The document discusses several key factors that influence political participation and voting behavior. It examines gender differences in voting patterns between political parties in the UK and some explanations for the historical gender gap. Specifically, it notes that the gender gap faded in the 1980s but reemerged in the 1990s, with women moving slightly more to the left politically. By the 2005 election, gender differences in voting had almost disappeared as both men and women moved toward the ideological middle. Young women with children were still more likely to vote for the Labour party.

1. Power and Politics Voting Behaviour and political participation

5. Factors influencing political activity

6. 2010 Election Results 0 14 Others 0 6 Scottish National Party -1 8 Democratic Unionist Party -5 57 Liberal Democrat -91 258 Labour +97 307 Conservative Change seats Party