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Swingometer - Definition and Overview |
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The swingometer is a graphic device used to illustrate the shift in election results from the previous election. It was closely associated with Professor Robert (Bob) McKenzie (Canada) in his work for the BBC in their 1970s election night broadcasts.
Initally the swingometer was a physical device, but computer graphics are now used. Peter Snow took over responsibility for the "Swingometer" on the BBC following the death of Robert McKenzie.
Still used extensively in UK election coverage and less so in US. It enables the viewer to see a possible translation of changes in voting trends into parliamentary seats. It requires homogeniety in the electorate which also explains its preponderance in UK elections. It is essentially a harmless device used to fill long periods between results and appears to be largely discarded once sufficient results have been announced in favour of more sophisticated analysis.
The swingometer started off in the 1955 general election as simply a piece of cardboard, but will for the 2005 election become an example of technical wizardary apparently floating in mid air. Recent repeat showings of past general elections on BBC Parliament have shown how the swingometer evolved (although for the 1983 and 1987 general elections, the device was not used)
External links
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Example Usage of Swingometer |
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ThePickards: @krishgm you weren't standing next to a Swingometer, were you? |
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ChloeS: Loving this history lesson in data presentation via @bbccouk: evolution of election "Swingometer" viz from '55-'95: http://bit.ly/3zrXi3 |
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stevengw: Alan Johnson: We were wrong on immigration. David Cameron: Czech ratification means I'll cancel EU referendum. Swingometer flings to left! |
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