The 2015 General Election saw the Conservatives win an overall majority, 12 seats ahead of the Labour party and was said to be the most unpredictable election in a generation. With scores of the population having turned away from traditional styles of voting, a nation of swing voters emerged (Cowley and Kavanagh). Whilst it is true to say that social class and age remain fundamental components, it could also be said that more modern short term factors such as issue voting and the media have become more important in illustrating current voting behaviour. This essay examines the extent to which these factors of voting behaviour helps us to understand the result of the 2015 UK general election.
Social class had been considered the most significant factor in voting behaviour since the study of political behaviour began. Traditionally, Labour is typically seen as the party for the working class, while the Conservatives appeal more to the upper and middle classes (Leach et al, 2011:81). For example, in 1945-58 only 10% of the AB social class voted for Labour during this period, while 85% voted Conservative. This is compared to Labour gaining 65% of the vote in the social class DE, with Conservative 30% of the vote (Leach et al, 2011: 81). This trend of voting still exists as The Conservatives gained 45% of the vote and Labour 26% in the AB social class, while in the DE social grouping Labour achieved 41% and Conservatives 27% of the vote in 2015 general election (Ipsos MORI, 2015). However, in the 2015 election, social classes voted in far fewer numbers for the political party they would conventionally vote for, this is referred to as class dealignment. One reason for this can be due to a decline in the traditional working class. This is because of the changes in employment patterns, educational opportunities and the rising standard of living, which has lead to a blur in class divisions making it harder to identify to a single party (Heath, 2015: 180). Seats that Labour and Conservative parties previously had considered ‘safe’ seats are no longer a certainty. For example, the SNP won all seats in the working class heartlands of Glasgow, normally dominated by Labour (British Election Study, 2016). Therefore, although statistics suggest that voting behaviour and class are still linked to some extent in helping us understand the 2015 general election, voters are moving away from their natural class reducing its significance. In Britain age is indeed a strong predictor of voter choice. Older generations are much more likely to vote for the Conservative party due to a fear of change, while younger voters are more supportive of Labour or the Liberal Democrats with a strong attitude towards social issues (Leach et al, 2011: 22). …show more content…
For example, during the 2015 election campaign, 55% of people said improving the NHS to be the most import issue and Labour was trusted over the Conservative party on the health service by 39% to 23%. (YouGov, 2015). Additionally, immigration was a major issue throughout this campaign, 24% of the public would put their faith in UKIP to deal with the issue, compared to 19% for the Conservatives, 12% for the Labour Party but UKIP failed to win a single seat (YouGov, 2015). Therefore, while the Conservatives may not be ahead on every issue, they are the most consistant throughout the 3 Major issues being first in terms of Economy, second on NHS and second on immigration. This would have a notable effect on the Conservative party …show more content…
Firstly, many are still likely to vote according to their social class but this has greatly reduced; now voters are far less likely to vote for their natural party. Secondly, many still vote in terms with their age but this could be linked to party policies. Thirdly, the short term factor issue voting means citizens are more likely to vote for parties ahead on the important issues, although this party may not always be ahead on all issues. Lastly, the media has been seen to greatly influence through televised debates, while social media has had little influence over voters decisions. Overall, although these factors of voting behaviour help us to understand the 2015 UK general election to an extent, they cannot be fully explicit and leave an element of
Social class had been considered the most significant factor in voting behaviour since the study of political behaviour began. Traditionally, Labour is typically seen as the party for the working class, while the Conservatives appeal more to the upper and middle classes (Leach et al, 2011:81). For example, in 1945-58 only 10% of the AB social class voted for Labour during this period, while 85% voted Conservative. This is compared to Labour gaining 65% of the vote in the social class DE, with Conservative 30% of the vote (Leach et al, 2011: 81). This trend of voting still exists as The Conservatives gained 45% of the vote and Labour 26% in the AB social class, while in the DE social grouping Labour achieved 41% and Conservatives 27% of the vote in 2015 general election (Ipsos MORI, 2015). However, in the 2015 election, social classes voted in far fewer numbers for the political party they would conventionally vote for, this is referred to as class dealignment. One reason for this can be due to a decline in the traditional working class. This is because of the changes in employment patterns, educational opportunities and the rising standard of living, which has lead to a blur in class divisions making it harder to identify to a single party (Heath, 2015: 180). Seats that Labour and Conservative parties previously had considered ‘safe’ seats are no longer a certainty. For example, the SNP won all seats in the working class heartlands of Glasgow, normally dominated by Labour (British Election Study, 2016). Therefore, although statistics suggest that voting behaviour and class are still linked to some extent in helping us understand the 2015 general election, voters are moving away from their natural class reducing its significance. In Britain age is indeed a strong predictor of voter choice. Older generations are much more likely to vote for the Conservative party due to a fear of change, while younger voters are more supportive of Labour or the Liberal Democrats with a strong attitude towards social issues (Leach et al, 2011: 22). …show more content…
For example, during the 2015 election campaign, 55% of people said improving the NHS to be the most import issue and Labour was trusted over the Conservative party on the health service by 39% to 23%. (YouGov, 2015). Additionally, immigration was a major issue throughout this campaign, 24% of the public would put their faith in UKIP to deal with the issue, compared to 19% for the Conservatives, 12% for the Labour Party but UKIP failed to win a single seat (YouGov, 2015). Therefore, while the Conservatives may not be ahead on every issue, they are the most consistant throughout the 3 Major issues being first in terms of Economy, second on NHS and second on immigration. This would have a notable effect on the Conservative party …show more content…
Firstly, many are still likely to vote according to their social class but this has greatly reduced; now voters are far less likely to vote for their natural party. Secondly, many still vote in terms with their age but this could be linked to party policies. Thirdly, the short term factor issue voting means citizens are more likely to vote for parties ahead on the important issues, although this party may not always be ahead on all issues. Lastly, the media has been seen to greatly influence through televised debates, while social media has had little influence over voters decisions. Overall, although these factors of voting behaviour help us to understand the 2015 UK general election to an extent, they cannot be fully explicit and leave an element of