t sway votes: What percentage of Sun readers voted labour in 2017?
YouGov poll 2017: 30% of Sun readers voted labour.
People consume media that they already agree with; media reinforces rather than changes opinion.
Evidence of media holding politicians to account: scandal in 2024.
2024 Post Office horizon scandal: ITV documentary brought issue to light and as a result of this media attention Government took action by organising compensation for those wrongly accused.
Evidence that media reporting is biased: BBC
BBC allegations of bias when they broadcasted a false story about labour activists pushing a conservative advisor.
Evidence that media reporting is biased: Gov controlling media presentation
2023 Suella Braverman’s controversial trip to Rwanda only brought right wing journalists such as from the Daily Mail and from the Telegraph; meant Rwanda policy was reported on in a good light.
What is Labour no longer associated with?
-Labour no longer associated with Blue Collar Working class.
Evidence of class dealignment in 2024 election: what percentage of DE voters voted labour pre-1979 vs in 2024?
64% vs 34%
Evidence of class dealignment in 2024 election: most likely groups to vote Reform.
-C2 and DE more likely to vote reform than middle/upper class voters.
