2014/02/27 by David Denver, Mark Garnett · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Political and Economic history of UK and US #Historical Studies on Reproduction, Gender, Health, and Societal Changes #Political Systems and Governance
paper · doi:10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199673322.003.0003
openalex publication_date 2014/02/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
This chapter assesses British elections from 1974–9. It analyses the campaigns and results of the February 1974, October 1974, and 1979 elections, along with voter turnout and voting behaviour. Conservatives retained their lead over Labour in the February 1974 elections while Labour came back with a majority of three seats in October. The 224-day gap between the February and October elections in 1974 was the shortest in modern times. Given the balance of party strength in the House of Commons, it was inevitable that a new election would be called sooner rather than later.