L and C only matter / 2 party system

Every Gov since 1945 been L or C

-Seat share never below 80% 2024 got 57% vote A = FPTP = winners bonus 2 parties constantly overrepresented

Have big impact on Gov. e.g. 2010 Coalition and 2017 confidence and supply

Third party needed to stabilise gov. 2024 reform had big impact on election results – who in power 14% vote. Split Tory vote Labour won by default. 2019 Brexit party no stand in Tory seat took Lab votes

Every Gov. since 1945 led by either Lab/Tory eval

2 party 2010 &17 rare results only 2/15 parliaments hung over 40 yrs, return to normal 19 & 24.- short lived impact Maybe Brexit cause, volatile time B politics Despite declining V share S share unaffected

every Gov. since 1945 led by either Lab/Tory - counter

Have big impact on Gov. e.g. 2010 Coalition and 2017 confidence and supply

Lab & Tory main source of policy ideas

-Simplified choice when binary, clear choice for public. Contrast between collectivism and individualism. A = broad church parties representing left and right wings – Partisan alignment influenced by historical class links – people felt have to vote certain way – WC = Lab

MC and Wealthy = Tory

Lab & Tory main source of policy ideas - counter

Minor parties influence policies of main parties

Lab & Tory main source of policy ideas - eval

Multi - Partisan alignment ended (less loyalty) Swing voters now 40%. More open less predictable Policy impacts considered long term even not in power e.g. UKIP effect UK for long time Brexit

Minor parties influence policies of main parties

-Green party: all 3 main P have green agenda: lab = “Green prosperity plan”, GB energy. Tories = “Vote blue get green” - UKIP = Most successful only 1 MP ever managed to achieve aim of leaving A= Votes matter in marginal seats (FPTP) . 2024 34% seats considered marginal. Main parties adopt policies from small ones e.g. Green to gain votes – crucial

They receive most funding and spend most on Campaign

-2019 combined 80% all private donations to parties’ direct correlation won 80% seats -2024 Lab got £10mil in final month before Elec. 2x more than all other parties combined – Large majority. A = outspend rivals on Campaigning = digital advertising, private polling, campaign managers

They receive most funding and spend most on Campaign - counter

Regional parliaments operate under mult

They receive most funding and spend most on Campaign - eval

Genuine multi-party systems operate in UK 2019-24, 6 diff P’s held Gov. at same time. UK Tory, Scot SNP & Green, Wales Lab, NI DUP & Sinn Fein Funding caps reduce impact of party finance - £30,000 per constituency

Regional parliaments operate under multi

Scot : Lib Dem, Lab, SNP, Green held some power since 1999 – Green in coalition recent A = use AMS acts more proportional, smaller parties representation- matter in other Parliaments NI = Sinn Fein, DUP & Alliance share power A = Good Friday depends on cooperation of regional parties. Delivers multi member constituencies No Tory or Lab

Conclusion

·The decline of minor parties such as UKIP is mis-represented.  The “Farage Movement” has evolved, establishing and rebranding his right-wing populism under Reform UK. 

·2024 – set a record for the lowest vote share for 2-main parties – with minor parties receiving 44% of the vote. 

·extremely significant impact between 2010 – 2019 in all areas – share in government, influence on policy