Explore the history of key general elections in recent British history, including Thatcher’s 1979 victory, the rise of New Labour, and the success and downfall of the Conservatives in the 21st century. Discover how the outcome of elections is shaped by party leadership, communications, policy, the media, and more.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course aims to give you an overview of how elections are conducted, with a focus on political communication and election campaigning in recent elections in the UK. The course will assess the effectiveness of party policy and leadership, including the recent general election.
What will we cover?
The course will include key elections in contemporary British politics. • 1974: 'Who rules Britain?' Two general elections. • 1979: Thatcher elected • 1997: Blair/New Labour elected • 2010: Coalition government elected. • 2019: Boris Johnston. Getting Brexit done. • 2024: Change. Labour election victory. The influence of the below will be assessed: • Political rhetoric: key methods of political communication including electoral strategy and communications. • Role of leadership and policy. • Overview of key approaches to fundraising, polling research and political campaigning. • Changes to electoral partisanship and voting patterns. • Contemporary media and the shaping of the political agenda.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Understand key approaches to party campaigns in the general election. • Assess the key issue of whether incumbent governments lose elections or whether opposition parties win them. • Assess the influence of factors such as funding, campaigning, and the media.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is introductory, and everyone is welcome. No prior knowledge is necessary. A good grasp of English, an open mind, and a willingness to listen to different views are all that is required.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be delivered through a mixture of lecture and discussion, with student participation invited and encouraged. Optional “extend your knowledge” tasks can be set if required.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring a pen and paper, or digital equivalents, for making notes.
Ian has taught in Adult Education in London from 1996. He holds a degree in Economics and a MSc in Politics and Administration from Birkbeck College, University of London. Ian is highly committed to adult and continuing learning and has taught politics and political history courses at Morley College and Richmond Adult and Community College and Hillcroft College, in addition to Citylit. Ian has held both teaching and academic management roles including the development of humanities courses that engage and inform students in areas including History and Politics and provide opportunities to progress to further study. He has specialised in teaching a range of courses in politics and current affairs focusing on UK governance and developments in the UK constitution. He has also taught courses on domestic and foreign policy, political parties, and assessments of political leadership. He has also taught on Access to Higher Education Courses that prepare student for degree level study.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/political-leadership-in-modern-uk-politics3062908Political leadership in modern UK politicshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/a-taste-of-politics-hpc36.jpg139139GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/British politics & society/Courses/vm/Issues Facing Our World22851177167713536170012285117716771653<p>Explore the history of key general elections in recent British history, including Thatcher’s 1979 victory, the rise of New Labour, and the success and downfall of the Conservatives in the 21st century. Discover how the outcome of elections is shaped by party leadership, communications, policy, the media, and more.</p>003062869Political leadership in modern UK politics139139https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/a-taste-of-politics-hpc36.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-10-22T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allOct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHPC312139139Political leadership in modern UK politics11190139Ian McGarviepolitical-leadership-in-modern-uk-politics/hpc312-2627<p>Explore the history of key general elections in recent British history, including Thatcher’s 1979 victory, the rise of New Labour, and the success and downfall of the Conservatives in the 21st century. Discover how the outcome of elections is shaped by party leadership, communications, policy, the media, and more.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-22 00:00:00<p>This course aims to give you an overview of how elections are conducted, with a focus on political communication and election campaigning in recent elections in the UK. The course will assess the effectiveness of party policy and leadership, including the recent general election.</p><p>Explore the history of key general elections in recent British history, including Thatcher’s 1979 victory, the rise of New Labour, and the success and downfall of the Conservatives in the 21st century. Discover how the outcome of elections is shaped by party leadership, communications, policy, the media, and more.</p><p>The course will include key elections in contemporary British politics.<br>• 1974: 'Who rules Britain?' Two general elections.