Elections and Public Opinion: Conservative Doldrums and Continuing Apathy

Abstract

Various measures show that the Conservatives are falling short of the level of progress required to mount a serious challenge to Labour. Opinion polls report Labour ahead, and towards the end of the year there was a narrowing of the gap between Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Most polls reported general dissatisfaction with the political leaders. The local elections in May saw triumphs and defeats for all three main parties as 40 local authorities changed hands. Again, the Conservative Party missed an opportunity to inflict a heavy defeat upon the government. A majority of local referendums, called to decide on the principle of directly‐elected mayors, saw voters reject the idea and turnout was generally low. In those mayoral elections that were held, turnout disappointed, while Independent candidates fared relatively well against candidates from the political mainstream. Labour comfortably retained the only parliamentary by‐election fought and in local government by‐elections the party suffered few net losses.