The British general election, 1761, returned members to serve in the House of Commons of the 12th Parliament of Great Britain to be summoned, after the merger of the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland in 1707. This was the first Parliament chosen after the accession to the throne of King George III. It was also the first election after George III had lifted the conventional proscription on the employment of Tories in government. The King prevented the Prime Minister, the Duke of Newcastle, from using public money to fund the election of Whig candidates, but Newcastle instead simply used his private fortune to ensure that his ministry gained a comfortable majority.
However, with the Tory party disintegrating, as a result of the end of their proscription providing them with new opportunities for personal advancement, and the loyalty they felt to the new King causing them to drift apart, there was little incentive for Newcastle's supporters to stay together. What little survived of Whig ideology was not compelling enough to maintain the party's coherence, and they split into a number of feuding factions led by aristocratic magnates, contributing to the political instability that would last until 1770.
In 1801 the right to vote in the United Kingdom was a severely restricted practice. Universal suffrage, on an equal basis for men and women over the age of 21, was established in 1929. Before 1918, general elections did not occur on a single day and polling was spread over several weeks. The date given in the table for elections prior to 1918 is the date Parliament assembled after the election, which could be in the year after the general election.
The majority figure given is for the difference between the number of MPs elected at the general election from the party (or parties) of the government, as opposed to all other parties (some of which may have been giving some support to the government, but were not participating in a coalition). The Speaker is excluded from the calculation. A negative majority means that there was a hung parliament (or minority parliament) following that election. For example, in the 1929 election, Labour was 42 seats short of forming a majority, and so its majority is listed as −42. If the party in office changed the figure is re-calculated, but no allowance is made for changes after the general election.
The United Kingdom general election, 2001, was held on Thursday, 7 June 2001, to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. It was dubbed "the quiet landslide" by the media, as the Labour Party was re-elected with another landslide result and only suffered a net loss of five seats, though with significantly lower turnout than before – 59.4%, compared to 71.3% in the previous election. Tony Blair went on to become the first Labour Prime Minister to serve a second consecutive full term in office.
There was little change outside Northern Ireland, with 620 out of the 641 seats electing candidates from the same party as they did in 1997. Factors contributing to the Labour victory were a strong economy and falling unemployment, as well as that Labour was seen as having delivered on many key election pledges that it had made in 1997. The Conservative Party, under William Hague's leadership, was still deeply divided on the issue of Europe and the party's policy platform was considered to have shifted to a right-wing focus. Hague was also hindered by a series of embarrassing publicity stunts, and resigned as party leader three months later, becoming the first Conservative leader since Austen Chamberlain to leave office without becoming Prime Minister.
The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005 to elect 646 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party under Tony Blair won its third consecutive victory, but its majority now stood at 66 seats compared to the 160-seat majority it had previously held. It remains the last Labour general election victory in the UK.
The Labour campaign emphasised a strong economy; however, Blair had suffered a decline in popularity even before the decision to send British troops to invade Iraq in 2003. The Conservative Party, led by Michael Howard since late 2003, campaigned on policies, such as immigration limits, improving poorly managed hospitals and reducing high crime rates, all under the slogan 'Are you thinking what we're thinking?'. The Liberal Democrats, led by Charles Kennedy, were opposed to the Iraq War given there had been no second UN resolution, and collected votes from disenchanted Labour voters.
Tony Blair was returned as Prime Minister, with Labour having 355 MPs but with a popular vote of 35.2%, the lowest of any majority government in British history. In terms of votes they were only narrowly ahead of the Conservatives, but still had a comfortable lead in terms of seats. The Conservatives had 198 MPs, 32 more than they had previously, and won the popular vote in England, while still ending up with 91 fewer MPs in England than Labour. The Liberal Democrats saw their popular vote increase by 3.7% and won the most seats for any third party since 1923, with 62 MPs. Former Labour MP and anti-war activist George Galloway was elected as a member of the Commons under the Respect – The Unity Coalition banner, and two single area party candidates were elected: Blaenau Gwent People's Voice and Kidderminster Health Concern in Worcestershire.
