Transforming the mosaic - The Visualization of Spatial Social Structure - page 163

'55

'59

Ten British General
Elections 1955-1987
Non-Voting by
Constituency

23.2% 21.3%

'64 '66 '70

23.2% 24.5% 28.5%

February October

'74 '74 '79

21.4% 27.4% 24.4%

adjusted

'79 '87

'83

23.5% 28.2% 25.1%

Figure 5.22 The pattern of abstentions by registered voters changes slowly. The
North East of England has now a lower turnout and that in Northern Ireland rose
and then fell. The area of the West Midlands that contains many people who do
not vote has also swelled in size. Overall the average turnout has been between
71 % and 79 %, tending to be higher locally in marginal seats, but sometimes also
in safe ones.