CM3 - Political Parties in the UK

What are the 5 main political parties and where do they position themselves on the spectrum ?

What have traditionally been the ideas of the Conservative Party ?

• The Establishment ( monarchy, tradition and hierarchy )

• Market forces and free enterprise

• Low taxations

• Reducing the state’s intervention, small welfare state ( anti-“nanny” State )

What ideas did Thatcher bring when she became leader of the Conservative Party ?

• Anti Welfare

• Anti Europe

• Anti-unions

• Pro-denationalisation and pro-privatisation

• Pro-deregulation

• Pro-detaxation

• Pro-individualism

When were the Liberal Democrats created ?

• The Whighs in the late 18th century ( second oldest party )

• Became The Liberal Party in 1859

• Formed the Liberal Democrats in 1988

• They were in power before WW2

What are the Lib Dems main policies ?

• Pro-European Union membership

• Pro-constitutional change

• Were anti-war in Irak

They were popular with students until the coalition in 2010

When was the Labour Party created ?

• in 1900

• Grew from a coalition of socialists, Marxists, social democrats and trade unionists

What is the ideology of the Labour Party ?

• democratic socialism

• representation and protection of workers

• strong welfare state

• social justice and progress

How did Tony Blair change The Labour Party ?

• modernized the party

• Changed the way the party worked by loosening the links to trade unions

• Change the policies → move to the center-right

What are the smaller parties in the UK ?

• Green Party

• UKIP ( UK Independence Party ) : pro-Brexit and very anti-Europe

• Plaid Cymru ( Wales ) : left wing, seeks more devolved power from Westminster

• SNP ( Scottish National Party ) : left wing, pro-Scottish independence and pro-Europe

• Democratic Unionist Party ( Northern Ireland ) : Loyalist, Protestant and pro-UK

• Social Unionist and Labour Party ( Northern Ireland ) : Republican, Catholic and pro-independence

• Ulster Unionist Party ( Northern Ireland ) : Loyalist, Protestant and pro-UK

• Sinn Féin ( Northern Ireland ) : Republican, Catholic and pro-independence

How do the Labour Party and Conservative Party obtain funding ?

• All receive money from the state

• Labour : funded by trade unions and individual donors

• Conservative: funded by the donations from industries and businesses