The full eight hours coverage, from BBC One, of the 2001 general election. Presented by David Dimbleby with Andrew Marr, Anthony King and Alison Park to analyse, Peter Snow with the figures, Jeremy Paxman interviewing politicians and Fiona Bruce talking to the electorate.
published: 16 Mar 2019
ITV Election 2001 Part 1
First part of ITV's coverage of the British general election of 7 June 2001, from about 9.55 pm to 10.55 pm.
published: 18 Jan 2016
UK Independence Party Broadcast 2001
A Party Election Broadcast by the UK Independence Party from the 2001 general election. Based on a theme of domestic burglary. Features party speakers Mike Nattrass, Jeffrey Titford, and Nigel Farage.
Transmitted 18 May 2001.
published: 26 Aug 2018
BBC Vote 2001 Second day
Coverage of the 2001 general election from BBC One on Friday 8 June, picking up at the end of Breakfast. First is a regional opt-out; here is the London and South East regional programme presented by Tim Donovan with Jo Coburn in Kingston, Nina Ridge in the newsroom and other contributors.
David Dimbleby resumes the network coverage at 9:30 AM through to the One'o'clock News from George Alagiah, and Newsroom South East.
published: 19 Mar 2019
Labour Party Election Broadcast, 2001
The final Labour Party election broadcast of the 2001 election. As in 1997 it's a melodrama designed to encourage voters to turn out: a couple reluctantly go to vote, then get their reward in the form of thanks from the people grateful for a Labour government.
The couple are played by Terri Dwyer and Gary Lucy, both of whom were starring in Hollyoaks at the time. Kevin Whately provides a voiceover.
Warning: Features a meerkat.The street scenes were recorded around Denman Road in Peckham, London.
Transmitted 5 June 2001.
published: 21 Aug 2018
ITV Election 2001 Part 3
Third part of ITV's coverage of the British general election of 7 June 2001, from about 11.55 pm to 1.10 am.
published: 18 Jan 2016
Conservative Party Election Broadcast 2001
The final Conservative Party Election Broadcast of the 2001 general election was the only one to feature William Hague. Even then he gets to say a single short sentance. In keeping with the negative tone of all the broadcast, he appears after a minute of gloom-laden attacks on Labour.
OnDigital nostalgics may remember the channel change logo graphics seen at the start.Transmitted 4 June.
published: 20 Aug 2018
BBC Vote 2001: Breakfast
Following immediately the overnight election coverage, here is the full BBC Breakfast programme from Friday 8 June 2001. Presented by Sophie Raworth and Jeremy Bowen. Most notable for the fact that William Hague has an announcement to make - skip to 1:44:25 for that.
published: 17 Mar 2019
When will the next General Election be?
#shorts
published: 12 Apr 2023
British General Election Results (1685-2019)
This video will show the results of every English and British General Election from 1685. Each colour represents a party, detailed in the legend on the right of the screen. White indicates a constituency held by either an independent member of parliament, or a small party.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=4740833
Follow me on DeviantArt: http://olliebye.deviantart.com/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Map:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/10/1924_UK_General_Election_Results.png
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------...
The full eight hours coverage, from BBC One, of the 2001 general election. Presented by David Dimbleby with Andrew Marr, Anthony King and Alison Park to analyse...
The full eight hours coverage, from BBC One, of the 2001 general election. Presented by David Dimbleby with Andrew Marr, Anthony King and Alison Park to analyse, Peter Snow with the figures, Jeremy Paxman interviewing politicians and Fiona Bruce talking to the electorate.
The full eight hours coverage, from BBC One, of the 2001 general election. Presented by David Dimbleby with Andrew Marr, Anthony King and Alison Park to analyse, Peter Snow with the figures, Jeremy Paxman interviewing politicians and Fiona Bruce talking to the electorate.
A Party Election Broadcast by the UK Independence Party from the 2001 general election. Based on a theme of domestic burglary. Features party speakers Mike Natt...
