Politics class: Rules of thumb for understanding UK elections

This article picked by a teacher with suggested questions is part of the Financial Times free schools access programme. Details/registration here.

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Specification:

• AQA Component 3.1.2.3: Political parties: factors affecting electoral outcomes

• Edexcel Component 2.4: Political parties: various factors that affect party success

Background: what you need to know

If you haven’t discovered Stephen Bush’s ‘Inside Politics’ newsletter in 2024, please sign up to receive it in 2025. Most of the articles contain very useful insights for the study of A Level Politics. Here is an example from the Christmas period which reflects on the reasons why UK political parties win or lose general elections.

Using the 2017, 2019 and 2024 contests as evidence, the article suggests that the key factors are how voters feel about the condition of the country and their attitude to the alternative offered by the main opposition party. This links to the important concept of governing competency — the perceived ability of the governing party to manage the affairs of state effectively and the potential of opposition parties to do so if elected.

Click the link below to read the article and then answer the questions:

Rules of thumb for understanding UK elections

Question in the style of AQA Politics Paper 1

• Explain and analyse three factors that explain why the main UK political parties win or lose general elections. [9 marks]

Question in the style of Edexcel Politics Paper 1

• Evaluate the view that governing competency is the most important factor influencing the outcome of UK general elections. You must consider this view and the alternative to this view in a balanced way. [30 marks]

  TIP: Consider the part played by leadership — and how this is projected in the media — in shaping voters’ perceptions of political parties. The article contrasts public mistrust of Jeremy Corbyn in 2019 with the more positive appeal of Keir Starmer in 2024. You could also look at the differing public images of Theresa May in 2017, Boris Johnson in 2019 and Rishi Sunak in 2024 and assess their importance in those elections.

Graham Goodlad, Portsmouth High School