politics week 5 facts

etv minor parties have limited impact on uk politics KEY POINTS

impact on election results/ outcomes

impact on policies of 2 main parties

impact on regional politics and government

etv minor parties have limited impact on uk politics IMPACT ON ELECTION RESULTS

limited impact: most succuesful minor parties r regional- unable 2 disrupt 2 party system. snp only competes in scotland. DUP and sinn fein only compete in n.ireland. reform 14% vote only 1% seat 2026. WINNERS BONUS- 2015 combined vote share cons + lab dropped to 66% but still won 84% seats. ;lab + cons led every gov + opposition since 1945

sig impact: 2024 reform only won 5 seats, diverted 14% vote + split right wing vote. 2019 brexit party only stood in labour held seats, led to fall of red wall lab safe seats in north. vote share for 2 main parties at all time low. lab + con 2024 only 56%. reform uk 14% and greens 6% recording their highest ever vote share

etv minor parties have limited impact on uk politics IMPACT OF POLICIES ON 2 MAIN PARTIES

limited: impact of small parties short lived once key policies adopted by big 2. ukip decline: 2015=1.1m, 2019= 22,000. greens 2015; 1.1m 2017= 525,000. immigration control policies: 2026 tighter work visa requirements, end to overseas recruitment for social care roles. env: banning new petrol and diesel car sales. FARAGE BETTER KNOWN THAN BADENOCH

sig impact: all 3 main parties have green agenda. 2015 conservatives “vote blue get green”, 2024 creation of gb nrg-nationalised nrg company investing in renewables. ukip largest party convinced cons/lab to offer brexit referendum in 2015 GE referendum. single issue parties- green, ukip r vulnerable. FPTP marginal seats 150 so votes lost to minor parties can be crucial.

etv minor parties have limited impact on uk pol IMPACT ON REGIONAL POL

limited: parliment remains sovreign. sets foreign, defence and immigration policy. legally can devolve or recall pwrs to westminster. 2nd scottish independence ref must be authorised by westminster, block devolved legislation. 2023 uk gov invoked s35 of scotland act bc of gender recognition act. policy divergence under review. potential end to free tuition and free prescriptions as financial deficit grows.

sig impact: minor parties form gov in regional. SNP long term dominance of scottish parliament since 2007- almost 20 years. greens recently in a cooperation pact w snp until 2024. northern ireland good friday agreement depends on cooperation of regional parties- neither cons nor lab put forward candidates. snp long term policies put into effect in scotland: free tuition fees, prescriptions, 16/17 vote. quasi federalism- regional parliments considered politically sovreign