Who gets the votes of the lesbian and gay electorate? Labour, without a doubt. In the last two general elections, in 1997 and 2001, gay men and women have shown their preferences for Labour. But although winning by a mile, Labour has witnessed a drop in support of  5% in 2001.

Despite having openly gay Cabinet ministers and having lowered the age of consent, Labour seems not to have lived up to the 1997 expectations of the lesbian and gay community. However its gender- and race-inclusive ranks still seem very appealing to women, especially those in the 40-49 age band (59%).

Labour still stands tall with 47% of the votes, especially compared to the 9% granted to the Conservatives. It stands less proud though when compared to the Liberal Democrat Party with 33% of the votes, up 11% in 2001. Charles Kennedy and company are the real opposition and the only alternative to Labour for gay men and women. The Tories lost 4% support in the last election, although they are still favoured by gay men in their 50s (12%), 60s (20%) and 70s (17%), and especially in the South East (15%) and the South West (19%), the richest regions in the country.

And the other parties? The Green Party is particularly popular among lesbians in their 30s and 50s in London (9%), Wales (6%) and the South East (8%), not surprising considering the excellent record of women in environmental issues. However, local parties, such as Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party, registered a small drop in 2001. All the others, from the British National Party to the Socialist Alliance, have 4% support amongst lesbian and gay voters. Is this a vote of protest from the disaffected and disillusioned sections of gay society?

Protest of a different sort is apathy. A total of 14% did not vote in 2001, an increase of 4% since 1997. Sadly it is young voters who are the most guilty, with 22% of teenage lesbians and 26% in the 20-29 age band who didn’t bother to turn out to the polling stations. The 18% proportion of gay men in their 20s also stayed away, a fair indication that young lesbians and gay men match their straight counterparts’ lack of interest and disillusionment with party politics.