2019 General Election

When BoJO succeeded May as PM in July 2019, he inherited a minority government and a party divided over the nature of brexit

he called a GE for december and campaigned with a clear promise to GET BREXIT DONE

Labour was led by Corbyn who gained a 9.6% swing against May

Labour’s Campaign:

• commited to renegotiating the terms of Brexit and then offer a second referendum

• many perceived their approach as ambiguous, with Corbyn’s personal approach as questionable

• they promised to increase public spending

• BoJo had to focus on government competence as he had only been in power since the summer

Conservative’s Campaign:

• centered on “Get Brexit Done” promise after 3.5 years of gridlock

• BoJo was front and centre of this campaign which leant into his appeal and track record as a winner

• wanted to focus investment on the NHS, education and policing while introducing a points-based immigration system

Results:

Conservatives - 365 seats - 43.6% of vote - won 48 seats

Labour - 202 seats - 32% of vote - lost 60 seats

Lib Dems - 11 seats - 12% of vote - lost 1 seat

SNP - 48 seats - 4% of vote - won 13 seats

Conservatives keep the ‘leave’ voters however Labour lose some of their ‘remain’ voters as Labour’s campaign on Brexit was ambiguous

The results confirmed pre-existing trends of partisan and class dealignment

Labour increased its vote share in cosmopolitan and pro EU areas

Tories did well in more Eurosceptic areas with a declining industrial base