similarities of internal unity within parties (US vs UK)

Topic 1

Presence of factors within major parties

US 1

Both US and UK political parties consist of diverse factions representing different ideological wings, often leading to internal conflict.

In US, factions within the democrat and republican parties range widely, from progressives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to moderates like Joe Biden on the democrats' side, and from moderate republicans, also known as RINOs like Mitt Romney to the pro-Trump (MAGA populist) faction within the republican party.

UK 1

UK conservative party includes both centrist one nation members like Boris Johnson, Thatcherites, and hardline Brexiteers from ERG like Jacob Rees-Mogg, while the labour party has socialist factions led by Jeremy Corbyn known as Old Labour and more centrist factions aligned with Starmer and Blair, known as New Labour.

Similarity 1

This is a similarity because both US and UK parties house a variety of ideological perspectives, leading to internal party tensions.

This is cultural analysis, examining how ideological diversity within parties reflects broader societal values and cultural divides, leading to factionalism.

Topic 2

Pressure for unity on key votes

US 2

Both UK and US parties enforce unity on significant legislative votes.

In the US, party leaders work to secure votes on critical issues, such as budget legislation, where party cohesion is essential.

Example:

When Obama passed the affordable care act (2010), the bill passed only with democrat support. Democrat leaders pressured moderate democrats and “blue dog democrats” with warnings about losing desirable committee position, losing party backing on their propositions, applying pressure for unity.

UK 2

In UK, party discipline is similarly strong on important votes, especially confidence votes or critical legislative decisions like Brexit.

Example:

Under Theresa May, in Brexit Meaningful Vote (2019), conservative MPs were placed under 3 line whip. 21 conservative MPs rebelled, and had their whip removed, losing their party membership.

Similarity 2

In both countries party leadership works to present a united front on high stake issues. This is a similarity because both systems have mechanism and expectations for party unity on key issues, even if factions within the parties exist.

Rational theory-as congressmen, MPs are incentivised to vote along the party line to protect their careers.

Topic 3

Internal discontent can lead to tension with the leadership

US 3

In both systems, disunity can trigger leadership challenges or significant shifts within the party.

In US, internal opposition affects party dynamics and has impacted the influence of leaders like Trump, where factions like the traditional conservatives and moderates have occasionally resisted his influence.

Example:

In a 219 to 211 vote, six Republican lawmakers joined Democrats to back a resolution that seeks to end the tariffs Trump imposed on Canada in 2025.

One of them was republican representative Thomas Massie from Kentucky, a member of fiscal conservative faction of republican party.

UK 3

In UK, party leaders face moral challenges more frequently, as seen with Conservative leaders like Bojo, who faced internal pressure that eventually led to their resignations.

Example:

The Confidence Vote (June 2022): Following the "Partygate" scandal and mounting pressure, Conservative MPs held a vote on his leadership. Johnson won the vote with 59% of his MPs supported him, while 41% voted to remove him.

While Johnson won the vote and was technically immune from another challenge for 12 months under party rules, the large rebellion (41% of his party) severely weakened his authority, and further wave of resignation of big beasts like Sunak, forced his resignation.

Similarity 3

This is a similarity because internal divisions can lead to leadership challenges or power struggles within both US and UK parties.

This is rational analysis as it focuses on how party members act in their interests, initiating leadership challenges when dissatisfaction with leadership grows.