Setting the Scene for 2015

Chapter 1 depicts the evolving political context preceding the 2015 general election and how prominent events and conditions influenced trends in public opinion. Most important was austerity, the organizing theme of the economic policies pursued by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Government formed in May 2010. Other significant events include selecting Ed Miliband as Labour Leader, the national referendum on changing the electoral system, efforts to control immigration, NHS reform, Prime Minister Cameron’s promised referendum on continued EU membership, the 2014 EU parliamentary elections and the Scottish independence referendum. Widely publicized foreign policy decisions including the attack on Libya and the vote on military intervention in Syria also are discussed.