Consider the extent to which short-term factors are now far more important than long-term factors in shaping voting behaviour

Consider the extent to which short-term factors are now far more important than long-term factors in shaping voting behaviour Politics has certainly changed over the last few decades. The idea of British politics become Americanised is one factor in this change. In modern day politics it is obvious that the electorate have different things to take into consideration when they approach the ballot box. In this essay I will debate whether short term factors have more of an effect in voters’ minds than long term factors. One thing that affects voters’ minds when they cast their vote is there current living conditions. If they are prospering economically and enjoying life, a change to that would not be welcomed warmly. An example of this was in 2001; New Labour had won by a land slide in 1997 and did so again in 2001. Many political commentators believe that Tony Blair and his chancellor of the exchequer Gordon Browns success in national economic growth had its part to play. Most voters were enjoying the economic boom and did not want an end to that. It will also be quite interesting to see the outcome of the 2010 election is due to the fact many blame Gordon Brown for leading the country into recession and of course as many more people are unemployed or struggling financially more people want change. Another short term factor that would have its part to play is who a political party’s leader was. In 1997 when Tony Blair was young and fresh onto the premier political scene, he seemed a much more modern candidate in comparison to John Major. This idea of voters voting because a liking of the party leader rather than voting for the representative of their constituency is another factor into the debate on whether or not British politics is becoming more presidential. Long term factors are today increasingly dropping in terms of their input in shaping voting behaviour. For example there has been a decreasing level of people who strongly support a part. “Partisan