Khaki election facts for kids

A khaki election is a special kind of national election. It happens when a country is at war, or has just finished a war. The feelings and events of the war strongly influence how people vote. The term "khaki" comes from the color of the military uniforms worn by soldiers during the Second Boer War.

What is a Khaki Election?

A khaki election is when a country's election is greatly affected by war. This can be during a war or right after one. People might vote for leaders who they think are strong during wartime. They might also vote based on how the war made them feel.

The First Khaki Election

The term "khaki election" first appeared in Britain. This was during the 1900 United Kingdom general election. The election happened while the Second Boer War was still going on. The Conservative Party, led by Lord Salisbury, won that election. They defeated the Liberal Party, which was not working well together. The name came from the khaki uniforms worn by the British Army soldiers in the war.

Other Khaki Elections in Britain

The idea of a khaki election was used again for other British elections:

• The 1918 United Kingdom general election took place at the end of World War I. The wartime government, led by David Lloyd George, won by a huge amount. This showed that people supported the leaders who guided them through the war.
• The 1945 United Kingdom general election happened after World War II ended in Europe. It was also during the final days of the war in the Pacific. Even though Winston Churchill was a wartime hero, the Labour Party leader, Clement Attlee, won by a lot. This shows that sometimes people want change after a war.
• The 1983 United Kingdom general election is another example. The Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher won this election. Before the election, many people were unhappy with the government because of money problems. However, the Falklands War had just ended. This war, along with other political parties not agreeing, helped the Conservatives win again.

Khaki Elections Around the World

The term "khaki election" is also used in other countries:

• In Canada, the 1917 Canadian federal election happened during World War I. Sir Robert Borden's Unionist Party won a majority. They allowed soldiers and their families to vote, which helped them win.
• In Australia, the term is also used. In 2015, the Labor Party (the opposition party) said that the government was trying to create a khaki election. They said the government was focusing too much on national security and military actions. This was in response to concerns about threats from terrorist groups.