Evaluate The View That the Labour and Conservative Parties are the Only Parties That Matter in UK Politics. (30)

AGREE 1

The FPTP voting system greatly reduces the power and relevance of smaller parties and benefits the LAB and CON party who are the only parties that have been in power since WW2

1. Reform 4m rewarded 5 seats (2024). ERS suggests reform would've won 100 seats with PR

2. UKIP 5m votes rewarded 1 seat (2015)

3. 2019 CON won 365 seats with 43% of the vote whereas LD only won 11 seats with 12%

FPTP voting system makes it extremely difficult for parties other than LAB or the CON to succeed.

DISAGREE 1

There has been occasional breakthroughs by smaller parties

In the 2026 Gorton and Denton by-election the LAB and CON party finished 3rd and fourth beaten by Reform and the Green party who won the seat. This victory overturned a constituency that had been held by labour for nearly 100 years.

Electorate is becoming more divided and is challenging the two-party system

AGREE 2

Even when in coalition, the major parties tend to dominate government and policy

Conservative party's austerity policies dominated, and Lib Dems were not able to keep their tuition fee promises.

Smaller parties are unable to significantly influence government policy - the UK remains as a 2 party system

DISAGREE 2

Minor parties have had a lot more electoral success in devolved bodies and have been able to hold a significant amount of power and influence over policy as a result.

The SNP has been in power in Scotland since 2007 and has been able to make significant policy changes such as abolishing prescription charges and tuition fees

Can shape meaningful policy in devolved regions.

AGREE 3

Con and LAB made massive impacts to policy

1. Thatcher made significant changes to economic policy including the privatisation of industries such as British air ways. She also pursued low taxation and reduced government spending

2. Blair government implemented significant constitutional reforms such as devolution to Scotland and Wales and the introduction of the HRA as well as leading the UK into the Iraq war.

demonstrates the two main parties' ability to drive major policy change

DISAGREE 3

Smaller parties can influence policy indirectly by putting pressure on the two main parties

1. For example, UKIP's rise in the early 2010s forced the Conservatives to take a tougher stance on Europe, leading David Cameron to promise a Brexit referendum in 2013.

2. Green party has raised concerns over environmental issues pushing LAB and CON to adopt environmental policy's such as the net-zero carbon target.

Forces the 2 main parties to address emerging issues.