Voting Behaviour - Region Flashcards
(11 cards)
1951 General Election – Region Still Largely Industrial vs Rural Divide
• North/South divide beginning to emerge, but not fully developed.
• Labour performed best in industrial regions: South Wales, North-East, and Scotland.
• Conservatives did better in rural and southern England.
• However, class was more important than region at this stage.
• Region not a decisive factor, but emerging as a trend.
1997 General Election – Labour Landslide Across Most Regions
• Labour achieved a nationwide swing, but especially strong in North East, North West, and Wales.
• Even in traditionally Conservative Southern England, Labour won significant seats (e.g., Hove).
• Regional divide temporarily weakened by Blair’s broad appeal and focus on “Middle England”.
• Labour retained stronghold in urban Scotland, Wales, and the North.
• Region relevant, but Labour won broadly across regions.
1997 General Election – Labour Landslide Across Most Regions
• Labour achieved a nationwide swing, but especially strong in North East, North West, and Wales.
• Even in traditionally Conservative Southern England, Labour won significant seats (e.g., Hove).
• Regional divide temporarily weakened by Blair’s broad appeal and focus on “Middle England”.
• Labour retained stronghold in urban Scotland, Wales, and the North.
• Region relevant, but Labour won broadly across regions.
2001 General Election – Regional Patterns Stabilise
• Labour retained dominance in Scotland, Wales, and Northern England.
• Conservatives rebuilt support in rural Southern England, but failed to penetrate urban or northern areas.
• Region clearly linked to party support, reinforcing Labour’s urban/northern base.
• Regional divide important, though turnout was low.
2005 General Election – Region Remains Predictable
• Labour still dominated North, Wales, and urban Scotland, though with reduced majorities.
• Conservatives gained ground in the South, but remained weak in urban centres.
• Regional divide persisted, with a clear North-South split.
• Liberal Democrats strong in South West and university towns.
• Region an important factor, especially in voter loyalty.
2010 General Election – Coalition & Regional Gaps
• Conservatives regained strength in South and Midlands, remained weak in Scotland and Northern urban areas.
• Labour strongholds held firm in the North East, North West, and inner cities.
• Liberal Democrats made gains in South West, but lost some urban support.
• Clear regional divide, with Conservatives lacking reach in Scotland and inner cities.
• Region very relevant, reflected in coalition-building.
2015 General Election – SNP Surge & English Divide
• SNP landslide in Scotland: won 56/59 seats, destroying Labour’s Scottish base.
• Labour remained strong in urban North, weak in the South.
• Conservatives dominated Southern England.
• First election where Labour became mostly an “urban North and Wales” party.
• Regional voting extremely significant, especially the Scottish realignment.
2017 General Election – Some Regional Fluidity Returns
• Labour gained in cities across England, particularly London, Manchester, and university towns.
• Conservatives held ground in rural South and Midlands.
• Scotland more competitive again, with SNP losing some seats.
• North/South divide persisted, but younger, urban voters challenged the pattern.
• Region still mattered, but age and education began intersecting with it.
2019 General Election – “Red Wall” Collapse
• Conservatives won working-class seats in the North and Midlands (“Red Wall”) – e.g., Bolsover, Blyth Valley.
• Marked a major regional realignment based on Brexit stance more than traditional region-class loyalty.
• Labour retained cities like London, Manchester, Liverpool.
• Scotland voted SNP again, England overwhelmingly Conservative.
• Region highly significant, especially due to Brexit and identity politics.
2024 General Election – Labour Rebuilds Regional Base
• Labour made strong gains in former Red Wall seats, reclaiming parts of Northern England.
• Maintained dominance in urban centres and Wales.
• SNP losses in Scotland, with Labour regaining ground there.
• Conservatives now increasingly limited to rural Southern England and a few Midlands areas.
• Regional divide reshaped again, Labour more geographically spread than since 1997.
• Region was very important, but Labour’s appeal became more cross-regional.
2025 by election: Hartleypool
Reform won, labours 16 th safest seat.
