General Elections and Referendums

Main features of the outcome of the 1979 GE

• Labour’s representation went down by 62 and the Conservatives’ up by 50

• The Conservative majority was 43

• No small parties won a significant number of seats 

• The Scottish National Party lost 9 of their 11 seats in Scotland, reflecting a loss of interest in devolution at that point 

Main issues at the time of the 1979 GE

• There had been a wave of public sector strikes in 1978-1979. People punished Labour for not controlling trade union power.

• The economy was in a poor state, in particular concerning inflation, though this had been falling. Labour became associated with high inflation. 

• The extent to which the state should regulate and control industry as opposed to the operation of free markets was an issue.

5 reasons for the Conservative win at the 1979 GE

• Labour ran a poor election campaign, implying that the country should not elect a woman. 

• Labour was not trusted on the economy.

• Labour was beginning to appear disunited between its left wing and its moderates. 

• The Conservatives promise to expand home ownership was popular. 

• The growing size of the middle class and shrinking working class gave the Conservative a natural advantage.

Main features of the outcome of the 1997 GE

• It was a landslide victory for the Labour Party under Blair.

• The Liberal Democrat made a breakthrough, winning 46 seats at Westminster. 

• The effects of the electoral system exaggerated the scale of Labour’s victory — 43% of the vote was converted into 63% of the seats. 

Main issues at the time of the 1997 GE

• The 1990s had seen an economic recession for which the Conservatives were blamed. 

• The National Health Service was considered to be in decline. 

• Education funding and standards were falling. 

• Crime was at high levels. 

• Tory sleaze and sex scandals during the 90s.

Main influences on the outcome of the 1997 GE

• Blair was seen charismatic, dynamic leader while John Major, the Conservative prime minister, viewed as dull and uninspiring. 

• Blair, with his ‘third way’ policies, way able to appeal to the growing middle class. He succeeded in shedding his party’s reputation for being too socialist and reckless with public finances. 

• The electorate was weary of many years of Conservative rule and wanted a change. 

• The media showed strong for Labour.

Main features of the outcome of the 2010 GE

• There was a dramatic outcome — the first hung parliament since February 1974.

• The Conservative Party won 36.1% of the popular vote. Along with the Liberal Democrats 23%, the coalition government held 59.1% of popular support. 

• The Liberal Democrats continued their resurgence by winning 23% of the popular vote and 57 seats. 

Main issues at the time of the 2010 GE

• This was almost a ‘one issue’ election. The state of the economy in the face of the major financial crisis engulfing the capitalist world at the time was the overwhelming concern. 

• The Labour Party was blamed for the state of the UK financial system. 

• The alarming growth in government debt brought back memories of Labour as a ‘tax-and spend party’. 

• A key issue was whether the UK should spend its way out of the crisis or institute a programme of austerity (higher taxes and lower government spending) to deal with it.

The main influences of the outcome of the 2010 GE

• Leadership was a key issue. Prime minister Gordon Brown was regarded as weak and indecisive as well as dull and lacking charisma. David Cameron presented a fresher, more decisive image. 

• During the campaign the spectre of a coalition between Labour and the SNO raised in the media, as a hung parliament was expected. This proved to be an unpopular prospect for many voters, so they switched to the Conservatives. 

• The opinion polls, which pointed to a hung parliament, had an influence as they may have changed some voters’ minds about which party to support. 

• There was a relentless press campaign criticising Brown as a leader. 

What is a referendum?

A referendum is a vote on a particular issue, usually requiring a yes/no response.

When was the first national referendum held and what was the reasoning for it?

The first national referendum in the UK was called in 1975 by Harold Wilson when he gave the electorate a vote on whether they wanted to stay in the EEC. 

What are the four circumstances where referendums are held?

Legitimising a major government initiative

Getting a government out of a difficult situation

A result of a deal between two parties

In response to pressure to hold a referendum

(1997) Referendum Topic: Establishment of a Scottish Parliament

Yes: 74%

No: 25%

Turnout: 60.4%

Region: Scotland

(1997) Referendum topic: Tax varying powers for Scottish parliament

Yes: 63.5%

No: 36.5%

Turnout: 60.4%

Region: Scotland

(1997) Referendum topic: Establishment of a Welsh Assembly

Yes: 50.3%

No: 49.7%

Turnout: 50.1%

Region: Wales

(1998) Referendum topic: Having a London mayor and Assembly

Yes: 72%

No: 28%

Turnout: 34%

Region: London

(1998) Referendum topic: Approval of the Good Friday Agreement

Yes: 71.1%

No: 28.9%

Turnout: 48%

Region: Northern Ireland

(2004) Referendum topic: