10.3886/ICPSR02615.v2 Heath, A. Jowell, R. Curtice, J.K. Norris, P. Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research 1999 economic conditions ethnic identity European Union national elections national identity nationalism nationalization political attitudes political change political influences public opinion quality of life social attitudes social change social class social issues trends trust in government voter attitudes voting behavior voting patterns world politics 1999-01-21 2000-01-18 2615 2 For this cross-section survey, respondents were interviewed following the May 1, 1997, British General Election. A total of 3,615 respondents were successfully interviewed, 882 of them in Scotland. The survey involved personal interviews with a random sample of British adults who were asked to complete a survey supplement following the interview. The aims of the 1997 survey were (1) to compare the voting behavior and issues of identity north and south of the Scottish border, (2) to analyze the interaction among long-term structural trends, medium-term economic and other influences, and short-term political factors, (3) to explore the manner in which those factors influence electoral outcomes, and (4) to draw international comparisons on the impact of electoral institutions on voting behavior and on attitudes toward elections. Fieldwork was conducted in May-August 1997. Topics covered the campaign leading to the 1997 elections, participation in 1997 local elections, political knowledge, trust in government, images of British leadership, and views on British political parties, the European Union, Northern Ireland, nuclear weapons, unemployment, inflation, nationalization and privatization of companies, redistribution of income, women's rights, the role of government in social policy, abortion, ethnic minorities, the British economy, and the future of governmental institutions such as the House of Lords. Background information on respondents includes age, sex, race, ethnicity, political party, political orientation, marital status, number of members in household, social class, employment history, health insurance status, citizenship, country of birth, voter registration and participation history, household income, education, religion, parents' employment history, parents' voting behavior, spouse's employment history, and union membership.