Factors effecting party success

7 Factors effecting party success

• leadership

• party funding and resources

• political performance

• national circumstances

• party polices

• electoral system media

Theory and examples for and against party leadership affecting party success

• A charismatic leader can attract voters

• 2019: Boris Johnson’s leadership and “Get Brexit Done” message helped Conservative majority

• 2022: Johnson’s personality did not prevent resignation after Partygate and ministerial resignations

Theory and examples for and against party funding and resources affecting party success

• Money funds campaigns and raises awareness

• 2024: Labour outspent Conservatives on social media

• 2024: Liberal Democrats relied on media stunts rather than high spending. Greens 1.7 million vs reform 5.5. million - 4 vs 5 seats

Theory and examples for and against political performance affecting party success

• Performance of the incumbent affects voter intent

• 2024: Labour benefitted from Conservative scandals and instability; 48% voted Labour to “get the Tories out

• YouGov 2024: public felt Labour and Conservative policies both “unrealistic” and “unaffordable”

Theory and examples for and against national circumstances affecting party success

• Governments rewarded/punished for handling major events

• 2019: Conservatives’ Brexit campaign helped them win

• Despite austerity after the financial crash, Conservatives still won successive elections (2010–2024)

Theory and examples for and against party policies affecting party success

• Manifesto policies attract/repel voters

• 2015: Conservatives included EU referendum to stop losing votes to UKIP

• In valence issues (broad agreement), policy matters less

Theory and examples for and against media affecting party success

• Media endorsement can shape voter perceptions

• 2024: The Sun backed Labour for first time since 2005; strong social media use

• Ofcom 2024: newspaper readership continues to decline; majority use social media for news

Theory and examples for and against electoral system affecting party success

• FPTP favours major parties; PR favours smaller parties

• 2024: Labour won 34% of votes but 64% of seats

• 2017: Conservatives won 42% of votes but only 49% of seats; 2015 SNP 4.7% of votes but 9% of seats

6 arguments why political parties are good for democracy

• Provide genuine political choice, encouraging participation

• Allow voters to hold governments accountable

• Simplify complex issues, improving political education

• Recruit and train political leaders

• Organise government and opposition, creating stability

• Adversary politics ensures scrutiny between elections

6 arguments why political parties are bad for democracy

• Risk becoming narrow elites dominated by wealthy donors

• Polarisation undermines consensus

• Reliance on funding raises transparency concerns

• Whips limit MP independence and local representation

• Internal factions undermine unity and policy delivery

• Declining membership suggests weakening public engagement