Economic Conditions and Constituency Voting in Great Britain

In: Political studies, Band 36, Heft 1, S. 30-51

Abstract

Using national survey data (N not given) the extent to which levels & trends in local unemployment & income influenced the conservative vote in 633 separate British constituency elections in 1983 is estimated in several regression models. Long-term influences on voting are controlled by the endogenous variables of SC & territoriality. It is argued that this research design is superior to previous ones that have treated general elections as national elections in exploring the economic theory of voting. Sensitivity analysis (the use of several models to illuminate the research problem posed) suggests that, unlike in US congressional elections, current rates & trends in local unemployment & income exerted a substantial & systematic influence on constituency voting in GB. 4 Tables. HA