Political Parties and Their Features

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering features of political parties, key political figures, policies, and significant trends in UK politics.

Features of Parties

• Political parties share similar or identical political views and values (ideology).
• They seek to secure seats for their candidates as representatives in local, regional, and national governments.
• Parties develop a consensus on policy creation, recruit candidates, and identify leaders to advance their ideological goals.
• Manifestos are critical documents where parties articulate their beliefs and promises to the electorate during election campaigns, establishing accountability for the public if the party is elected into government.

What are manifestos?

• Manifestos are comprehensive collections of beliefs, policies, and promises that political parties present to the electorate during election periods.
• They serve both as a campaign tool to attract voters and a means for the public to hold the party accountable for its actions and commitments should it form a government.

Labour's Economy Policies

• Labour's economic strategy includes introducing a fiscal lock aimed at restoring economic stability.
• Key initiatives include addressing tax avoidance and removing non-dom tax loopholes.
• Establishment of Great British Energy, a publicly owned clean energy company.
• Promoting fair wages through the abolition of zero-hour contracts.
• Creating a National Wealth Fund intended to facilitate billions of pounds in private investment, alongside a commitment to end non-dom tax benefits for the wealthy.

Labour's Welfare Policies

• Labour aims to rejuvenate the NHS by significantly increasing appointment availability by 40,000 weekly.
• Investment in new technologies, enhancing mental health services, and emphasizing early diagnosis in health care.
• Plans to ban the use of vapes among youth and increase educational funding to support better health outcomes and public welfare overall.

Labour's Law and Order Policies

• To enhance law and order, Labour proposes increasing police presence and implementing measures to halve violence against women.
• Imposing stricter sentences through the Criminal Justice Act.
• Establishing a new Border Security Command to collaborate with agencies like the Border Force and MI5.
• Allocating funds saved from abandoning the Rwanda asylum plan to hire more investigators and increase intelligence capabilities.

Labour's Foreign Policy

• Labour focuses on implementing legislation that requires military interventions to be legally sanctioned and approved by Parliament.
• Expresses reluctance to support actions that would reverse Brexit.
• Reaffirms commitment to NATO amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
• Considering amendments to Brexit that enhance collaborative engagements with Europe.

Keir Starmer's Leadership Style

• Keir Starmer is seen as a complex leader embodying both right-wing and left-wing characteristics.
• His governance style is described as an attempt to create a political hybrid that resonates with a diverse electorate.
• Critics note that his leadership lacks a clear ideological framework.
• Starmer claims not to adhere to a specific ideology, framing himself as a solution-oriented leader.

Conservative Party's Economy Policies

• The Conservative Party emphasizes fiscal responsibility by implementing public spending cuts.
• Supports maintaining confidence in financial markets and reducing borrowing costs.
• Promotes free trade and introduced measures like the furlough scheme during the COVID pandemic.
• Plans to raise the corporation tax rate from 19% to 25% and support increasing the national living wage.

Conservative Party's Welfare Policies

• The Conservatives have instituted a cap on benefits and maintained a freeze on benefit rates from 2010 to 2019.
• Reduced funding for public services while introducing private sector competition.
• Promised enhancements in NHS funding and efforts to address waiting lists without a clear plan.

How many seats did the Lib Dems get in 2024?

72

Liberal Democrats Policies

• The Liberal Democrats advocate for a fair and prosperous economy that promotes opportunity and well-being.
• Emphasize fiscal responsibility while ensuring taxes do not constitute a burden.
• Social policies include providing fair access to quality public services and ensuring a robust social safety net.
• Promote initiatives such as cutting NHS wait times, facilitating quicker access to GPs, and reinforcing mental health services.

Poll Results (May 2024)

• As per the latest polling data from May 2024, the Labour Party leads with 44%.
• The Conservative Party follows at 24%, with Reform UK at 11%.
• The Liberal Democrats secure 10%, while the Green Party receives 6%.
• The Scottish National Party (SNP) has 3%, and Plaid Cymru stands at 1%.

Emerging and Minor Parties: SNP

• The SNP focuses on welfare issues by providing substantial pay increases for NHS staff.
• Positions itself as a defender of public health services.
• Works to improve police budgets to ensure effective law enforcement.
• Advocates for a tax system proportional to individuals' ability to pay.

Emerging and Minor Parties: Green Party

• The Green Party aims to replace current Personal Independence Payment (PIP) cash assistance with a Universal Basic Income.
• Advocates for the legalization of cannabis and prioritizes community policing reforms.
• Proposes implementing a wealth tax on the top 1% and instituting a living wage of £10 per hour.

Emerging and Minor Parties: Reform UK

• Reform UK argues that reducing illegal migration will alleviate pressures on the welfare system.
• Law and order policies call for increased funding and technological enhancements for policing.
• Opposes illegal migration and supports a points-based system for skilled immigration.

What are reforms have been debated recently?

Abolish FPTP

Introduce Proportional Representation
Reform the HoL by introducing a representative second change

What is evidence for the 2 party system?

Sunak was talking to a conservative voter who has decided he wants to vote for reform in the upcoming election, Sunak responded with “A vote for Reform is a vote for Starmer”, and “There will be one of two PMs, me or Keir Starmer”

What was a key political party rift in 1983?

Labour left-right divided…4 MPs had left and created the SDP in 1981 -> Tory majority. 

What was a key political party rift in 1997?

Major’s Tories divided over Europe -> Labour landslide 

What was a key political party rift in 2017?

May’s government divided over Brexit 

What was a key political party rift in 2019?

Johnson suspended moderate Tories and filled his Cabinet with hard pro-Brexit MPs for a unified front.

What was a key political party rift in 2020?

