• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

  • News
  • Radio
  • Hero Awards
  • Things to do
  • Community
  • More
    • Food & drink
    • Business
  • About
    • Comments
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Corrections & complaints
  • Radio
  • WIN
  • Vouchers
  • Listen live »
York Theatre Royal

Did York swing the election? Question Time special ‘influenced 1m voters’

Mon 4 Dec 2017 @ 8:56pm - News, Politics
YorkMix

Jeremy Corbyn faces David Dimbleby and the Question Time audience at the University of York on June 2. BBC screenshot: YorkMix

More than a million voters in the General Election may have been influenced by the BBC’s Question Time leaders special from York, according to new research.

The programme saw Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn face an audience at the University of York days before the country went to the polls.

Now a study for the Electoral Reform Society found the debate swung a third of viewers’ votes.

Researchers found that 34% of the 2,500 people who were polled before and after they watched the programme said the show helped them make up their mind on who to back.

The total audience for the special was over four million viewers.

Jezza won it

Jeremy Corbyn on the TV screens in the University of York spin room. Photograph: YorkMix

Mr Corbyn gave the best performance, found research by Leeds University, with the strongest swing to the Labour leader among younger viewers – many of whom were undecided before tuning in.

The research also saw a surge in youth engagement in politics, with 80% of 18-24 year olds saying they were interested, compared to 50% in 2015.

Darren Hughes, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said the study showed the importance of TV debates in UK general elections.

York Cycle Campaign
York Cycle Campaign #Ad

“This research is proof that televised election debates are good for our democracy.

“That over 80% of viewers said they talked about the QT special with their friends and family shows it has a positive impact on political engagement. And 40% said the programme made them more interested in the campaign.

“That’s good for all of us.”

Challenging test

Prime Minister Theresa May taking part in the Question Time Leaders Special from York. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau / PA

He added that the swing to back Mr Corbyn suggested the programme “may have had an impact on the final result – particularly when just a few hundred votes in swing seats shifted June’s outcome”.

Question Time presenter David Dimbleby said: “The findings of the election survey confirm what we have always believed – that a Question Time audience given the freedom to ask what they want is a challenging test for politicians.

“Head-to-head debates and one-on-one interviews both have their part to play in elections but the raw experience of facing a Question Time audience offers something quite different.

“Voters speaking from their own experience directly to party leaders expose evasion and test policies in a uniquely revealing way.”

Related YorkMix stories

Election Question Time from York: As it happened

Britain could soon have a Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader both from York

Election 2017 in York: As it happened

Mon 4 Dec, 2017

Footer

YorkMix
News 01904 848 766
Email YorkMix news »
5-6 King's Court, Shambles, York  YO1 7LD
YorkMix Radio
General enquiries 01904 375 029
Studio/competitions 01904 375 030
Email YorkMix Radio »
Selby Superbowl, Bawtry Road, Selby  YO8 8NA
YorkMix is a trading name of YorkMix Media Ltd
Registered in England
Company number: 07814727
VAT number: 154 0364 34
© York Sound Ltd

Copyright © 2023 YorkMix Media Ltd

  • Privacy policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT