2015 United Kingdom general election

Electoral system and where it was held

The election used the first-past-the-post system: the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins the seat. Balloting occurred across constituencies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The main national parties contesting seats included the Conservative Party, the Labour Party and the Scottish National Party, alongside smaller and regional parties; these parties are commonly referenced as the principal actors in the campaign and results: the Conservatives, Labour and the Scottish National Party. The election determined the composition of the lower house and therefore which party or coalition could form the next government.

Campaign themes and background

The campaign took place in the aftermath of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum and during ongoing debates about economic policy, austerity, immigration and public services. Televised debates, party manifestos and local issues shaped voter choices. Smaller parties, including UKIP and the Scottish National Party, had significant media attention; the distribution of votes and seats highlighted the difference between national vote share and constituency-based outcomes.

Results and immediate consequences

The outcome produced a majority government led by the Conservative Party, enabling the incumbent prime minister to remain in office. The result surprised some pollsters and commentators who had predicted a different parliamentary arithmetic. In the immediate aftermath several party leaders announced resignations or changes of leadership and parties began internal reviews of strategy and policy.

Key outcomes and significance

• The election set the composition of the 56th Parliament and determined which party formed the government (56th Parliament).
• It illustrated the effects of first-past-the-post on translating nationwide vote shares into seats across 650 parliamentary constituencies.
• Regionally, results showed distinct patterns, including strong performances by regional parties that influenced national politics.

For more detailed results, seat figures and constituency-level outcomes consult official returns and contemporary analyses which record exact vote totals and seat allocations.