Our new report on December’s general election reveals the scale of tactical voting in 2019 - nearly one in three voters felt they couldn't vote for the candidate they wanted to win
electoral-reform.org.uk/voters-left-vo…
electoral-reform.org.uk/voters-left-vo…
It's much easier for some parties to get candidates elected than others - those with voters spread out across the country are particularly punished 
That's because not all votes make a difference under Westminster's First Past the Post system - some are decisive and get candidates elected, some go to candidates who don't get elected leaving voters unrepresented and some go to elected candidates, so are surplus to requirements
Interestingly, while Labour often worry about piling up surplus votes in safe seats, the Conservatives had a higher proportion of surplus votes.
With so many safe seats, a higher proportion of votes were surplus (going to candidates that were already elected) in England than the rest of the UK
Within England, these votes were piling up in the East of England, with the most narrow wins in the North East.
Turnout was down on 2017, but still up recent years
You would think that the Conservatives would have done significantly better compared to 2017 to win a large majority, but Boris Johnson only won 1.3% more votes than Theresa May. The Lib Dems had the largest percentage point increase but lost a seat.
