Voting Behaviour and the Media Flashcards
How do classes vote traditionally?
The middle class would vote conservative and the lower class would vote Labour but in recent years class is becoming a less prominent factor.
Why is class less relevant in politics?
Class dealignment and more social mobility (ability to move between classes)
How does age effect voting?
Age is becoming an increasingly polarising factor that effects voting. Younger people tend to vote Labour and as people get older they vote Conservative.
How does gender effect voting?
Traditionally: Men (workers) vote Labour, while Women (house-hold) vote conservative. *but there was a change when women entered the work force and Labour prioritised education.
Today: The gap is very close now. Women are more left leaning and more interested in specific policies.
Why is there a disparity between age and voting?
Young people care about: - Education - Environmental issues - Social issues/equality Old people care about: - Better pensions - Stable housing - Have more money
How does ethnicity effect voting?
- Immigrant vote labour & policies that favour immigration (conservative are anti-immigration)
- Traditionally minority ethnic groups would not vote conservative (Labour introduced Race Regulations Acts in 1965/68/76.
How does education effect voting?
Traditionally: more educated = conservative Now: more educated = labour This is because in the past the higher educated were richer (so it tied in with class), now the more educated are more aware of issues and have a better understanding of them also class isn't an issue.
How does region effect voting?
Major cities vote Labour: where the workers are, more ethnically diverse, better educated
Rural places vote conservatives: SE = wealthy + low unionism, not ethnically diverse.