A Party Election Broadcast by the UK Independence Party from the 2001 general election. Based on a theme of domestic burglary. Features party speakers Mike Nattrass, Jeffrey Titford, and Nigel Farage.
Transmitted 18 May 2001.
A Party Election Broadcast by the UK Independence Party from the 2001 general election. Based on a theme of domestic burglary. Features party speakers Mike Nattrass, Jeffrey Titford, and Nigel Farage.
Transmitted 18 May 2001.
Coverage of the 2001 general election from BBC One on Friday 8 June, picking up at the end of Breakfast. First is a regional opt-out; here is the London and Sou...
Coverage of the 2001 general election from BBC One on Friday 8 June, picking up at the end of Breakfast. First is a regional opt-out; here is the London and South East regional programme presented by Tim Donovan with Jo Coburn in Kingston, Nina Ridge in the newsroom and other contributors.
David Dimbleby resumes the network coverage at 9:30 AM through to the One'o'clock News from George Alagiah, and Newsroom South East.
Coverage of the 2001 general election from BBC One on Friday 8 June, picking up at the end of Breakfast. First is a regional opt-out; here is the London and South East regional programme presented by Tim Donovan with Jo Coburn in Kingston, Nina Ridge in the newsroom and other contributors.
David Dimbleby resumes the network coverage at 9:30 AM through to the One'o'clock News from George Alagiah, and Newsroom South East.
The final Labour Party election broadcast of the 2001 election. As in 1997 it's a melodrama designed to encourage voters to turn out: a couple reluctantly go to...
The final Labour Party election broadcast of the 2001 election. As in 1997 it's a melodrama designed to encourage voters to turn out: a couple reluctantly go to vote, then get their reward in the form of thanks from the people grateful for a Labour government.
The couple are played by Terri Dwyer and Gary Lucy, both of whom were starring in Hollyoaks at the time. Kevin Whately provides a voiceover.
Warning: Features a meerkat.The street scenes were recorded around Denman Road in Peckham, London.
Transmitted 5 June 2001.
The final Labour Party election broadcast of the 2001 election. As in 1997 it's a melodrama designed to encourage voters to turn out: a couple reluctantly go to vote, then get their reward in the form of thanks from the people grateful for a Labour government.
The couple are played by Terri Dwyer and Gary Lucy, both of whom were starring in Hollyoaks at the time. Kevin Whately provides a voiceover.
Warning: Features a meerkat.The street scenes were recorded around Denman Road in Peckham, London.
Transmitted 5 June 2001.
The final Conservative Party Election Broadcast of the 2001 general election was the only one to feature William Hague. Even then he gets to say a single short ...
The final Conservative Party Election Broadcast of the 2001 general election was the only one to feature William Hague. Even then he gets to say a single short sentance. In keeping with the negative tone of all the broadcast, he appears after a minute of gloom-laden attacks on Labour.
OnDigital nostalgics may remember the channel change logo graphics seen at the start.Transmitted 4 June.
The final Conservative Party Election Broadcast of the 2001 general election was the only one to feature William Hague. Even then he gets to say a single short sentance. In keeping with the negative tone of all the broadcast, he appears after a minute of gloom-laden attacks on Labour.
OnDigital nostalgics may remember the channel change logo graphics seen at the start.Transmitted 4 June.
Following immediately the overnight election coverage, here is the full BBC Breakfast programme from Friday 8 June 2001. Presented by Sophie Raworth and Jeremy ...
Following immediately the overnight election coverage, here is the full BBC Breakfast programme from Friday 8 June 2001. Presented by Sophie Raworth and Jeremy Bowen. Most notable for the fact that William Hague has an announcement to make - skip to 1:44:25 for that.
Following immediately the overnight election coverage, here is the full BBC Breakfast programme from Friday 8 June 2001. Presented by Sophie Raworth and Jeremy Bowen. Most notable for the fact that William Hague has an announcement to make - skip to 1:44:25 for that.
