Evaluate how far the voting behaviour of the British electorate has altered since the 1950s

Three points for 1950s

1. class influence
2. gender influence
3. age influence

Three points for now

1. partisan dealignment
2. no gender influence
3. loss of relevance for age

P1: how does class influence

traditionally reliable

working class = least wealth, manual jobs so support social democratic policies

middle class support Conservative - promotion of business, better economic policy, lower tax rates

P1: class influence - examples

1950 General Election

63% working class voted Labour

67% middle and upper-middle class voted Conservative

P2: what caused partisan dealignment

deindustrialisation changed the economy

diversified society

standards of living have risen

more individualistic values

P2: partisan dealignment - example

2019 General Election

Conservatives won over the ‘red wall’

P3: how did gender influence?

women support Conservative - tradition, economic stability, family values

men = workforce so slightly support Labour - socialist ideas e.g. higher wages, better conditions

P3: gender influence - example

1950 General Election:

57% of women voted Conservative

P4: how has gender lost influence?

large decline since 1970s

more women in the workforce

parties are less aligned with traditional values

P4: loss of gender influence - example

by 1977 there was no clear trend linking gender and voting behaviour

P5: how did age influence?

younger people support change so Labour

older people support traditional values, lower taxes so Conservative

turnout was 84% - higher than currently

life experiences - older generation experienced two world wars

P5: age influence - example

1950 General Election:

60% of 60+ voted Conservative

53% of -25 voted Labour

P6: how has age lost reliability?

still relevant but must also factor in effect of age on turnout

younger people are less likely to vote

massively decreased turnout since 1950

statistics are inaccurate

people have had different experiences and values are changing but still not a socialist government

P6: age and turnout - example

2019 General Election:

68% overall turnout

47% 18-24