write a 2,000 word academic synopsis of the book Britain Votes 2017, using the following notes: The book “Britain Votes 2017” provides a comprehensive analysis of the events and factors that influenced the 2017 general election in the United Kingdom. The election was most notable for the unexpected success of the Labour Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn, whose campaign used an anti-austerity message and social media to appeal to the disaffected electorate. Although Labour did not win Westminister, the election ended Prime Minister Theresa May’s parliamentary majority, forcing the Conservatives to form a minority government in alliance with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Despite winning 55 more seats than Labour, the election was an indictment of the Conservatives and May in particular, as her unappealing personality and austere manifesto contributed to the upset. The election was also notable for the failure of third parties such as the Liberal Democrats, Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP), UK Independence Party (UKIP), Green Party, and Plaid Cymru to expand their support. The book offers insights into the strategies, tactics, and messaging used by the parties, as well as the role of social media and the generational divide.
When Jeremy Corbyn was elected as leader in 2015, the party was still reeling from a massive defeat in the previous general election. The party had received only 30.4% of the vote, prompting the resignation of Ed Miliband. The book notes that much of the public still blamed the Labour Party for the financial collapse of 2008, and was exhausted by the uninspired platitudes of New Labour. Miliband’s departure triggered a leadership election, and provided the opportunity for longtime backbencher Jeremy Corbyn to stand as a leftist alternative to the Thatcherite consensus. Harkening back to the socialist ideals of “old Labour”, Corbyn ran on an explicitly anti-austerity platform that attracted substantial support from young voters, who were largely responsible for a surge in party registration. Former party leaders Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and Ed Miliband rallied against Corbyn’s candidacy but to no avail. Charaterized by the media as “Corbynmania’', Corbyn won the votes of 49.6% of full members and 57.6% of affiliated supporters in an overwhelming victory in the first round. The party establishment and previous Labour frontbenchers bitterly opposed Corbyn, resulting in an internal struggle between the Corbyn leadership and the Parliamentary Labour Party.
Corbyn’s campaign began at a severe disadvantage, but made steady progress over the course of the seven week election, despite negative coverage from the mainstream media. His idealistic campaign provided a stark contrast to the Conservatives, and Labour’s message resonated with austerity-fatigued Britons. A 2016 poll showed that 42% of the British public supported the redistribution of wealth, and 48% supported higher taxes to fund public services. Labour’s manifesto "for the many, not the few ‘’ was considered radical but credible, with practical policies such as raising the minimum wage, ending tuition fees, providing free school meals, raising taxes on the rich, and nationalizing railroads and utilities. The manifesto was not a drastic departure from Labour’s 2015 manifesto, with the former prime minister’s chief advisor Stewart Wood calling it "Milibandism on speed.” The campaign used the Momentum organization created after Corbyn’s victory to mobilize grassroots volunteers for door to door canvassing, while holding mass rallies utilizing social media. Digital campaigning played a significant role in the election, with Corbyn’s team dominating social media platforms and using Facebook advertising to micro-target highly localized audiences. This allowed them to mobilize activists and increase voter registration, while challenging the traditionally dominant media and TV narrative. Labour took a somewhat ambiguous stance towards Brexit, and the issue did not feature prominently in the campaign.
Theresa May’s campaign was stage-managed and involved minimal contact with voters. The Conservative Party’s manifesto was deeply unpopular with core voters and Tory-supportive media.

May called the election in April 18th, to take place June 8th, taking everyone by surprise. The election became a clear two-party race between Labour and the Conservatives, with the Liberal Democrats and UKIP fading from relevance. Labour made steady progress over the seven-week race, culminating in them winning 41% of the votes, greatly exceeding expectations. The Conservatives won 43.4%, a disappointment despite being their best performance since 1989. The SNP vote share fell from 50 to 36.9%, resulting in a loss of 21 seats. The pattern of votes across constituencies suggests a generation divide more substantial than the class divide.
The book argues that the long campaign aided Labour and helped them catch up. May ran a “personalized campaign with no personality,” while Corbyn came across as friendly and likable. May’s refusal to join the televised debate made her look weak. She did not canvas and meet ordinary voters, preferring party activist fundraisers. May’s campaign had self-inflicted wounds, such as her commitment to a free vote in parliament on the reintroduction of fox hunting, which was opposed by ¾ of the public. Her proposal for homes above £100,000 to be used, among other assets, to calculate their payment to the bill for their social care was branded the 'Dementia tax.’

UKIP rises in 2014, annihilate Libdems, sweep board in european elections, UKIP peaked with Brexit, and fell into irelevancy by the 2017 election.

, Conservative campaign lacked focus and direction, with Theresa May’s “strong andstable” leadership message falling flat with voters. Her refusal to participate in televised debates and minimal contact with ordinary voters led to accusations of arrogance and elitism. Additionally, her proposal for a “dementia tax” and her commitment to a free vote on fox hunting were widely unpopular with the public
The election also saw a significant shift in voting patterns, with a clear divide emerging between generations rather than class. The Labour Party’s message of ending austerity and investing in public services resonated with younger voters, while the Conservatives struggled to appeal beyond their traditional base
The election also saw the return of participatory cleavages in Scottish and Welsh politics, with the Welsh Labour party promoting the idea of voting for their candidates to stand up for Wales, regardless of feelings towards Corbyn. Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru, the Welsh nationalist party, saw a decline in vote share, while the DUP in Northern Ireland scored a double victory, defeating the Ulster Unionist Party and entering a coalition with the Conservatives.

