United Kingdom general election, 2005

Overview

: For events leading up to the date of the election, see article: Pre-election day events of the United Kingdom general election, 2005

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The governing Labour Party, led by Tony Blair, was looking to secure a third consecutive term in office and to retain a large majority. The Conservative Party was seeking to regain seats lost to both Labour and the Liberal Democrats in the 1997 election, and become the governing party. The Liberal Democrats hoped to make gains from both parties, but especially Conservative Party, with "decapitation" strategy targeting specific constituencies. Like the Conservatives, the Lib Dems had ambitions to become the governing party, but more realistically aimed to to become the Official Opposition, replacing the Conservatives. In Northern Ireland, the elections was contested by the Democratic Unionist Party, looking to make further gains over the Ulster Unionist Party in unionist politics, and by Sinn Féin and the Social Democratic and Labour Party in nationalist politics. The pro-independence Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru (Party of Wales) stood candidates in every constituency in Scotland and Wales respectively.

Related Topics:
Labour Party - Tony Blair - Conservative Party - Liberal Democrats - 1997 election - Official Opposition - Democratic Unionist Party - Ulster Unionist Party - Unionist - Sinn Féin - Social Democratic and Labour Party - Nationalist - Independence - Scottish National Party - Plaid Cymru

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Many seats were contested by other parties, including several parties without incumbents in the House of Commons. Parties that were not represented at Westminster, but had seats in the devolved assemblies and European Parliament included the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom Independence Party, the various national Green parties, and the Scottish Socialist Party. The Health Concern party also stood for election again. A full list of parties which declared their intention to run can be found on the list of parties contesting the UK general election, 2005.

Related Topics:
Devolved assemblies - European Parliament - Alliance Party of Northern Ireland - United Kingdom Independence Party - Green parties - Scottish Socialist Party - Health Concern - List of parties contesting the UK general election, 2005

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During the period between the announcement of the election and the actual election itself, all of the parties embarked on intensive campaigns to win voters over. They did this by releasing manifestos, party political broadcasts and touring the country in buses (commonly referred to as "Battle Buses").

Related Topics:
Manifesto - Party political broadcast

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