BIG ISSUE NORTH: As time goes by

Description

A range of factors are thought to be linked to the likelihood of voting in an election. Some are about individuals, such as their age, qualifications, household type, social class and social networks. Other factors are external including the closeness of the election, the weather and, in the past, even what is on TV.

On demand TV has probably lessened the impact of TV schedules, but back in 1964 the prime minister Harold Wilson reportedly asked the BBC to delay a screening of an episode of the popular comedy Steptoe and Son, thinking it would deter Labour voters from going to the polls.