The 2015 United Kingdom General Election: A Landslide Victory for the Conservatives

A Conservative Majority

The Conservative Party emerged victorious in the 2015 United Kingdom general election, winning a 12-seat majority in parliament. This marked a significant shift in the political landscape, as the Labour Party, which had been in power since 1997, suffered heavy losses. The most notable gains for the Conservatives were in England, where they gained over 20 seats.

Labour's Decline

Labour's losses were particularly severe in Scotland, where the Scottish National Party (SNP) made substantial inroads. The SNP won 56 of the 59 seats in Scotland, effectively wiping out Labour's presence in the region. The Liberal Democrats, who had been in coalition with the Conservatives since 2010, also suffered heavy losses, dropping from 57 seats to just 8.

UKIP's Strong Showing

The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) emerged as a significant force in the election, despite only winning one seat. UKIP achieved the third highest share of the vote, capitalizing on a surge of support for Euroscepticism and anti-immigration sentiment. This result suggests that UKIP could play a significant role in future British politics.

House of Commons Results

The overall results of the election gave the Conservatives 331 seats in the House of Commons, Labour 232 seats, the SNP 56 seats, and the Liberal Democrats 8 seats. The remaining seats were won by smaller parties and independents.