UK Politics and Government Updates (Post-2024 Election)

Introduction

Presenter: Olle
Focus: Updates to UK politics and government after 2024 election with the new Labour government.
Resources: Updated textbooks available on the Politics Explained website, with continuous updates.
Additional Support: Essay plans, tutoring, and a weekly membership for additional study resources.

2024 General Election: Least proportional result in British history (Gallagher index).
Labour's Victory: 411 seats, 63% of seats with only 33.7% of the vote.
Lib Dems: Increased seats from 11 to 72 with similar vote share.
Minor Parties: Underrepresented despite increased vote share.
- Reform UK: 14% of the vote, only 5 MPs.
- Green Party: 7% of the vote, only 4 MPs.
Tactical Voting: Significant impact; 20% of voters voted tactically to oust the Conservatives.
Debate on First Past the Post (FPTP):
- Advantages: Speed, simplicity, a link between MPs and constituencies, and strong governments.
- Disadvantages: Distortion (winner's bonus), underrepresentation of minor parties, limited voter choice, and tactical voting.

2024 Election Overview: Massive swing from Conservatives to Labour.
Campaign Impact:
- Labour and Lib Dems' effective targeting.
- Tory mistakes and Reform UK's rise under Farage.
Key Issues:
- Conservative incompetence and unpopularity.
- Labour's centrist position attractive to disillusioned Tory voters.
Social Factors: Age, gender, class, education, and ethnicity played roles.

Labour Party (2024 Manifesto):
- Moderate taxation and economic stability.
- Law and order: increase police numbers, tackle antisocial behavior.
- Immigration: secure borders, scrap Rwanda scheme.
- Relations with unions: negotiation over strikes.
Conservative Party (2024 Manifesto):
- Focus on financial stability, tough on crime and immigration.
- Law and order: increase police numbers, anti-antisocial behavior measures.
- Welfare: limited increases, tough stance on strikes.
Lib Dems: Success through tactical voting and affluent targeting.
- Policies on health, education, and welfare more progressive.
Reform UK: Right-wing populist, tight immigration control, and significant support in 2024.

2024 Election Result: Suggests a multiparty system, despite FPTP favoring two-party dominance.
Tactical Voting: Major impact but may exaggerate multiparty appearance.
Support for Minor Parties: Reform UK's rise challenges Tory dominance.

Labour's manifesto supports increased devolution and better relations with devolved governments.