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British Cultural Studies (Subject) / Elections (Lesson)
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- The system - system of political representation = before coming of democracy & before national issuses became important to ppl - theory = house of commons is simply a gathering of ppl who each represent a particular place in the kingdom - 1832 = Great Reform Bill --> small boroughs where electors can easily be persuaded who to vote for / franchise (right to vote) is made uniform - 1867 = franchise includes most of the male workers in towns - 1872 = secret ballot is introduced - 1884 = franchise includes male rural labourers - 1918 = women over 30 can vote - 1928 = women are given the franchise on the same basis as men / everybody over 21 can vote - 1969 = now 18 - electoral system = country is divided into a # of areas of roughly equal population (about 90,000) --> constituencies / anybody who wants to be an MP must declare themselves as a candidate in one of these constituencies --> polling day = day of election / voters go to polling stations and get a single piece of paper / puts red cross next to candidate --> most voices wins - system known as first past the post system
- formal arrangements - governments choice when to hold an election --> law = every five years - after date of election --> ppl must get their names on the ballot paper for that constituency --> deposit 500pounds with the returning office (person responsible for the conduct of the election in each constituency) --> get the money back if they get 5% of the votes or more - candidates are allowed to indicate their political affiliation after their names on the ballot paper - to be able to vote = 18 years old and on electoral register
- The campaign - quiet affairs - reflects contrast between the formal arrangements and the political reality --> formally = a different campaign takes place in each constituency --> --> amount of money that candidates can spend is limited and have to submit detailed accounts for inspection --> reality = everybody votes for a candidate on the basis of the party which they represent - national level = spending is legally controlled / given a # of timed party election broadcasts / daily conference
- Polling day and election night - 1931 = general election always take place on a thursday - not public holidays - after polls close = marked ballot papers are taken in boxes to a central place in the constituency where the boxes are opened and the votes for each candidate are counted - after the votes counted = returning officer together with candidates gets up onto stage and announces the votes cast for each candidazr and who the MP for the constituency is
- Recent results and the future - since middle of the 20th cent the contest to form the government has been a fight between labour and conservative - north and inner area = labour MPs to westminster - south and areas outside inner cities = conservative MPs - since 80s = few seats have been won by the conservatives in scotland and wales
- modern issues - fewer ppl (especially young) vote - increase in support for small parties
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