Competition for Power between the Parties in Great Britain

The evidence of opinion polls indicates that about half the British people are not regular supporters of any political party. People change their preference from time to time for various reasons. The rest are about equally divided. So about a quarter of the people are firm and committed Conservatives. Another quarter of people are firmly Labour. And perhaps 5 per cent of British population is firm centrists.

The Labour Party was founded by the trade unions to represent the working class. It’s most solid support comes from people who consider themselves to be working class, together with some intellectuals, often graduates working in the public sector, particularly in education and the social services. The hard core of the Conservatives’ supporters is mainly middle class. Geographically the Labour Party’s strength is concentrated in the most industrialised areas of the north, and above all in Scotland and South Wales. These areas, together with a few parts of London, cover almost a third of the constituencies in Britain, which Labour can be sure of winning. In these same areas there has been little support for the Centre and Green Parties. The Conservatives’ 200 or more safe seats are a little more vulnerable to a strong centre party.

The result of a general election is decided by the swing of votes among the uncommitted people in the constituencies in which the support for the two major parties is more evenly divided. Of course, each of these uncommitted voters has a complex motivation, comprising judgements about the personalities of party leaders and about economic and social issues. Some take politics seriously and weigh the claims of the rival parties very thoroughly. Others can easily be influenced by particular matters which have been brought into prominence by recent events. Frequent opinion polls, published in the media, give a fairly reliable indication of people’s current preferences between the parties.

Notes*

a firm and committed Conservative відданий та ідейний консерватор a hard core - тверде ядро, серцевина to be vulnerable - бути уразливим a swing of votes - коливання голосів

uncommitted people - неідейні люди (які не є палкими прихильниками якоїсь партії) comprising judgements - спільні погляди, думки, оцінки to bring into prominence - появитися, стати відомим media, n., pl. - засоби, середовище, середина

Talking Points*

Are the British regular supporters of any political party in Great Britain?

What are the supporters of different British parties?

What decides the results of a general election?

Unit 7

Дата добавления: 2015-08-18