Short term voting factors

What are valence factors

When the part policies are very similar so voters, vote for the party they perceive as most competent

What are the 2 key valence factors

Competence and leadership

How can it be argued that Leadership is very important

They can influence swing voters and unify their party. The more in-touch a leader is presented the better

What arguments can be made that leadership is not that significant

Local MP’s can be more important. Issue voting and social factors are at play

What is an example, that Leadership is important

In 1983, Thatcher had a reputation having a strong and focused approach

Example that leadership isn’t important (Local MP)

Despite the Conservative decline in the 2024 election, Jeremy hunt was re-elected as MP as he was seen as a trusted and competent MP

Example that leadership isnt important (Competence voting)

Theresa May was elected despite her lack of appearance on televised debates and awkwardness on camera

What is governing competence

How capable the government have been and how this affects votersE

Example that competence matters (1997)

John Major government not able to escape the scandals and vitally the “Black Wednesday” incident in 1992.

Example that competence matters (2019)

Corbyn losing voters as he was seen as economically incompetent

What was “Black wednesday”

It was when GBP had depreciated so far, Britain was forced to withdraw from the ERM