Short term factors affecting voter behaviour

Party policies

increase in issue voting

economy, Health and immigration

difference in party policy can increase turnout

Issue voting can turn voters to extremes (reform, green)

Party leaders

Margaret Thatcher’s authoritative leading attracted significant number of conservative votes

Tony Blair’s popularity in 1997 and 2001 yielded landslides

Nick Clegg’s unpopularity saw Lib dems reduced to 8 MPs

Party Campaigns

Don’t have greatest affect on voters choices

often dependent on leaders character again

World events

Factors like the war in Gaza can have a big impact on voting despite being out of the hands of the leaders