<br>• 1979: Thatcher elected<br>• 1997: Blair/New Labour elected<br>• 2010: Coalition government elected.<br>• 2019: Boris Johnston. Getting Brexit done.<br>• 2024: Change. Labour election victory.<br>The influence of the below will be assessed:<br>• Political rhetoric: key methods of political communication including electoral strategy and communications.<br>• Role of leadership and policy.<br>• Overview of key approaches to fundraising, polling research and political campaigning.<br>• Changes to electoral partisanship and voting patterns.<br>• Contemporary media and the shaping of the political agenda.</p><p>• Understand key approaches to party campaigns in the general election.<br>• Assess the key issue of whether incumbent governments lose elections or whether opposition parties win them.<br>• Assess the influence of factors such as funding, campaigning, and the media.</p><p>This course is introductory, and everyone is welcome. No prior knowledge is necessary. A good grasp of English, an open mind, and a willingness to listen to different views are all that is required.</p><p>The course will be delivered through a mixture of lecture and discussion, with student participation invited and encouraged. Optional “extend your knowledge” tasks can be set if required.</p><p>There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring a pen and paper, or digital equivalents, for making notes.</p><p>Browse City Lit's range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Politics, Economics & Current Affairs Courses</a> for more options.</p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/refer-a-friend" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Give a friend £20 off their first course</strong></a><br>And you will also get £20 off your next course over £99.</p>Politics & economicsBritish politics & societyvirtual11113990HPC312NONEThu22/10/26 - 12/11/2610:15 - 12:1510:1512:154 sessions (over 4 weeks)41 to 4 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley StreetIan McGarvieBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-10-22T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeOct 2026Culture, history & humanities139139Political leadership in modern UK politicspolitical-leadership-in-modern-uk-politics/hpc312-2627<p>Explore the history of key general elections in recent British history, including Thatcher’s 1979 victory, the rise of New Labour, and the success and downfall of the Conservatives in the 21st century. Discover how the outcome of elections is shaped by party leadership, communications, policy, the media, and more.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-22 00:00:00<p>This course aims to give you an overview of how elections are conducted, with a focus on political communication and election campaigning in recent elections in the UK. The course will assess the effectiveness of party policy and leadership, including the recent general election.</p><p>Explore the history of key general elections in recent British history, including Thatcher’s 1979 victory, the rise of New Labour, and the success and downfall of the Conservatives in the 21st century. Discover how the outcome of elections is shaped by party leadership, communications, policy, the media, and more.</p><p>The course will include key elections in contemporary British politics.<br>• 1974: 'Who rules Britain?' Two general elections.<br>• 1979: Thatcher elected<br>• 1997: Blair/New Labour elected<br>• 2010: Coalition government elected.<br>• 2019: Boris Johnston. Getting Brexit done.<br>• 2024: Change. Labour election victory.<br>The influence of the below will be assessed:<br>• Political rhetoric: key methods of political communication including electoral strategy and communications.<br>• Role of leadership and policy.<br>• Overview of key approaches to fundraising, polling research and political campaigning.<br>• Changes to electoral partisanship and voting patterns.<br>• Contemporary media and the shaping of the political agenda.</p><p>• Understand key approaches to party campaigns in the general election.<br>• Assess the key issue of whether incumbent governments lose elections or whether opposition parties win them.<br>• Assess the influence of factors such as funding, campaigning, and the media.</p><p>This course is introductory, and everyone is welcome. No prior knowledge is necessary. A good grasp of English, an open mind, and a willingness to listen to different views are all that is required.</p><p>The course will be delivered through a mixture of lecture and discussion, with student participation invited and encouraged. Optional “extend your knowledge” tasks can be set if required.</p><p>There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring a pen and paper, or digital equivalents, for making notes.</p><p>Browse City Lit's range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Politics, Economics &amp; Current Affairs Courses</a> for more options.</p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/refer-a-friend" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Give a friend £20 off their first course</strong></a><br>And you will also get £20 off your next course over £99.</p>Politics & economicsBritish politics & societyconfigurable
135361677British politics & societyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs/british-politics-society1/2/285/1177/1677/135361/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/British politics & society