However, the election was also highly presidential, with May’s robotic manner and u-turn on the dementia tax damaging her campaign.
Overall, Britain Votes 2017 provides a comprehensive analysis of the election and its significance in the broader context of British politics. It highlights the important role played by social media in mobilizing voters and challenging traditional media narratives, as well as the shift towards a generational divide in voting patterns. It also emphasizes the importance of political messaging and policy, with Labour’s radical but credible manifesto resonating with voters and the Conservative’s unpopular policies leading to disappointment despite their best performance since 1989.
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Britain Votes 2017 is a detailed and comprehensive account of the 2017 UK general election, exploring the factors and events that shaped its outcome. The book analyzes the rise of Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour Party’s unexpected surge in popularity, the Conservative Party’s missteps and Theresa May’s failed campaign, and the role of social media in the election.
In contrast, Theresa May’s campaign was stage-managed and involved minimal contact with voters. The Conservative Party’s manifesto was deeply unpopular with core voters and the Tory-supportive media. May’s refusal to participate in debates and her party’s social care reforms for the elderly and winter fuel payment reforms alienated many voters.
Despite Labour’s ambiguous stance on Brexit, it made steady progress over the seven-week race, culminating in winning 41% of votes, greatly exceeding expectations. The Conservatives won 43.4%, a disappointment despite being their best performance since 1989. The pattern of votes across constituencies suggests a generation divide more substantial than the class divide.
Corbyn’s image as a principled outsider was refreshing and attracted young voters. His team ignored mainstream media in favor of big rallies and micro-targeting voters on social media. The Momentum organization was established after his victory, which helped with digital campaigning. Facebook advertising allowed for micro-targeting highly localized audiences and the use of satellite campaigns. The election was marked by a challenge to traditionally dominant media and TV by social media. The traditional media narrative about Corbyn was challenged by younger generations on social media.
May’s campaign was a catastrophe, focused on her “strong and stable leadership,” and she came across as robotic and lacking personality. May’s refusal to join the televised debate made her look weak, and she did not canvas or meet ordinary voters, preferring party activist fundraisers. May’s campaign had self-inflicted wounds, with her commitment to a free vote in parliament on the reintroduction of fox hunting opposed by three-quarters of the public. The proposal for homes above £100,000 to be used among other assets to calculate their payment to the bill for their social care, branded the “Dementia tax,” and the “magic money tree” comment did not help her campaign.
Two terror attacks during the campaign served to undercut the Conservative attack on Corbyn’s “soft on terrorism” charge, as he responded that as home secretary, May had cut police numbers. The election saw a return to two-party politics, with the highest combined share of Labour and Conservative votes since 1970.
The book also explores the political landscape of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Scottish National Party (SNP) vote share fell from 50 to 36.9%, resulting in a loss of 21 seats. The participatory cleavage has returned to Scottish politics, with the SNP retaining its position as the biggest party in Scotland. Wales was seen as a pro-Brexit stronghold for May,


Britain Votes 2017 is a comprehensive analysis of the snap election that rocked the British political landscape in June 2017. Written by a team of experts in British politics and election studies, the authors examine the campaigns, key issues, and outcomes of the election that saw Theresa May’s Conservative Party lose its parliamentary majority. The book provides a detailed account of how the major parties approached the election, including the Labour Party’s unexpectedly robust showing under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership. It also delves into the impact of Brexit and other issues, such as terrorism and austerity, on the campaign. The book offers insights into the strategies, tactics, and messaging used by the parties, as well as the role of social media and the generational divide. Finally, Britain Votes 2017 assesses the implications of the election, including the ongoing Brexit negotiations and the future of the anti-political sentiment in politics.
When Jeremy Corbyn was elected Labour leader in 2015 the party was reeling after a staggering defeat four months prior, in which the party received only 30.4% of the vote. This prompted the resignation of Ed miliband

2017 General Election, conservatives would have been in a mess if they hadnt done so well in scotland, in 1997 they had no seats in Scotland, won 13 seats in 2017 (had one), revolt against SNP, almost a corbyn-snp-libdem government, gains in scotland were fundemental to May’s survival, let her cut a deal with DUP for majority
Labour went from 30.4 to 40, may went drom
UK 2017 Gen election vote shares
18-19 66% Labour
70+ 69% voted Conservative
Used to be class based, now there is very little difference in social class voting, age did not used to be political determinient, beginning in 2015, especially in 2017, key determinant for political loyalty, fundemental change in last decade
Vote in british elections by age, compare to 1997, dramatic age difference, except for Lib , Dems
Class has ceased to be determinant, even with working class and middle class (working class twice as likely to vote UKIP)
Age wasnt really facor in 2010, explodes from 2010 to 2017
Younger voters repudiation of Brexit one factor driving divide