Conservatives MPs opposed to the Huawei new 5G network plan due to the concern of Chinese government interference on the UK national security and the accusation of no disclosure of impact of COVID (from financial times), which forced Johnson to abandon the plan 

What was a key political party rift in 2023-24?

exit of numerous Labour MP’s due to disagreements over Palestine - Israel conflict like Naz Shah, Afzal Khan,  Jess Philips etc. 

Tory division on Rwanda scheme (tension between Sunak and ex Home Secretary Suella Braverman) and shifting position in economic policy after the resignation ex-PM Liz Truss (45p tax cut to raising tax until late 2023 

) 

How many Mps announced they were steepping down before the 2024 general election?

1 in 5

More than 70 tories

Over 20 from labour

9 SNP

Key Functions of Political Parties

• Political parties represent social groups (e.g., Labour for the working class, Conservatives for business interests).
• They mobilize citizens for political participation through elections.
• Formulate policies that address societal needs based on their ideological stances.
• Recruit political leaders and form governments that drive legislative initiatives.

One-Party System Example

• An example of a one-party system is North Korea, where the ruling party maintains total control over political power.
• Such systems suppress dissent and opposition, often sacrificing individual freedoms for stability.

Two-Party System Example

• The United Kingdom exemplifies a two-party system, primarily dominated by the Conservative and Labour parties.
• This system can limit voter choice, leading to policy convergence, where major parties adopt similar platforms.

Multi-Party System Example

• Countries like Germany operate under multi-party systems characterized by Proportional Representation.
• This system allows a diverse range of parties to participate but can result in unstable coalition governments.

Left-Right Political Ideology

• Political ideologies divide into left and right: left prioritizes social equality and government intervention, while right supports capitalism and limited government.
• For example, the Labour Party promotes a welfare state, and the Conservative Party favors deregulation.

Party Funding Issues

• Political parties face challenges regarding large donations from corporations that can influence policies.
• Regulatory frameworks aim to ensure transparency and fairness in party financing but issues of corruption and elitism persist.

Challenges Facing Political Parties

• Political parties face challenges in voter loyalty, as traditional allegiance declines.
• Electoral systems favor larger parties, leading to diminished representation of smaller parties.
• Social media influences political engagement dynamically, enabling direct voter interaction.

Conclusion on Political Parties

• Political parties are fundamental in democratic systems, providing representation, policy choices, and leadership.
• They face challenges such as declining loyalty and evolving voter engagement

Neil Kinnock's media portrayal

Negative media coverage due to the Left-wing manifesto, exemplified by The Sun's headline 'Will the last person to leave Britain please turn out the lights', indicating Kinnock's incompetence to become Prime Minister.

Tony Blair's media presence

Good media presence with control over party messaging, branded New Labour; notable for moderating the party's stance and reforming Clause IV, yet his image was marred by contentious decisions like the Iraq War and increased tuition fees.

Boris Johnson's campaign slogan

Clear messaging of 'Get Brexit Done' in the 2019 Conservative manifesto consolidated party unity, contrasting with May's softer Brexit approach, leading to a gain of 80 seats.

Partygate scandal

Damage to Boris Johnson's reputation stemming from the Partygate scandal.

D-Day incident with PM Sunak

Controversy caused by PM Sunak leaving D-Day commemorations early for a Channel 4 interview, impacting the Conservative campaign for the 2024 General Election

Conservative Labour similarity over the economy?

Labour and Conservatives do not want to have further tax raise: Labour’s first duty is economic stability; Conservatives pledged to deliver tax cuts if they win the general election (Jeremy Hunt) 

Labour and Conservativ over Welafe and Education

Labour aligns with Conservatives to keep the Universal Credit (but seek to reform it) 

Cutting NHS waiting lists: Labour pledged to provide 40K appointments in NHS each week by using the money collected from the “non-dom loopholes” and tax avoidance ( have snce done this with farms but no intention for big business crack down) ; Tories: will cut waiting lists (no clear plan yet) 

Labour Conservative over Gaza?

Gaza-Both Labour and the Conservatives have adamantly backed Israel (bipartisan) 

Labour response has been broadly unified; contrast deep divisions over Israel-Palestine (and foreign policy in general) under Jeremy Corbyn (labelled as antisemitic) 

Starmer: “Israel has the right to self defence”; arguably mirroring government due to upcoming election = consensus 

How many seats did the greens win in the European Parliament election

12% of votes

7 MEP

SNP membershup in 2013 to 2024?

25,000

75,000

Role of political parties

Representation

Participation

Policy formulation

Recruitment and Leadership
Government formation

Gather people with similar ideas

Platforms for future leaders

Why do political parties need funding

Fighting elections

Holding conferences

Carrying out research and develop policies and manifestos
Employing special advisors

What was the labour party income in 2021

45,564,000

What was the Conservative party income in 2021?

31,744,000

What was the Lib Dem income in 2021?

5,733,339

How much money did Labour get form their fees in 2021?

16,187,000

Around 35% of their income

What are some trade unions associated with Labour?

UNISON
UNITE
GMB

What is examples of public funding of political parties currently?

Short Money- support parties to carry out political business :only available to opposition that have won either 2 seats in HOC or 1 seat and more than 150,000 votes

Cranbourne Money- Supports the leaader of the HOL ass well as funding for the office of the leader of opposition

How much did Labour recieve in 2021 from Public Moeny?

15.5% of their total income

6,954,000

How much did the Lib Dems recieve from public funding in 2021?

1,688,000

Who donated significant amount sof owmen to Labour under Blair Brown and Miliband but stopped when Corbyn was the leader? but donated another 2m under Starmer

Lord Sainsbury

Reforms to attempt to limit funding?

Blair gov 2000 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act

What did 2000 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act do?

Banned elections from those who werewnt on Uk electoral role

Report donation sover a certain amount