‘Independents', ‘Switchers' and Voting for Third Parties in Britain 1979–92

It is frequently assumed that the increase in electoral support for third parties in Britain after 1970 was a consequence of a decline in party identification and an increase in vote switching, which themselves were symptoms of dealignment. Initial analysis of BES data shows that ‘Independents’ were not more likely to vote for third parties. On the other hand, vote switchers were more likely to do so even when a variety of other factors is taken into account. More detailed analysis finds that ‘Independents’ were more likely than Labour or Conservative identifiers to vote for third parties. Nonetheless vote switchers provide such parties with a larger pool of potential supporters.