Voting Behaviour and The Media: Election Case Studies
1979 1997 2010 2017
Key facts Thatcher (C) Blair (L) won Cameron (C) May (C) won
won against against Major. formed against
Callaghan. Change coalition gov Corbyn.
Change election (Cs with Clegg Return to 2-
election for 18yrs). (LD) against party system
(since ’74). Brown. (SNP lost 21
Impact = L 1dt coalition MPs and 18 of
split, Cs move since WW1. those went to
right and LDs initial C/L).
abandon wave of
post-war support fell as
consensus. broke
promises.
Basic Economic NOT Brown blamed 3 main
context decline and economic or for 2008 parties
strikes. social issues. crash. disagree on
Triggered by Recession in 06/05 = hung Brexit, tax,
nationalist ‘90s followed Parl. welfare
parties by steady 11/05 = benefits (e.g.
withdrawing growth, low coalition talks pensions),
support after unemploymen LDs and Cs. NHS funds,
devolution ref t and low Brown resign. education
results. inflation. Clegg = (e.g.
deputy. introduction
12/05 = of new
official. selective
schools).
Conservativ Restore Unpop policy. n/a Leave EU,
es economy by Minority gov control
controlling by 1996. immigration,
inflation. Split over EU. UK BoRs not
Balance for Major = HRA.
trade unions. unpop. Corporation
Incentivise Sex scandals. tax fall by
work. Financial 17%.
Uphold Parl. scandals Replace ‘triple
Family life. (‘cash for Qs’ lock’
Strengthen – 2 MPs pensions.
defence. accept £8bn more
payment from NHS funding.
lobbyist to £4bn for
ask Qs in education.
HoC).
Labour Curb inflation. NL, Blair drop n/a Honour ref
Improve clause IV but more
industrial 1995. social and
relations with Centralised, green
trade unions. spin doctors. approach to
Employment. ‘Things can Brexit.
Enlarge only get Tax up on big
freedom and better’. earners.
1979 1997 2010 2017
Key facts Thatcher (C) Blair (L) won Cameron (C) May (C) won
won against against Major. formed against
Callaghan. Change coalition gov Corbyn.
Change election (Cs with Clegg Return to 2-
election for 18yrs). (LD) against party system
(since ’74). Brown. (SNP lost 21
Impact = L 1dt coalition MPs and 18 of
split, Cs move since WW1. those went to
right and LDs initial C/L).
abandon wave of
post-war support fell as
consensus. broke
promises.
Basic Economic NOT Brown blamed 3 main
context decline and economic or for 2008 parties
strikes. social issues. crash. disagree on
Triggered by Recession in 06/05 = hung Brexit, tax,
nationalist ‘90s followed Parl. welfare
parties by steady 11/05 = benefits (e.g.
withdrawing growth, low coalition talks pensions),
support after unemploymen LDs and Cs. NHS funds,
devolution ref t and low Brown resign. education
results. inflation. Clegg = (e.g.
deputy. introduction
12/05 = of new
official. selective
schools).
Conservativ Restore Unpop policy. n/a Leave EU,
es economy by Minority gov control
controlling by 1996. immigration,
inflation. Split over EU. UK BoRs not
Balance for Major = HRA.
trade unions. unpop. Corporation
Incentivise Sex scandals. tax fall by
work. Financial 17%.
Uphold Parl. scandals Replace ‘triple
Family life. (‘cash for Qs’ lock’
Strengthen – 2 MPs pensions.
defence. accept £8bn more
payment from NHS funding.
lobbyist to £4bn for
ask Qs in education.
HoC).
Labour Curb inflation. NL, Blair drop n/a Honour ref
Improve clause IV but more
industrial 1995. social and
relations with Centralised, green
trade unions. spin doctors. approach to
Employment. ‘Things can Brexit.
Enlarge only get Tax up on big
freedom and better’. earners.