This video will show the results of every English and British General Election from 1685. Each colour represents a party, detailed in the legend on the right of...
This video will show the results of every English and British General Election from 1685. Each colour represents a party, detailed in the legend on the right of the screen. White indicates a constituency held by either an independent member of parliament, or a small party.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=4740833
Follow me on DeviantArt: http://olliebye.deviantart.com/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Map:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/10/1924_UK_General_Election_Results.png
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Music:
Christian Andersen - Subtle Suspense 4
This video will show the results of every English and British General Election from 1685. Each colour represents a party, detailed in the legend on the right of the screen. White indicates a constituency held by either an independent member of parliament, or a small party.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=4740833
Follow me on DeviantArt: http://olliebye.deviantart.com/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Map:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/10/1924_UK_General_Election_Results.png
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Music:
Christian Andersen - Subtle Suspense 4
The full eight hours coverage, from BBC One, of the 2001 general election. Presented by David Dimbleby with Andrew Marr, Anthony King and Alison Park to analyse, Peter Snow with the figures, Jeremy Paxman interviewing politicians and Fiona Bruce talking to the electorate.
A Party Election Broadcast by the UK Independence Party from the 2001 general election. Based on a theme of domestic burglary. Features party speakers Mike Nattrass, Jeffrey Titford, and Nigel Farage.
Transmitted 18 May 2001.
Coverage of the 2001 general election from BBC One on Friday 8 June, picking up at the end of Breakfast. First is a regional opt-out; here is the London and South East regional programme presented by Tim Donovan with Jo Coburn in Kingston, Nina Ridge in the newsroom and other contributors.
David Dimbleby resumes the network coverage at 9:30 AM through to the One'o'clock News from George Alagiah, and Newsroom South East.
The final Labour Party election broadcast of the 2001 election. As in 1997 it's a melodrama designed to encourage voters to turn out: a couple reluctantly go to vote, then get their reward in the form of thanks from the people grateful for a Labour government.
The couple are played by Terri Dwyer and Gary Lucy, both of whom were starring in Hollyoaks at the time. Kevin Whately provides a voiceover.
Warning: Features a meerkat.The street scenes were recorded around Denman Road in Peckham, London.
Transmitted 5 June 2001.
The final Conservative Party Election Broadcast of the 2001 general election was the only one to feature William Hague. Even then he gets to say a single short sentance. In keeping with the negative tone of all the broadcast, he appears after a minute of gloom-laden attacks on Labour.
OnDigital nostalgics may remember the channel change logo graphics seen at the start.Transmitted 4 June.
Following immediately the overnight election coverage, here is the full BBC Breakfast programme from Friday 8 June 2001. Presented by Sophie Raworth and Jeremy Bowen. Most notable for the fact that William Hague has an announcement to make - skip to 1:44:25 for that.
This video will show the results of every English and British General Election from 1685. Each colour represents a party, detailed in the legend on the right of the screen. White indicates a constituency held by either an independent member of parliament, or a small party.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=4740833
Follow me on DeviantArt: http://olliebye.deviantart.com/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Map:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/10/1924_UK_General_Election_Results.png
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Music:
Christian Andersen - Subtle Suspense 4
The British general election, 1761, returned members to serve in the House of Commons of the 12th Parliament of Great Britain to be summoned, after the merger of the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland in 1707. This was the first Parliament chosen after the accession to the throne of King George III. It was also the first election after George III had lifted the conventional proscription on the employment of Tories in government. The King prevented the Prime Minister, the Duke of Newcastle, from using public money to fund the election of Whig candidates, but Newcastle instead simply used his private fortune to ensure that his ministry gained a comfortable majority.
However, with the Tory party disintegrating, as a result of the end of their proscription providing them with new opportunities for personal advancement, and the loyalty they felt to the new King causing them to drift apart, there was little incentive for Newcastle's supporters to stay together. What little survived of Whig ideology was not compelling enough to maintain the party's coherence, and they split into a number of feuding factions led by aristocratic magnates, contributing to the political instability that would last until 1770.