30. Voting behaviour: Social influences

Define social class

refers to a group of people who share the same socio-economic position. This is determined by your occupational background

What are the main tiers of social class?

• AB - higher managerial roles and professionals

• C1 - Clerical workers (teachers)

• C2 - Skilled manual workers (hairdressers)

• DE - Semi-skilled, unskilled

When was social class a big influence on who you voted for?

the 60s and 70s

What percentage of people voted the way their social class voted?

80%

What has been the general shift to do with social class?

C1 and C2 have become floating voters and they’ve become essential part of the outcome of the election

Who typically voted for the Conservatives?

AB voters

Who typically voted for Labour?

C2 and DE voters

Why did voters typically vote similar to their social class?

• Voting was a part of a social class's identity

• Many areas have deep roots within the community and parties (the north and labour)

• The economic policies can benefit a certain class (Welfare state and the working class)

Define floating voters

an unpredictable voter who can change their vote during an election; they don’t align themselves with a party

What has been in decline in recent years?

Class voting

Define class dealignment

process by which individuals no longer identity themselves as belonging to a social class

Define partisan dealignment

process by which individuals no longer identity themselves as belonging with a party (long-term)

Define core voters

Voters who will invariably support one of the main parties

What percentage of AB voters votes conservative in 1997, 2010 and 2015?

• 1997: 59%

• 2010: 40%

• 2015: 45%

What percentage of DE voters voted Conservative in 1997, 2010 and 2015?

• 1997: 59%

• 2010: 40%

• 2015: 41%

How does gender have an impact in voting behaviour?

Gender doesn’t have a major impact on voting as it is too big a social group to explain voting behaviour

How do many parties promote female participation?

• Increase the visibility of women in politics

• Cameron increased the number of female MPs

• Labour put gender impact assessments when the put through legislation

Why was there a slight shift in voting behaviour in terms of gender?

• Before there weren’t many women in the workplace but many at home, many women voted Conservative as they promised to lower prices in shops

• After many women emerged into the work place, they started to vote Labour because they were workers

• Now more women vote for parties who promote education and health

What percentage of women voted for Labour and Conservative in 1979?

• Labour: 35%

• Conservative: 47%

How does education influence voting behaviour?

• Its becoming a bigger factor

• Now more uni graduates and academics vote labour as they are categorised as more socially liberal

• Now more socially conservative and lower educated people vote for the Conservatives

What percentage of people voted for Labour if they had a degree in 2017?

47%

What percentage of people voted for the conservatives if they did have any formal education in 2017?

53%

What happened in the 80s that caused age to influence voting behaviour?

In the 80s and 90s, the economy changed from industry jobs to fewer blue-collar jobs; this lead to more middle class people buying houses and not needing a big state; now younger people need a welfare state

How else does age influence voting behaviour?

Younger people tend to be more progressive and vote for Labour

How many 18-24 year olds say they will vote Conservative in 2024?

4%

In 2019, what percentage of 65+ voted Conservative?

57%

How does ethnicity influence voting behaviour?

• The Conservatives have a history of anti-immigration stance so many ethnic minorities tend to vote Labour instead.

• A majority of BAME voters are in C2 or DE groups so they vote for Labour

• This may change over time as there is more equality but ethnicity isn’t a major determining factor

How does region influence voting behaviour?

• Region is closely linked to wealth and social class since wealth isn’t evenly distrusted between the regions

• The south traditionally votes Conservative whilst the north and Wales vote Labour

How does Brexit influence voting behaviour?

If Brexit is a factor then many leave voters have changed their minds and are turning their vote to Labour