Why conservative voters handle election outcomes better than Labour voters

[hidinginplainsight2]

It's been 14 years since Labour and Remainers have won a large vote, but you wouldn't know it. Every panel show seems determined to tell Conservative and Brexit voters how stupid they are, as if those doing the bashing are the majority. For instance, shows like BBC's Question Time and Have I Got News For You have often featured heated debates where Conservative and Brexit supporters are frequently criticised.

Now that they’ve actually won a vote, the annoyance will surely be even louder. In the 2019 general election, the Conservatives won a significant majority, securing 365 seats compared to Labour's 202. Similarly, the 2016 Brexit referendum saw 52% of voters choosing to leave the EU, yet the aftermath was marked by continuous debates and criticisms from Remain supporters.

I can't see Conservative voters taking the same stance as Labour voters have for years and telling their opposition how stupid they are.

I guess Conservative voters must be the bigger people.

@KeirSpoutsTwaddle exactly, I'm lumping brexit voters and conservative voters into the same bracket for this because in both cases the reaction to the vote being won was relentless criticism by people claiming to be more intelligent while being ignorant that other views exist.

It's so loud and unbearable that people don't declare they voted for the winning party, because the criticism and judgement is too much. I remember the day brexit was announced and the remainders could not believe it, because they hadn't been in contact with anyone who voted brexit, of course they had, the brexit voters just didn't admit to it because they didn't want the abuse.

OP, I do think it has got worse in recent years due to the terrible things the Tory government have done (Covid parties, lies, Liz Truss etc). This makes people angry, which in turn can make more people have a vitriolic attitude. I know I feel very angry at the Conservatives for many reasons, and sometimes it does feel difficult to control the 'f*ck the Tories' attitude. I'm not saying it's acceptable, but for a lot of people it comes from anger at the damage the Conservatives have done.

Totally this. I have got some really intelligent friends who are Labour supporters and think it's fine to go on about 'vile Tory c*nts' in every other sentence. Social media is a real Left echo chamber and it gets very very nasty. Right wing voters don't tend to spout their vitriol all over the internet. I don't know why this is.

Conservatives are classier .

But you could say the same things about Labour when they were in power from 1997 to 2010. During their tenure, there were highly unpopular decisions and actions, such as the Iraq War, the 2008 financial crisis, and various controversies surrounding MPs' expenses.

I understand the frustration with recent events. However, it's worth noting that political dissatisfaction and anger can arise from actions taken by any party in power, not just the Conservatives and at no point did I see the slogan "f* the left" over decisions made by labour.

This should be good. Hang on, I'm just getting my popcorn..

I do find a large number of labour supporters are prone to nastiness and hurling insults. They can’t seem to accept people have different perspectives. I generally don’t see the same nastiness from the right. A quick look on MN over the last few weeks will support this.

People who voted conservative voted for Rishi’s government - a pretty moderate and centre ground (apart from the Rwanda scheme) lot. Not much difference politically speaking from a centre ground Labour gov and not huge political divisions. I haven’t seen any frothing from moderate Tories because they are sensible types. I haven’t seen any crowing from centre ground Labourites because they won and are busy getting on.
Reform voters and Corbynites bring out the absolute worst.
On HIGNFY they skewer the worst excesses of the Tory government - this is a party that allowed Boris to party, Hancock to weep, Liz Truss to add £££ on our mortgages - it’s a time for reflection on this not deflection OP.

I’m a labour supporter (LD in locals) but agree completely. In 1997 there was a similar big push to “get the tories out” for all the reasons said above. But compared to the current lot, they look like titans. Never thought I’d see myself agreeing with the likes of Major and Heseltine but even they seem disparaging of the current Tories.

For the self declared more intelligent voters, slogans like "cull the Tories" and "f* the Tories" show nothing but bullying. These phrases do not contribute to meaningful political discourse and instead foster an environment of hostility and division. Intelligent debate should focus on policies, actions, and ideas rather than resorting to derogatory and aggressive language. Bullying tactics undermine the democratic process and prevent constructive conversations that are essential for a healthy political landscape.

