Constituencies won by a small margin of votes

Marginal seats are constituencies that are won by a small margin of votes, often defined as less than 10%

Competitive and potential to swing the balance of power

Marginal seats are of considerable interest during elections because they are competitive and have the potential to swing the balance of power

Less predictable and frequently changing political hands

Unlike safe seats, which are consistently won by the same party, marginal seats are less predictable and can frequently change political hands

Critical in determining the majority

Marginal seats are often critical in determining the majority in the House of Commons, the lower house of the UK Parliament

Influence on government formation and majority

Marginal seats have the potential to influence the formation of a government or to cause a ruling party to lose its majority

Sensitivity to small shifts in voter preferences

Marginal seats are particularly sensitive to small shifts in voter preferences due to the First-Past-the-Post electoral system employed in the UK

Allocation of resources and attention

Political parties allocate substantial resources and attention to campaign in marginal constituencies due to their strategic significance

Personalized campaign tactics

Campaign tactics in marginal seats include personalized door-to-door canvassing, participation in community events, and addressing local issues

Impact on political involvement and voter turnout

The intense campaigning in marginal seats can lead to greater political involvement and higher voter turnout, as residents recognize the high stakes of their participation in the electoral process