The best graphics to make sense of the general election

Elections can be hard to get your head around. Thankfully, the Independent on Sunday's graphics team are here to help

Thursday 07 May 2015 11:48 BST

Not only the best writing, best photography and best illustration, but also the best graphics. The Independent on Sunday has brought you the best election coverage, with stunning graphics to try to make the complexities of seven-party politics readily intelligible.

Our Playmobil figures for the demographic groups that will decide how the electorate divides. Our super-Venn, full-colour diagram showing the possible combinations of parties and policies in a hung parliament. And John Rentoul’s extraordinary flowchart to guide the reader through the arithmetic and politics of an inconclusive election result.

Click here for an enlarged version of the above graphic

The Independent has got together with May2015.com to produce a poll of polls that produces the most up-to-date data in as close to real time as is possible.

Click the buttons below to explore how the main parties' fortunes have changed:

All data, polls and graphics are courtesy of May2015.com. Click through for daily analysis, in-depth features and all the data you need. (All historical data used is provided by UK Polling Report)

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

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1/6Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Settled Silvers

These are the comfortably-off over-60s, still in work or drawing a decent pension – or both – who are enjoying their entitlements such as the Winter Fuel Allowance, free bus passes and free TV licence. They are worried about immigration and Europe. Both the Conservatives – who are pledging to keep benefits for wealthier pensioners – and Ukip want their votes

Micha Theiner

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Squeezed Semis

Slightly older than the Harassed Hipsters, they are the second key group for Labour’s family-focused election strategy. They are married couples on low to middle incomes who own unpretentious semi-detached homes in suburban areas. In 2001, these were the Pebbledash People sought by the Conservatives. Now the pebbledash is gone and a modest conservatory has been built at the back

Micha Theiner

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Aldi Woman

In 1997 and 2001 she was Worcester Woman – a middle-class Middle Englander shopping at Marks & Spencer and Waitrose. Today, the age of austerity means she still goes to Waitrose for her basic food shop but cannily switches to Aldi for her luxury bargains such as Parma ham and prosecco. Identified by Caroline Flint, she is a key target of both Labour and the Conservatives

Micha Theiner

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Glass Ceiling Woman

In her thirties or forties, she has an established career under her belt, perhaps in the “marzipan layer” – one position below the still male-dominated senior executive level. She is now, according to Nick Clegg, forced into making the “heart-breaking choice” between staying at home to bring up her children and going to work and forking out for high-cost, round-the-clock childcare

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Harassed Hipsters

One of the two key groups identified by Labour as crucial to hand Ed Miliband the keys to Downing Street. Well-paid professional couples, often with children, they live in diverse urban and metropolitan areas rather than the suburbs. More comfortably off than most swing voters, they are time poor – struggling to balance raising a young family with busy work schedules

Micha Theiner

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Neo-Greens

These are mainly first-time voters, though some are in their twenties – students and digital-age generation renters helping to fuel the “Green Surge”. Idealists, but with no tribal loyalty to any party, they are anti-austerity, middle class, living in urban areas. Despite studying at university or recently graduated, they are struggling to find decent jobs and want cheaper housing and a higher minimum wage

Micha Theiner

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The best graphics to make sense of the general election

Elections can be hard to get your head around. Thankfully, the Independent on Sunday's graphics team are here to help

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Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Settled Silvers

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Squeezed Semis

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Aldi Woman

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Glass Ceiling Woman

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Harassed Hipsters

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Neo-Greens

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