True @hidinginplainsight2. I think the Conservatives' actions have just been so extreme and have directly affected so many people (Iraq war was awful and a dreadful decision, but many people here had little to no involvement, unlike Covid where we were all affected). Liz Truss' budget disaster has directly impacted many people financially, and the covid lies were extremely upsetting for many. You could absolutely say the same about the 2008 financial crisis, but I think there have been more direct impacts from the last few years of the Conservatives than any govt I can remember. I work in education (and did so under Labour), and the difference is startling. The lack of Conservative investment is really showing, and makes me want to cry! People are very angry, perhaps as the impact of Conservative rule on them has been more 'direct' if you know what I mean. I'm certainly way more personally affected than I ever was under Labour. However, I agree that people should channel their anger more sensibly. Swearing and vitriol gets people nowhere, and is just rude.

Yanbu. People on the right just say what they think and that’s it. People on the left have to follow up how they think with why you should think the same way, and how much of an idiot you are if you don’t.

IME.

Have you read MN over the last 6 weeks? Stoical is not a word I’d use to describe the Tory voters on here.

Op this has been my experience too. I have a circle of friends who are all fairly wealthy and are very much labour supporters.
The vitriol they have towards Tories is really strong. I'm very central in my political views and lean more towards conservative but I could never admit that to them because it would send shockwaves and they'd genuinely just get angry and be disgusted.
Because I'm centralist and do back some labour policies, I've been able to blend in well.

I also found it strange during the pandemic that labour supporters were more likely to follow rules set by the conservatives that they hated so much whilst the conservatives supporters were less likely to be as strict and could happily argue against them.

Yes I agree I think because it's personal for lots of people.

Many many peoples live has been affected in a big way (huge cost of living, school system falling apart, NHS crumbling, etc) which is causing people to struggle.

I guess for some wealthy people sometimes it's a bit abstract as they aren't using state schools/public health so it's just which policies boost their wealth... So it's frustrating but not int he same way as something that affects your health, education and life of those around you.

Yes I know what you mean. The simple act of wanting to put Britain and British people at the front of the queue gets you labelled gammon, bigot etc.
Tell them women don't have penise's is like throwing petrol in a raging fire.
They can't engage in calm and sensible debate so resort to threats and name calling because they don't have the intelligence to respect the point of view of others.
They are all so depressingly predictable in their views

So the difference between seeing something as immoral and seeing something as not optimum for your wealth.

Obviously more to it than that and not the case for all but I think thats a huge underlying factor.

It's got to the point as others have said where their lovely friends who also happen to be labour supporters are so aggressive about other political views that I now stay quiet when these unscheduled and constant debates happen. I would rather say "I didn't vote" than tell the truth about who I voted for and get an ear full of why I must be an idiot.

You're the one coming on here labelling people and creating division.

And tarring everyone with the same brush.

Attacking me for expressing a viewpoint is exactly the point of the thread.

I totally agree, and I (eventually, unenthusiastically) voted Labour. The left's air of moral superiority and its inability to engage with or understand the issues which drive people to vote for right-of-centre parties, and above all its palpable contempt for those people, are no doubt a big turn-off for a lot of voters.

This post seems to be doing exactly what you claim doesn’t happen.

Remainders were very vocal after Brexit was voted through.
But they were people made up of all political persuasions.
So if your point in this thread is that those who are right wing leaning are more accepting in defeat, including Brexit doesn't support that point.

If it cheers you at all, I have people of different points if view I can discuss politics with in a 'let's discuss' way and the conversation isn't just clanging saucepans at each other.

I don't feel I can generalise anything as I see a lot of animosity from both sides.

💯 this.

I would also add they never seem to be happy so expect them to be miserable even when they have their party in government.