Case study: 1997 Election

Who won the 1992 election?

Major becomes PM with a 21 seat majority

What went wrong during Majors Premiership?

There were many by elections, in which conservatives lost seats

In 1993, there was black Wednesday, this caused a recession with high interest rates and inflation, leading to tax rises.

In 1995, Major just about kept power as he endured rebellions and lost in a parliamentary confidence vote.

How did Blair revolutionise labour?

Through changing the parties constitution, offering the third way.

Improved media relations and modernised the party and its politics, as well as its marketing

What date was the 1997 election?

1st May, with campaigns commencing 6 weeks prior.

What was the result of the 1997 election?

The Labour Party led by Blair won a stunning victory, gaining 48 more MPs than Attlee in 1945.

This was the largest majority since 1832, a majority of 179 seats.

Conservative vote share fell to 30.7%

What happened in the 2001 and 2005 elections

in 2001 labour lost just six seats

In 2005, their majority was reduced to 55

What was the EU social chapter?

A council og Europe treaty that guarantees fundamental social+ economic rights as a counterpart to the ECHR

What was the golden rule of public spending?

Set up by Gordon brown, it was a promise to balance the books over the economic cycle, by only borrowing for capital projects not day-to-day spending.

Federal europe- definition

The process by which the Eu moves from a confederation→ a federation, with a single state & government.

What was the treaty of Amsterdam?

Signed on Oct. 2nd 1997, member states agreed to devolve certain powers to the European Parliament.

What were the main points of contention between Labour + conservatives?

On Europe + constitutional reforms.

How were Labour + Conservative similar in many ways?

New Labour moved the party to the right considerably with consensus on the economy and law & order in particular

What were the disagreements over Europe?

Both parties were pro-eu, however, Conservatives were staunchly against the social chapter, Eu federalisation and further integration.

Labour were in favour of further integration + these policies.

Neither party would adopt the Euro without a referendum.

What were the disagreements over the constitution?

Conservatives advocated for the status quo, with no major changes.

Labour wanted Devolution, a reform of the House of Lords, to make Govt. more transparent and enshrine the ECHR into UK law.

Back to basics - definition

A political theme for the Conservatives, introduced by major in 1993. Promoting traditional family values.

Cash for questions affair - definition

A scandal where several conservative MPs, including some ministers, where paid to ask questions in Parliament by lobbyists on behalf of wealthy individuals.

How were canvassing tactics different for both parties?

Conservatives targeted more safe seats, whereas labour went for more marginal + difficult seats - more confident.

How was the media influential?

Major right-leaning papers like the Daily Mail and the Sun backed Blair, criticising the Conservative party.

Class dealignment - definition

The weakening of the historic preference of particular social classes to vote for certain political parties

Partisan dealignment - definition

The weakening of the trend for voters to identify strongly with their political party.

What swing was there from the Conservatives to Labour?

10%, the largest majority since WW2

How much did labour’s vote and seat share increase since 1992 election?

Vote share up 8%, while seat share up 21%

How rigidly did parties align with class after ww2?

2/3 of working classes voted for labour and ¾ of middle classes voted for conservatives.

Why did partisan dealignment occur?

- Increased education and media scrutiny

- Loss of confidence in main parties over issues of the 1970s.

- Deindustrialisation led to declining class boundaries

- Catch-all parties, less ideological

- Labour won much more of the middle class vote.

Argument that the support of the middle classes was the most important reason for Blair’s landslide

Traditionally conservative voters moved to labour in huge numbers, they are importantly the most marginal voters in society.

Other arguments for Blair’s landslide

- Failure of Major’s govt. with multiple scandals and ‘Black Wednesday’ weakening the confidence of the public.

- Role of the media vital in changing perceptions

- FPTP, votes dont directly translate to seats

- Other factors like age or gender