2005 United Kingdom General Election
General Summary
The 2005 United Kingdom general election was held on Thursday, May 5, 2005, to elect 646 members to the House of Commons. The Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Tony Blair, won the election with 355 seats, a majority of 66. The Conservative Party, led by Michael Howard, gained seats but remained in opposition with 198 seats. The Liberal Democrats, led by Charles Kennedy, gained seats and held 62 seats. The Scottish National Party (SNP) won six seats, Plaid Cymru won three seats, and Sinn Féin won five seats. The Green Party and the Respect Party each won one seat.
England Specifics
The 2005 United Kingdom general election in England took place on May 5, 2005, for 529 English seats in the British House of Commons. The Labour Party won 257 seats, the Conservative Party won 194 seats, the Liberal Democrats won 57 seats, the SNP won five seats, and UKIP won two seats.
Party Results
The Labour Party won the popular vote with 35.2% of the vote, followed by the Conservative Party with 32.3%, the Liberal Democrats with 22.0%, and the SNP with 1.5%. The Green Party won 0.4% of the vote, and the Respect Party won 0.3% of the vote.
Key Issues in the Election
The key issues in the election included the Iraq War, the economy, and healthcare. The Labour Party campaigned on a platform of continuing the war in Iraq and addressing the concerns of ordinary voters, while the Conservative Party campaigned on a platform of ending the war and cutting taxes. The Liberal Democrats campaigned on a platform of opposing the war, introducing electoral reform, and protecting the environment.
Conclusion
The 2005 United Kingdom general election was a closely contested election, with the Labour Party ultimately winning a third consecutive term in government. The election results showed that the public was divided on the issue of the Iraq War, with many voters expressing concerns about the conflict. The election also saw the rise of the SNP, which gained seats in Scotland at the expense of the Labour Party. The election results had a significant impact on British politics, and the issues and debates that emerged during the campaign continue to shape the country's political landscape today.
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