This report represents the findings of independent research on voting behaviour in the local elections on the 4th May 2006. The primary data was collected on Mill Road, in the Romsey Ward of Cambridge.

The aim of this investigation is two fold. Firstly to gain more detailed information about how people use their vote and secondly to grapple with why non-voters did not vote.

Whilst, by necessity, the sample size was relatively small (256 respondents) it is large enough for us draw tentative conclusions. There are a number of indicators from this study to suggest the following:-


• The electoral role does not adequately reflect those of voting age who live in the area.
• Labour voters are less willing to admit who they vote for than voters of other parties.
• Green and Respect voters appear to be far more proud of their affiliation.
• Voters appear to be split into establishment and non-establishment spheres
• Conservative and Green voters are the most loyal, or tribal, in their voting habits and the least likely to vote if their party had not stood in the election.
• Those who voted for Respect are the most likely to have voted even if their party had not stood.
• This means that the Greens or Conservatives had most influence over voter turnout, and Respect the least.
• Significant numbers of people of voting age are legally unable to vote.
• Many people did not know that an election is taking place.
• A large group of people know there are elections on but consciously decide not to vote.
• Only Green voters feel any strong affinity with Respect in this ward.
• Respect appears to be the ‘marmite option’ in that voters either love it or hate it.
• There was a significant number of people who did not vote Tory but would consider it, quite possibly on tactical considerations in a ward where the Conservatives were never going to win.
• Voters of all parties find the Lib Dems the least 'offensive' alternative option.
• There are strong indications that if Respect and the Greens had stood one candidate each in the two vote ward the Respect vote would have increased 89 votes or more and the Green vote increased 98 votes or more bringing them close to beating a Labour candidate.


As it's so big I've hosted it elsewhere... so you can read the full report here:-

 http://socialistunitynetwork.co.uk/activate/Election2006/cambridgevotersurveysummary.htm

To give you a good idea of what this 22 page report contains here is the contents

1. Introduction

2. Caution

3. Comparisons to what actually happened

a. voter turnout
b. vote distribution

4. Affinity

5. Non voters

6. Summary by Party

a. Conservatives
b. Green Party
c. Labour Party
d. Liberal Democrats
e. Respect

7. Thanks

8. Appendices

a. the questions asked
b. tables of data collected
c. notes for guidance (survey team)