Voting behaviours

Social Class (Definition)

Hierarchical grouping based on socioeconomic status, income, wealth, education, occupation, and social networks.

The 'Red Wall'

Areas in Midlands and North England that typically voted Labour in every election.

2019 'Red Wall' Outcome

The 'Red Wall' turned blue, voting for the Conservatives.

Reason for 'Red Wall' 2019 Shift (Brexit)

Voters wanted Conservatives to deliver on the 'Leave' Brexit vote.

Reason for 'Red Wall' 2019 Shift (Leadership)

Loss in confidence in Jeremy Corbyn as the Labour leader.

AB Social Class Voting Tendency

Tend to vote Conservative to seek lower taxes due to higher wealth.

DE Social Class Voting Tendency

Tend to vote Labour as they often want more welfare and social reform.

1964 vs 2019 DE Class Labour Vote

Dropped from 64% in 1964 to only 39% in 2019.

2019 Election Class Trend

Conservatives received the most votes across all social classes.

2024 Election Class Trend

All social classes voted for Labour more than other parties.

Age and Voting (18-24s)

Typically vote Labour (41%) over Conservative (8%).

Age and Voting (65+)

Typically vote Conservative (42%) over Labour (22%).

Education and Voting (Degrees)

47% with a degree voted Labour/Lib Dem

only 23% without a degree did.

Gender Voting 1979

Women consistently voted Conservative (47%) over Labour (35%).

Gender Voting 2024

Men voted 34% Conservative and 23% Labour.

Ethnicity and Labour

Labour historically passed major anti-discrimination legislation, attracting minority voters.

Regional Voting: London

Dominated by the Labour Party.

Regional Voting: South England

Traditionally a very Conservative region.

Regional Voting: Scotland

Moved from a Labour stronghold to SNP dominance in 2010.

Voter Turnout Trend

Overall decrease from 70-80% averages to 60-70% averages.

Marginal vs Safe Seats Turnout

Marginal seats have higher turnout than safe seats.

Youth Voter Abstention Reasons

Disillusion with conventional politics and interest in single issues over broad ones.

Group Voting Theory

Voting based on which intersectional group (class, age, etc.) an individual belongs to.

Individual Voting Theory

Voting based on personal benefit and what works best for the individual.

Valence Voting

Voting for the party/leader perceived as most competent (e.g., Margaret Thatcher).

Rational Choice Voting

Voting based on self-interest, such as economic strength.

Issue Voting

Voting based on a single specific issue, like Brexit in 2019.

Broadcasting Neutrality

UK TV and radio stations are legally bound to remain neutral and balanced.

Media's Role: Information

Informs the public and raises awareness on key political issues.

Media's Role: Accountability

Holds the government to account by exposing mistakes and scandals.

Newspaper Partisanship

Reporting can be biased

most UK newspapers favor the Conservatives.

'It's The Sun Wot Won It'

The Sun's claim after relentlessly working against Labour's Neil Kinnock in 1992.

Social Media Risks

Spread of 'fake news', clickbait, and platforms for groups with bad intentions.

Impact of Party Leaders

Voters judge parties by leaders' perceived competence, consistency, and trustworthiness.

2010 Leadership Perception

Labour's Gordon Brown was seen as indecisive by the public.

2019 Leadership Perception

Boris Johnson seen as charismatic/decisive

Jeremy Corbyn seen as controversial.

Economic Credibility (Labour)

Labour struggled to regain economic trust after the 2007 financial crisis.

Lib Dem Tuition Fee Promise

The party struggled after breaking their 2011 promise not to increase fees.

Manifesto Credibility

Voters evaluate if policies are realistic

2019 Labour policies were seen as unrealistic.

Retrospective Voting

Judging parties based on their past performance while in power.

Incumbency Fatigue

Voters grow tired of a party after ~10 years (e.g., 1997-2010, 2010-2024).

Tactical Voting

Voting for a candidate to block a party one strongly opposes.

2024 Reform UK Shift

Many Conservative voters switched to Reform out of anger with their party.

Opinion Polls and Tactical Voting

Polls predicting a Labour-SNP coalition in 2015 increased Conservative turnout.

Local Issue Example (2021)

Lib Dems won Chesham and Amersham due to HS2 railway frustration.

Local Issue Example (2024)

Lib Dems won Henley due to outrage over River Thames pollution.

2019 Conservative Seat Count

The Conservative Party won 365 seats.

Sun Readership Decline

Dropped from 4 million in 1990 to below 1 million recently.

Media Hyperbole

Increased commercial competition leads to sensationalist reporting that distracts from issues.

E-petitions

An alternative way young people participate in political activities.